The Meade Activity Center has announced that entrepreneur and philanthropist Todd Wagner will be the guest of honor at the 5th Annual MAC Matters Gala on Friday, March 21, 2014. The MAC is proud to count Mr. Wagner as the fifth keynote speaker at this prestigious event. Previous guests of honor include tennis great Monica Seles, solo artist and member of The Eagles Don Henley, former CBS Evening News anchor Dan Rather, and PGA golfer Kenny Perry.
Todd Wagner is a successful businessman and internet pioneer who has achieved considerable success in the fields of technology, media and entertainment. After becoming a partner in a major law firm in Dallas, he decided to follow his dreams and become a full-time entrepreneur in the emerging Internet sector. In 1995, Wagner joined with fellow Indiana University alumnus Mark Cuban to launch AudioNet, which broadcast live sporting events and radio stations over the Internet. In 1999, Broadcast.com was sold to Yahoo! for $5.7 billion. Wagner continued to lead the business as a division of Yahoo! until May 2000, when he declined an offer to become Yahoo!’s Chief Operating Officer to focus on other interests. Wagner later fused his passion for entertainment with his business portfolio to build the Wagner/Cuban Companies. This vertically integrated portfolio of companies spans content creation, distribution and exhibition of film and entertainment. As CEO of 2929 Entertainment, Wagner has provided artistic vision and business acumen critical to such important films as the Oscar®-nominated Good Night, and Good Luck and Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room. Wagner’s business interests also include a stake in the World Champion Dallas Mavericks, as well as in The Weinstein Company. Wagner continues to invest in and nurture a variety of technology and media start-ups. In addition to his business endeavors, Wagner has made a very substantial commitment of his time, energy and resources to giving back through the Todd Wagner Foundation. For more than a decade, the Foundation has implemented Wagner’s vision of venture philanthropy and invested tens of millions of dollars in cutting-edge programs that empower underserved communities and at-risk youth. Wagner’s Foundation investments include a multi-year commitment to The First Tee’s “Campaign for 10 Million Young People,” of which Wagner himself is a Trustee.
The annual goal of the Gala is to raise funds to move the MAC closer to the construction of a new facility that will provide fitness and recreational opportunities for people of all ages, abilities, and incomes. The emcee for this event will be Todd’s wife Kari Wagner, a Meade County native, whose passion for giving back and love for her community have made her a MAC advocate since its inception.
In addition to Q & A with Todd Wagner, the Gala will feature a gourmet dinner and complimentary cocktail service. New this year will be a “Monte Carlo” themed event provided by Black Diamond Casino Events of Cincinnati. Guests will receive a voucher for $25,000 to bet on games such as Blackjack, Roulette, Craps, Texas Hold’em, Let It Ride and others. No actual money will be gambled; chips won will put players in the running for three prizes to be distributed at the end of the night. Prizes include a Belterra Casino Resort package that includes a night stay for two along with culinary and golf accommodations. Live coverage of NCAA March Madness will also be provided during the event. Tickets will go on sale Monday, February 3 at a cost of $100 per person. Individual tickets or tables of 8 may be purchased on the MAC’s website at www.meadeactivitycenter.org or at the MAC Office, 493 Lawrence Street, Brandenburg, KY 40108.
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