FightNight is turning 30. This year, nearly 1,400 attendees are expected to help The Real Estate Council (TREC) celebrate FightNight’s 30th anniversary on Thursday, April 26 at the Hilton Anatole Hotel. The gala, which has grown to become one of the largest philanthropic events in North Texas, is expected to raise about $1.4 million to support Dallas Catalyst Project.
“It’s truly inspiring to see the effect that TREC Foundation grants and projects have in the community, and I’m excited to see us maximize our impact through Dallas Catalyst Project,” said Chris Hipps, FightNight chairman and senior managing director of investor services for CBRE. “For more than 30 years, these funds have been available due, in large part, to the real estate community’s involvement in FightNight. I’d like to thank all our FightNight attendees for making it possible for TREC to continue sparking transformation in Southern Dallas, and I’d like to thank everyone on the FightNight committee for working so hard to create a memorable event.”
Over the course of three decades, FightNight has established itself as one of the real estate industry’s premiere events. This year our Chairman has elevated the event from black-tie to white –tie, it and features professional boxing, fancy fare and libations, casino gaming, and Vegas-style diversions, along with amazing networking with the who’s who of the commercial real estate industry. There will also be an After Party to make this event accessible to Young Guns.
Joining TREC for FightNight’s 30 anniversary is legendary boxer “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler. The celebrity boxer will participate in an exclusive Q&A session with VIP guests prior to the main event. Hagler becomes part of an historic roster of world-class boxers who have attended TREC FightNight that also includes Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Lennox Lewis, George Forman and Sugar Ray Leonard, among others.
Funds raised during FightNight 30 will support Dallas Catalyst Project, a new, three-year initiative to invest more than $1 million in grants and pro-bono professional services work within the Forest Revitalization District in Southern Dallas. The project, which is a partnership between St. Philip’s School and Community Center, CitySquare and Cornerstone Baptist Church, intends to improve the streetscape and neighborhood in the Forest District. The work includes the renovation of the historic façade of the iconic Forest Theater, retail space owned by St. Philips School and landscaping and public space around Cornerstone Church and along Martin Luther King Boulevard. It also involves creating an innovative communal space under the I-45 bridge.
Since inception, FightNight has raised more than $26 million for TREC Foundation’s community projects throughout the City. It’s more notable community projects include the following:
St. Philip’s School and Community Center – The school and community center has been the recipient of TREC Foundation funds for over 20 years for a wide variety of projects that include the expansion of the food pantry, a renovated field house and other renovation projects.
Jubilee Neighborhood – Jubilee neighborhood organizations have received four grants from FightNight contributions to develop a job training program, develop housing and community gathering spaces.
Harmony Community Development Center – TREC’s Associate Leadership Council (ALC) used proceeds from FightNight raffle ticket sales to redevelop the center’s 2,450-square-foot pantry. The ALC class has also provided structural, engineering, architectural and other professional services.
Klyde Warren Park - TREC donated of $1.5 million toward a feasibility study and staff support during the preliminary stages of Klyde Warren Park’s construction. TREC also helped form the Woodall Rodgers Foundation and provided professional support for the public funding.
FightNight is supported by numerous sponsors. This year’s Super Heavyweight sponsor ($35,000) is Stantec, and the event’s Title Fight sponsor ($25,000) is Billingsley Company.
Championship Fight sponsors ($20,000) include CBRE, Cushman &Wakefield, Eastdil Secured, HFF, JLL and LegacyTexas.
Prize Fight sponsors ($15,000) include Bank of Texas, Berkadia, Champion Partners, Chief Partners LP, Davidson Bogel Real Estate, Granite, Harwood, The Howard Hughes Corporation, J.P.Morgan, KDC, KPMG, NEXBANK, NorthMarq Capital, Republic Title, Stewart Title, Sarofim Realty Advisors, Todd Interests, Transwestern, United Commercial Development and Walker Dunlop.
Platinum Sponsors include Citibank, Crow Holdings Capital Partners, LLC, Deloitte, Mill Creek Residential and Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr P.C.
The Real Estate Council, 2,000 commercial real estate professionals and 600 member companies who spark community transformation by lending their expertise, building connections and raising funds are the engine behind FightNight Planning and production of this year’s anniversary event has been led by the following members of the FightNight committee:
- TREC Chairman - Ran Holman, Cushman & Wakefield
- TREC Foundation Chairman - Jim Knight, Stantec
- FightNight Chairman - Chris Hipps, CBRE
- Vice Chairman - Moody Younger, Younger Partners, LLC
- Underwriting Chairman - Melissa Eastman, Stewart Title
- Underwriting Chairman - Stephen Modory, Champion Advisory Partners
- Table Sales Chairman - Colin Fitzgibbons, KDC
- Table Sales Chairman - Tyler Berns, Frank Dale Construction
- Legacy Chairman - Lucy Billingsley, Billingsley Company
- Boxing Chairman - Stephen Crosson, Capright, LLC
- Raffle Prize Co-Chair - Sarah Hinkley, Thirty-Four Commercial
- Raffle Prize Co-Chair - Josh Hedderich, Parmenter Realty Partners
- Raffle Sales Advisory Co-Chair - Matt Ballard, CBRE
- Raffle Sales Advisory Co-Chair - De’On Collins, HFF
- ALC Raffle Sales Co-Chair - Michael Cosby, HFF
- ALC Raffle Sales Co-Chair - Katy Jane Jenevein, Eastdil Secured
- Volunteer Chair - Jennifer Moore, Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.
- Publicity/Logistics Chair - Alex Speed, CBRE
For more information, visit recouncil.com or call 214-692-3600.
About The Real Estate Council (TREC)
As the largest and most influential organization of its kind in Texas, TREC represents more than 2,000 individual members and 600 companies, which make up 95 percent of the commercial real estate businesses in North Texas.
About TREC Foundation
TREC Foundation is the philanthropic arm of The Real Estate Council, working to strengthen the community in four key areas: education, housing, job creation and the environment. Its high-touch, project-based approach is led by TREC members who identify, review and select the community projects pursued each year. The selected organizations receive funding along with the pro bono professional services of our members. Since its inception in 1994, The Real Estate Council Foundation has contributed nearly $11 million in grant funds to more than 100 nonprofit community organizations supported by professional services valued at more than $750,000 annually.