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Mercedes-Benz Campaign Empowers Amazing Women Contributors

Mercedes-Benz joins the automotive world in making room for women with the She’s Mercedes campaign, beginning with the story of Bertha Benz.

As the automotive world continues to shift its efforts to make room for women, Mercedes-Benz has made an effort to highlight the amazing professionals who strive to be difference makers within their communities.

Flashback to the very first long distance car ride in 1886, as Bertha Benz – wife of Karl Benz – ensured that the automobile concept that her husband had would carry out the best or nothing principle Mercedes owners enjoy today. There are so many women that strive for excellence with their tenacious grit. Unfortunately, many of these women also go unnoticed.

 

Mercedes-Benz has other ideas. The brand has inspired an initiative to empower women all over the world who aim to achieve personal and professional success. She’s Mercedes is a hub where women can connect and exchange ideas, share experiences, and learn from one another. The networking circle aims to create conversation, develop new ideas, and drive determination. Women from several backgrounds and industries are encouraged to attend events where they engage in dialogue about their career achievements, mistakes, and goals.

On March 11, 2019, Hollywood star Gwyneth Paltrow was a VIP guest at the “She’s Mercedes Dinner” during the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas. During an interview session, Paltrow discussed with many professionals in industries ranging from business and fashion to creative and tech. The Goop founder also acknowledged the issues of balancing health, work and family life.

“It’s fantastic that we are able to welcome Gwyneth Paltrow as our guest at our ‘She’s Mercedes Dinner’ at SXSW,” said Kerstin Heiligenstetter, Head of She’s Mercedes. “As a successful actress, entrepreneur and mother she has been a role model for the power and skills of women for many years, so she embodies the objectives which we want to intensify and promote with She’s Mercedes.”

The platform has been a pillar of Mercedes’ “Best Customer Experience” strategy since 2015. The brand’s goal is to dive deeper into dialogue with women and increase the significance of the brand for the group. For more information on the initiative follow Mercedes.me/she and its social media channels on LinkedIn and Instagram. She’s Mercedes continues to grow and encourages women to join the She’s Mercedes Lounge and connect with fellow successful counterparts.

As we celebrate Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day (March 8th) during March, we must remember to appreciate the unwavering integrity our women achieve every day. Whether you’re a Golden Globe and Oscars award winning actress like Paltrow or new to the automotive industry, there are many opportunities for women to own during their careers.

If you have interest showcasing your people passion at Park Place, please visit www.parkplace.com/careers to begin or continue a career in automotive.  If you’re interested in learning more about Women in Automotive Council from a few council members, stay tuned as Park Place shares more about this dynamic initiative.  

For the Latest She’s Mercedes Campaign Visit:  Alondra De la Parra 

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The Park Place Luxury and Supercar Showcase is Set to Return on September 28, 2019

IRVING, Texas (March 4, 2019) – The 3rd Annual Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase, Dallas-Fort Worth’s premier luxury lifestyle and automotive event, will return this fall to the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, September 28, 2019.

“The community has come out in force to support this event the last two years,” said Ken Schnitzer, Park Place Dealerships founder and chairman. “The third annual event will again showcase some of the most exotic and exciting vehicles that will please enthusiasts of all ages. What began three years ago as an engaging opportunity to celebrate our 30th anniversary has quickly turned into the foremost luxury lifestyle and automotive event in this region.”

Park Place Dealerships represents some of the most coveted brands in the world, including Rolls-Royce, Maserati, McLaren, Bentley, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Volvo, Land Rover, and Jaguar which will all be featured at the event.

In keeping with a true lifestyle event, Park Place will expand its fashion, food and retail offerings within the Porsche Pavilion. There will be music performances on the Lexus Live Stage and beverages at The Mercedes-Benz Beer Garden on the lush Four Seasons TPC Championship golf course.

Within the event will be a juried Collectors’ Concours, featuring a diverse selection of rare supercars, luxury, sports, vintage and classic cars from private collectors.  The motoring festival also will include a Car Club Expo powered by Park Up Front as well as the beloved Kid’s Zone. 

Iconic luxury shopping and dining destination, Highland Park Village, will present a runway show produced by Jan Strimple Productions for the second year. The fashion show will feature looks from prestigious brands presented exclusively in the climate-controlled pavilion on the resort grounds, with retail pop-ups for guests to shop the day of the event.

Dallas’ Mad Hatter Shane Walker will return to judge the 2019 Haute Hat Contest on The Million Air Stage with categories for stylish men and women. Guests are encouraged to pair a hat with their favorite resort-inspired ensemble.

Ranging from $25 – $50 for general admission and $100 for VIP All Access, which includes the VIP Lounge with complimentary food and beverages from dozens of the area’s finest restaurants, tickets are on sale at LuxurySupercarShowcase.com. VIP Tickets are limited and have sold out the previous two years.

In 2018, the top Collectors’ Concours award winners were presented with the “Spirit of Park Place” hand-crafted sculpture by Dallas artist Brad Oldham:

  • Best of Show – 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB 6C
  • Chairman’s Choice Award – 1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II
  • Salesmanship Club Award – 1980 BMW M1

A Thank You To Our Returning Sponsors

Returning partners include the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas, VIP Lounge Sponsors Allie Beth Allman & Associates – A Berkshire Hathaway Affiliate|URBAN, Captain’s Lounge Sponsor Celebrity Cruises, The City of Irving, Hill & Wilkinson, Hagerty, Event Architecture, AT&T Business, AVSD Productions, Digital 3 Printing, Fauxcades Décor, Brad Oldham Sculpture, D Magazine and NBC 5.

Restaurants featured in the VIP Lounge include The French Room, LAW, III Forks, Cool River, Chop House Burger, Dallas Fish Market, Wild Salsa, Oven and Cellar, Outlaw Tap Room, Kai, Toulouse, Whiskey Cake, Texas de Brazil, Princi Italia, CRU Wine and Food Bar, Pacific Table, Cork & Pig Tavern, Make Your Life Sweeter, and Carlton Provisions.

Additional sponsors include Lilium Florals, Perks & Provisions, Promo Resources, Sunnyland Furniture, RideCentric, iDesignMeetings, Marquee Event Rentals, Bachendorf’s, Jack Black, Maui Jim, Renegade Cigars, Tito’s Vodka, Peroni Beer, Waste Management, GL Seaman, Ratcliff Financial Services, Garages of Texas, Thermal Printing, and MarineMax Yachts.

Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place Dealerships employs more than 2,000 people and operates 16 full-service dealerships in Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston. For more info, visit parkplace.com.

 

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The Mercedes-Benz A-Class: A Top Contender in the 2019 United States Luxury Market

Mercedes-Benz is introducing a new entry-level sedan to the US luxury segment that screams accessibility without compromising brand integrity. The new A-Class Sedan is an entirely new United States offering from the German manufacturer, with a starting MSRP of below $35,000. 

The only other four-door Mercedes-Benz with a starting MSRP of below 35k is the CLA, which was their first launch in the millennial market back in 2013. Now, 7 years later, the A-Class is ready to not just make its US debut, but cause quite the uproar among millennials wanting to enter the luxury segment on a budget.

In an October Forbes article Mark Aikman, general manager for marketing services for Mercedes-Benz USA commented “It’s our gateway to the Mercedes-Benz brand and will be available alongside the CLA. It will be the new entry point for the Mercedes-Benz brand.”

A Lack of Luxury Features? Hardly.

With an entry level price tag, you might assume that the features would be lacking. That is quite the opposite; Mercedes-Benz wanted to not only introduce a luxury sedan the modern millennial could afford, “but also desire.”  

The A-Class Sedan is equipped with a 2.0L inine-4 turbocharged engine, 188 hp and 221lb-ft of torque, and a 7-speed dual clutch transmission. This new model is also available in a 4MATIC variant, which is All-Wheel Drive so all four tires does the same amount of work, which is great for Mercedes drivers who experience tough road conditions.

The technology systems integrate the new MBUX user experience with voice recognition based on artificial intelligence. This AI tech differs from the standard direct voice command because it incorporates natural language processing. The instrument panel and touchscreen multimedia screen come in a standard 7 inch display, with options to upgrade to a 10.25-inch versions.

“A-Class looks fantastic but the big story is really the technology inside of it. Mercedes-Benz is well known for launching latest and greatest technology inside S-Class or other higher-end models. But A-Class is the first vehicle in our lineup to get MBUX,” says Aikman in his interview with Forbes.

Other luxuries already included are dark tinted windows all-around and a large, panoramic glass roof.

Striking Self Confidence

The front exterior is highlighted by a deep panoramic grille tilted towards the front with vertical chrome inserts and the classic star in the center.  The headlamps actually provide another defining moment for the A-Class and the Mercedes-Benz brand. The grid structure on the inside of the headlamp ensures an easily recognizable look, with a special surprise.

The grid structure specials is coated with a UV paint that is exposed to ultra violet light. This makes the headlamps actually glow in different colors, depending on the light medium according the MBUSA press release.  For example, the daytime running lights are white.

The new lighting technology is mirrored in tail of the sedan. According the MBUSA, the new tail lamps were designed as “structural sculptures,” adding to the pleasing outer aesthetics of a road-worthy show car.

The New Millennial Bucket List

Ratings and reviews have been raving about the success of the A-Class Sedan, garnering an initial 4.5/5 rating on CarAndDriver.com and  cnet.com. But there’s an element of storytelling, or ‘doing it for the gram’ that adds to its affordable mystique.

Part of the success of the A-Class and subsequent campaign focuses on adding and checking-off “owning a Mercedes-Benz” to the Millennial Bucket list: “A lot of people think it’s not within reach for them today and they may be putting it off. That’s where we found an amazing correlation between a bucket list and putting that consideration of a Mercedes-Benz, and now an A-Class, on that list — and cross it off,” says Aikman.

Coming early this year, stay tuned to Park Place social media and communications for when the new A-Class officially arrives in our four Park Place Motorcars showrooms. To all Mercedes-Benz admirers the A-Class is ready to redefine the luxury sedan market, and Park Place could not be more excited to make your bucket-list dreams come true this year.

Share Your Story! Tag @parkplacetexas on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Use the tag #MyPlace for a chance to be featured.

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Park Place Motorcars Arlington Supplies Brand New Mercedes for MLK Jr. Parade

Park Place Motorcars Arlington Supplies Grand Marshal’s Car for Grand Prairie ISD 2019 MLK Jr. Parade

Grand Prairie ISD sponsored the MLK, Jr. Day parade Monday, January 21, which featured a variety of student and civic groups, including floats, marching bands, decorated vehicles and more.

Park Place Motorcars Arlington provided a new 2019 Mercedes-Benz Convertible for Grand Marshall Dr. Susan Simpson Hull, Grand Prairie ISD Superintendent to lead the parade.

“Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. famously stated, ’The function of education is to teach one to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education,’ recounts Park Place Motorcars Arlington General Manager Terry Powell. “Park Place Dealerships is proud to support Grand Prairie ISD. There is nothing more important to our future success than education. We’ve hired numerous GPISD graduates to work at Park Place. And we look forward to a brighter future because of their commitment to excellence.”

Dr. Hull has been a Texas educator for 39 years, serving as a teacher, coach, principal, and superintendent. She is in her 11th year as the superintendent of Grand Prairie ISD, a district with over 29,000 students.

The march began at the Liberty Bell on City Hall Plaza and ended at David Daniels Elementary Academy of Science and Math. Grand Prairie ISD, in conjunction with the City of Grand Prairie, the NAACP, and local community businesses and organizations honored Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s contributions with the annual parade.

Park Place Motorcars Arlington is a 91,000-square-foot Mercedes-Benz dealership located at I-20 and Collins.

Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place Dealerships employs more than 2,000 people and operates 16 full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Lotus, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, McLaren, and Maserati. For more info, visit parkplace.com.

 

 

 

 

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The All New Mercedes-Benz GLE: Poised to Be Extremely Competitive

Equipped with even more standard features like MBUX with Voice Control, dual- 12.3-inch instrument cluster, Mercedes-Benz Navigation, LED headlamps, and hands-free access, Mercedes-Benz priced this new rendition of a classic SUV quite competitively, with the 2020 GLE 350 starting at an MSRP of $53,700.

Poised to set new standards in the luxury SUV market, the New GLE is built around a revolutionary SUV suspension system called the E-Active Body Control (termed as the world’s ‘most intelligent’ SUV suspension system by Mercedes-Benz). The driver assistance systems also show improvement with the Active Stop-and-Go Assist which enables the GLE to recognize traffic jams earlier and offer support to the driver throughout.

The interior expands offering a third-row seat for a more spacious and comfortable drive, while the exteriors updated aerodynamic design sets a precedence for aerodynamics in the SUV segment.

Some new optional features available when ordering your new GLE include:

  • enlarged panoramic sliding sunroof (50% larger viewing area)
  • 4-Zone Climate Control and Inductive Wireless Charging
  • 9G-Tronic 9 Speed Automatic Transmission 
  GLE 350 SUV & GLE 350 4MATIC SUV GLE 450 4MATIC SUV
MSRP $53,700*
4MATIC: $56,200*		 $61,150*
Engine 2.0L Inline-4 Turbo 3.0L Inline-6 Turbo
with EQ Boost
Drive Config. Rear-Wheel Drive /
4MATIC All-Wheel Drive		 4MATIC fully-variable 
All-Wheel Drive
Performance Internal Combustion Engine: 255 hp @ 5,800 – 6,100
273 lb-ft @ 1,800 – 4,000		 Internal Combustion Engine: 362 hp @ 5,500 – 6,100
369 lb-ft @ 1,600 – 4,000
EQ Boost N/A Up to 21 hp

The GLE will launch with a variety of engine choices including a 2.0L Inline-4 turbo engine for the GLE 350 and GLE 350 4MATIC (255 hp) and a 3.0 inline six-cylinder turbo engine with EQ Boost in GLE 450 4MATIC (362hp). The new 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 and 450 4MATIC will arrive in the US in Spring 2019, and the GLE 350 a few months later (Summer 2019). 

Stay tuned to MBUSA.com for more information on new 2020 model line updates.

For current GLE Inventory (new cars starting with Model Year 2018) at one of our four Mercedes-Benz locations, visit ParkPlace.com. 

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Park Place Motorcars Fort Worth Donates New Mercedes-Benz to Charity Raffle

Park Place Motorcars Fort Worth Donates Mercedes-Benz for the 65th Annual Jewel Charity Ball

Thinking outside the (jewel) box in 1953, Nenetta Burton Carter and Bille Brandsford Clark sought to raise funds to meet the needs of children whose families could not afford their medical care. A committee of 15 women planned the first Jewel Charity Ball, which resulted in a $9,000 donation to Fort Worth Children’s hospital. 

On December 15, 2018, the 65th Annual Jewel Charity Ball will be held at the Fort Worth Convention Center. With over 625 members, Jewel Charity has raised over $71 million dollars to ensure that all children at Cook Children’s Hospital are provided the health care they need. 

This year’s event will feature a silent auction and raffle prizes for everything from fine jewelry and trips abroad to the winner’s choice of a Mercedes Benz GLE or E300, donated by Park Place Motorcars Fort Worth. 

“We are proud to be a sponsor of the Jewel Charity Ball,” said George Johnson, general manager of Park Place Motorcars Fort Worth. “Nothing is more important than the health and well-being of the children in our community.”

Park Place Motorcars Fort Worth is located at 5601 Bryant Irving Road, just off the Chisholm Trail Parkway in southwest Fort Worth. 

Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place employs more than 2,000 people and operates 17 full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Lotus, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, McLaren, Bentley and Maserati. For more info, visit parkplace.com

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When Fancy Cars and Fall Football Collide: Park Place’s Focus on Education On and Off the Field

Park Place has four, core pillars of community giving, with education and a passion for children’s advocacy, at the forefront of our involvement this past fall.  It’s no secret that Fall in Texas equals football season, and we are so excited to not only support one of Texas’ favorite past times but to also show our support for the local teams, like the Boswell Pioneers or Southlake-Carroll Dragons, as a part of our community giving efforts.

Boswell Football

This past season, we had the privilege of supporting the Boswell High School Football Team (see the 2019 team photo below) with not only cheers and encouragement as our Park Place Mercedes-Benz Fort Worth members attended the games, but through a donation to the Boswell Football Scholarship Fund.

This fund supports their local athletes with scholarship opportunities at the close of the school year for their future pursuits, and we are eager to hear what these kids accomplish thanks to their hard work, determination, and little extra help from their community. 

Boswell Pioneer Varsity Football

Southlake-Carroll Dragons

Similarly, Park Place is very involved in the Southlake-Carroll Community, with each of our four Grapevine dealerships showing up at home games at Dragons Stadium with plenty of team spirit and vehicles to enhance the game-day experience.

Southlake-Carroll Dragons Football Team, 2019

One well-known opportunity each year is our “Kick One of These [a field goal]” to “Win One Of These [a new car]”, donated by Matt Woolsey, General Manager of Park Place Jaguar Land Rover. 

The rules are simple (no practicing!) and the experience an absolute blast, as Park Place Members pack the stands alongside Dragon fans, eagerly watching the one lucky winner kick for a new luxury auto!

Kristen Hill at the Park Place field goal challenge, Friday, Nov. 9, 2018, in Southlake, Texas. (Michael Ainsworth)

We haven’t had someone successfully make a field goal yet, but who’s to say we won’t bring back that community opportunity next year?

On the Radio with Colleyville Heritage High School

Radio is an integral part of our fall sponsorships and one that helps add an element of excitement to local fall football games for Colleyville Heritage High School.  Live commentary on the radio enhances the fans experience, when they may not be able to make it to the field for a live viewing. It’s all about experience at Park Place, so this radio sponsorship was a natural extension of our fall community involvement for area schools and athletes. 

Participating in school athletics has the ability to impact students far past just an athletic acknowledgment, and Park Place strives to support these programs in an effort to support their academic successes and futures far past just a singular football season. We encourage you to join us next season in cheering on your local high school football teams in person or by tuning into local radio to catch the play by play of our young student-athletes in action. 

Learn more about our community efforts at Park Place by visiting ParkPlace.com

To submit a sponsorship request click here.

To submit a partnership request click here.

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The Season of Giving: Park Place Delivers Donated $55k Sprinter To Momentous Institute

Park Place Dealerships Donates $55k Sprinter Van To Salesman Ship Club’s Momentous Institute

As we enter a season of gratitude and giving, it’s crucial we take a step back to reflect on the why behind last month’s October 13th event. Rain couldn’t keep the crowds away from the 2nd Annual Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase last month, where luxury manufacturers, local retailers, restaurants, and collectors came together to host almost 3,000 attendees for a day of fashion, food, and, of course, show-stopping vehicles.

The event benefitted the Momentous Institute, owned and operated by the Salesmanship Club of Dallas since 1920. Each year, the organization serves more than 6,000 children and family members through its nationally acclaimed Momentous School and innovative Therapeutic Services. Ken Schnitzer presented Patton Chapman, Salesmanship Club president, with the keys to a $55,000 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van, on stage during the awards ceremony, to help the organization with its transportation needs for the kids.

during the Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase in Irving, Tx, on October 13, 2018. (Michael Ainsworth)

The following week, Corey Bedford, Fleet Sales Manager at Park Place Motorcars Grapevine, delivered the shiny, new 2018 Sprinter Passenger van to Momentous Institute- red carpet style. Momentous Institute, owned and operated by Salesmanship Club of Dallas since 1920, has been committed to building and repairing social-emotional health for all children so they can achieve their full potential. It was our privilege to host the community to benefit such a worthy cause for the second year in a row.

 

 

Stay tuned for more on information on next year’s 2019 Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase by tuning into our blog (news.parkplace.com) and our social media channels (@parkplacetexas).

 

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The Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S Earns ‘World’s Fastest’ Title on Nürburgring

The Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S Four Door Coupe arms a driver with driving dynamics at motorsport level- with ‘explosive sprints and With an officially measured, certified and notarized time of 7:25:41, the new Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S is the world’s fastest series production four-seater on the legendary North Loop of the Nürburgring.maximum comfort.’  This, four-door production car can go 0-60 in 3.2 seconds With an additional RACE drive program including ‘Drift Mode’, the pilot has sporty driving manoeuvers available at their fingertips.

Mercedes-AMG Development Engineer Demian Schaffert sat behind the wheel of the fully equipped standard eight-cylinder model to achieve the record lap. The former racing driver was involved in developing the driving dynamics of the four-door coupe and demonstrated the performance of the powerful 630 hp sports car to impressive effect with his record lap.

The Nürburging-“Nordschleife” (North Loop) is regarded as the world’s toughest race track. A record lap here is the ultimate test of a sports car. The Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S offers many features suited to this challenge: Its standard equipment includes dynamic highlights such as fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive, active rear axle steering, electronically controlled rear-axle limited slip differential and AMG DYNAMICS drive programs. The available Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires enabled optimum traction and acceleration out of bends in the “Green Hell”. The record lap was measured precisely by the neutral experts of “wige SOLUTIONS”. The specification of the vehicle, as well as the lap time, was additionally certified by an independent notary public.

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Park Place Celebrates 21 Years at the Cattle Baron’s Ball with New Vehicle Donated to Raffle

Park Place Dealerships and the Cattle Baron’s Ball have a now 21-year relationship that has resulted in yet another successful event at Gilley’s Dallas, all for the pursuit of a cure for cancer.  The Cattle Baron’s Ball is one of the largest one night fundraisers, and Park Place is proud to provide support through what we know best- and that is luxury cars.

For our 21st year, Park Place donated the choice of a brand new 2018 Volvo XC40, Mercedes-Benz GLC 300, Porsche Macan, or Range Rover Velar, to the winner of the raffle.

As a core tenant of Park Place’s mission, giving back and community involvement is never overlooked but rather, constantly adapting and changing so that we can make a greater impact year after year.  As leaders in the automotive industry, Park Place has been honored with the opportunity to give to the Cattle Baron’s Ball to benefit the American Cancer society, leaders in cancer research, for 21 years now.

Since 1974, Cattle Baron’s Ball has raised over $77 million for cancer research- which they cite happens mostly here in DFW. True to “Everything’s Bigger in Texas” mantra, the Cattle Baron’s Ball has proven year after year, that they in partnership with the community, are the world’s largest sing-night fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.

Cattle Baron’s has provided more than 30,000 services to cancer patients in North Texas, rides to and from treatments, and wigs free of charge. The American Cancer Society is the beneficiary of the event whose mission is to save lives, celebrate lives, and lead the fight for a world without cancer.