Best Buddies at Intercontinental Hotel in San Francisco
Bay Area Champion of the Year Gala 2025: For Inclusion & Beyond
The Bay Area Champion of the Year Gala truly reached new heights this year. With a bold new theme, an inspiring group of Champions, and a community deeply committed to inclusion, the evening surpassed its fundraising goal by 23%, raising over $265,000 to support local Best Buddies programs. It was an out-of-this-world celebration in every sense.
The Annual Champion of the Year Campaign
Champion of the Year is Best Buddies’ signature peer-to-peer fundraising program, designed to empower individuals to advocate for inclusion. Each Champion commits to a 10-week fundraising campaign, rallying their networks to support Best Buddies’ mission of fostering one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
This year’s Bay Area program featured 14 incredible candidates, each bringing passion, creativity, and heart to their campaigns. Through individual donations, sponsorships, auction item procurement, and ad sales, the Champions went above and beyond to support the cause.
A Night of Celebration at the InterContinental
Held at the InterContinental San Francisco, the annual gala continues to evolve year after year, most notably through a fresh theme that sets the tone for the evening. The 2025 theme, For Inclusion and Beyond, leaned into a retro space aesthetic that out of this world. With just over 200 guests in attendance, the room buzzed with excitement, generosity, and a shared belief in the power of inclusion, elevated even further by the addition of two new musical performances that made the evening especially memorable.
Coaching, Campaigns, and Behind-the-Scenes Support
This event is especially hands-on for our team at Preziosi Event Productions. Christine works closely with each Champion throughout their 10-week campaign, offering coaching, strategy, and encouragement to help them exceed their fundraising goals. Watching Champions grow into confident advocates for inclusion is one of the most rewarding parts of the process.
On event night, the PEP team fully managed both the silent and live auctions, which were standout moments of the evening. The generosity in the room was extraordinary, including one of the largest single gala donations Best Buddies has received across California.
Design That Took the Event to New Heights
Event design played a key role in bringing the theme to life. Charlotte Anderson from our team led the design, creating an immersive retro space atmosphere that made the evening feel cohesive, elevated, and special. From start to finish, the environment reflected the optimism and momentum behind the Champions’ efforts.
Gratitude and Looking Ahead
The Bay Area Champion of the Year Gala continues to grow and transform each year, and 2025 proved just how powerful community-driven fundraising can be. We’re honored to be part of this journey and can’t wait to see what next year brings.
