Chevrolet Tahoe Tops Long List of Unique Items for IGFA’s 21^st Annual International Auction and Banquet

On-line auction is underway now for January 28^th fundraiser

USSFN:  1/22/05 - (DANIA BEACH, Fla.) - A 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71 SUV is the featured item up for bid in the International Game Fish Association’s 21^st Annual International Auction and Banquet at The Breakers, in Palm Beach, Fla., on January 28. 

The premier fundraising event for the nonprofit, worldwide membership-supported conservation, rule-making and record-keeping organization will feature 52 live auction items plus well over 225 silent auction items.

For the fourth year an on-line auction of a continuously growing list of nearly 300 items is now underway at the IGFA’s website www.igfa.org.     The extensive list of items up for bid includes:

• Original and limited edition artwork and sculptures by fine artists Carey Chen, Guy Harvey, James Harris, Don Ray, Bodo Muche, Dave Baroncelli, Adrian Gray and many others.

•  Entries into tournaments worldwide, many of them 2006 Rolex/IGFA Inshore and Offshore Championship qualifying events.

• International and domestic charters many including lodging.

• Cruises and vacation packages to exclusive resorts, hotels and lodges worldwide.

• Game fish trophy mounts, rods, reels, tackle, fishing equipment, gold and diamond jewelry, books, clothing and more.

“We are adding even more unique and quality items almost daily,” said Mike Myatt, director of marketing, “so bidders are encouraged to check the IGFA website often.”

The item expected to receive the highest bidding is the Chevy Tahoe SUV. The silver birch metallic 4x4 features a Vortec 5300, 295-hp V8 engine, Z71 suspension and skid plate and heavy-duty trailering packages. The long list of options includes custom leather seating for up to seven, AM/FM stereo with in-dash, six-disc CD changer and nine speakers, touch-screen navigation radio, Bose premium digital sound system, DVD entertainment system, On Star with one-year Safe & Sound Plan and XM radio.   Chevrolet is the newest platinum sponsor of the 66-year old IGFA.

“Since we started featuring the auction on the IGFA website, online bidders have won 25 percent of the items,” said Lesley Arico, special projects coordinator. “But it’s better to be there live for all of the many activities throughout the evening.”

Advance tickets for the evening are $175 each and open to the public. An entry includes a four-course dinner with wine during the live auction, two drinks during the silent auction and a chance to win one of the many door prizes. Each guest will also receive a limited edition signed and numbered print by featured artist Carey Chen.

“We are also raffling off a Rolex Submariner watch,” she said, “plus ‘Go For the Gold’ tickets with the winner splitting $20,000 with the IGFA Junior Angler program.  We’ll also have at least 10 jam-packed coolers as raffle prizes with tackle, line, rods, art, dinner gift certificates, theater tickets, apparel and more for an exciting evening.”  

Arico said that on-line bids will be accepted with a valid credit card number and expiration date, name, address, email and contact phone number.

The on-line portion of the auction ends at 9 a.m. EST on January 24. The highest bid on each item will be the starting bid at the silent and live auction the night of the fundraiser. All winners will be notified by 5:00 p.m. on January 31.

For additional details please contact Arico at the IGFA at 954-924-4222 or email at LArico@IGFA.org. Founded in 1939 the IGFA is best known for conservation efforts of fisheries, educational programs, rule-making and for maintaining worldwide game fish records in freshwater, saltwater, fly fishing and junior angler categories. IGFA members are located in over 125 countries. The IGFA welcomes visitors to its 60,000-square-foot interactive Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum in Dania Beach, Florida.  For further information, contact the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum, 300 Gulf Stream Way, Dania Beach, Florida 33004; phone 954-927-2628, fax: 954-924-4299,  e-mail: HQ@igfa.org, website: www.igfa.org.