Earlier this year, GABA president Glenn Sims admitted that times had been tough for the 25-year-old business association. Fast forward to September and that GABA has all but disappeared. I took a quick trip to GABA’s most recent executive meeting and found a number of new faces that were all ready, willing and able to bring a bit of exuberance and energy to the organisation.


GABA has been busy as beavers, organising a number of events and opportunities coming up over the coming months.


Sway your vote


GABA is teaming up with new venue The Langham Hotel for a number of upcoming events – the GABA Electoral Forum is the first. 
From 7-9pm on Thursday 13 October, GABA is hosting this opportunity for you to meet face-to-face with electoral candidates from all the major parties as they outline their vision for the GLBT community going forward. So far on the confirmed list – Nikki Kaye and Claudette Hauiti from National, Charles Chauvel and Jacinda Ardern from Labour, Kevin Hague from the Greens and Hone Harawira from the Mana Party. An Act representative is still to be announced.


This year it is being run slightly differently to the traditional debate – speakers will be allowed to address the audience for seven minutes before taking part in a Q&A. After the Q&A, each speaker will be invited to make a closing statement for up to three minutes including a right of reply to any points raised by other speakers. 
Entrance to the event is just $5, and that money will go straight to the GABA Charitable Trust. Be there!


Go under the hammer with Ali Mau


Open the closet and dust off your best because GABA’s annual charity auction and dinner is going to be bigger and better than ever.


Set in the opulent campness of the Langham Hotel’s Great Room, the charity auction and dinner will be a night of the three Fs – fun, fabulosity and fundraising! The GABA Charity Auction and Dinner 2011 is the primary fundraiser for the GABA Charitable Trust, which has given out community grants totalling well over $150,000 throughout the last decade. 
Last year’s GABA Jubilee Charity Auction and Dinner was a great success, raising over $18,500 for the Trust.


The 2011 GABA Charity Auction and Dinner will be held on Sunday 06 November in The Langham Hotel’s elegant, pillar-less ballroom venue, The Great Room.


A “GABA Gold” theme is being developed for the event, befitting the heavily gilded décor of The Great Room. This year’s gorgeous Master of Ceremonies has been confirmed as popular television presenter, Alison Mau. Returning again as GABA auctioneer will be Michelle Maitland from George Walkers Auctions, with an all-new, glittering and glistening troupe of glamorous assistants.


In addition to the charity auction and live entertainment, the black-tie-optional event will include champagne on arrival and a superb, three-course silver service dinner. 
GABA Charity Auction and Dinner tickets are $135 per person, or $125 per person for tables of 10 people. Tickets are available through GABA board members and at selected GLBT venues.


Fun for young and old 


There’s a lot of young blood appearing on the GABA executive, but none younger than Kale Woods and Martin Mccullagh. The pair are both active at Out@AUT and recently in GABA; now they’re spreading the word that GABA is for everyone.


Kale says, “Before I joined GABA, I assumed you had to own a business to be involved; this is a misconception a lot of young people in the community have. I think it’s important we get the word out that GABA is not just a business association – it’s a networking group where you can go out, have fun, mix and mingle.”


Martin says, “We’re the next generation that will be taking over GABA someday, so it’s important that younger people in the community get involved now and learn the ropes.”
Kale says, “Through GABA, we not only get to meet businesspeople and visit businesses, but we’re also making connections that could provide us employment one day!


“Like any organisation, GABA needs young people to keep it going, and keep events fun and vibrant,” he says. “ The youth always make things more lively!”


To join GABA, visit www.gaba.org.nz. Or for more info, email communications manager Pam Ford on pamfordnz@gmail.com.