Alan Rose, Chair Judy Graham, Marcia Norris and Michael Crosby, Mote SEA president and CEO.
Janet Combs
Black Tie
Share
There is no de-baiting it: The recently opened Mote Science Education Aquarium, located in the UTC area, is a space that is exceptional for marine life as well as an Oceanic Evening gala made for ball gowns, tuxedos and all the fish-related tidbits one can find.
With over 1 million gallons of water on-site, the 570 guests enjoyed Mote SEA's 146,000 square feet of space and multiple levels the evening of Oct. 25.Â
"Exactly 40 years ago tonight Mote Marine celebrated its 30th anniversary with a sock hop in the parking lot on Ken Thompson Parkway as it poured rain, but no one stopped dancing," said event Chair Judy Graham during an interview.
Guests attired in aquamarine, blues and greens and sparkling with ocean themed jewelry, bags and hair adornments enjoyed a night of education as well with docents and volunteers staffed at each attraction.
Mote President and CEO Michael Crosby graciously thanked everyone for continued support, which benefits Mote Marine's many programs, including coral restoration, ocean and marine life health, research and public education.
Overall, it was a fin-tastic evening and no one failed to fall for this brilliantly designed aquarium and event — hook, line and sinker.
Alan Rose, Chair Judy Graham, Marcia Norris and Michael Crosby, Mote SEA president and CEO.
Janet Combs
Sue and Kevin Claridge with Randy and Kim Grams
Janet Combs
Margaret Wise, Barbara Brizdle and Katherine Harris
Janet Combs
Micheline and Harris Silverman, Barbara Brizdle, Jim Heskett, and Marion Levine with Sam Samelson
Janet Combs
Marcia Norris, Chair Judy Graham and Alan Rose
Janet Combs
Mote Science Education Aquarium's Oceanic Evening grand opening gala was held on Oct. 25 with 570 guests in attendance.
Janet Combs
Mike and Sue Goets are among the first guests to arrive.
Janet Combs
Beth and Bob Scheible enjoy the new 400,000-gallon tank.
Janet Combs
Tracy and Roy Kretzler get schooled about Mote SEA from volunteer Tom Morgan, center.
Janet Combs
Suzette and Gerry Seigel
Janet Combs
Ben Hulett and Emma Bullock with Blake and Ashley Lindsey
Janet Combs
Pat and Carol Murphy toast to the endeavors of Mote SEA.
Janet Combs
Jeff and Judy Koepkey with Elaine and Rod Hershberger
Janet Combs
Kirk and Rae Malcolm with Keity and Drew Mitchell
Janet Combs
Mindy Martin and Abita Mullen match the Mote SEA color scheme.
Janet Combs
Mary Taylor and Cindy Ray
Janet Combs
Mae, Dru, Benji and Melinda Hershberger are ready for a party in the aquarium.
Janet Combs
Clara Ramos hitches an escalator to the second floor to see the new exhibits.
Janet Combs
Lauren and Candace Henry
Janet Combs
Alexandra and Drew Bittle with Dianne Weiskopf and her cousin Richard Rosenbloom and Bunny Skirboll
Janet Combs
Scott and Melissa Perrin with friends Karissa and Tyler Hyslop
Janet Combs
Ina Goldberg is ready for a night with the aquatic life at Mote SEA.
Janet Combs
Anna Ibrahim and Peter Van Beuren
Janet Combs
Anna Harshman with her date, Lucas Teuber
Janet Combs
John and Michelle Breeder with Karen and Jim Oliver
Janet Combs
Tim Clarke, Susan Gilmore with Ann and Jim Johnson
Janet Combs
Karin David and Cindy Ray
Janet Combs
Brian and Vincent Epifanio Kandel
Janet Combs
Sue and Tom Ghezzi
Janet Combs
Bill Paxon, Amy and Ken Sussman and Susan Molinari
Janet Combs
Carol and Terry Flanagan, Jan Massarella, Mike and Pam Redmond and Greg Massarella
Janet Combs
Sarah and Todd Fiorille cut the rug at the Mote Marine Laboratory gala.
Janet Combs
Sarah and Todd Fiorille
Janet Combs
Jennifer and Mat Seiber
Janet Combs
Future marine biologist Madison McAvoy grabs a selfie with some of her underwater friends swimming in a 400,000-gallon tank.
Janet Combs
Shelly and Ed McAvoy with their daughter Madison who is majoring in marine biology.
Janet Combs
Candice and Peter Teuber dance the night away in support of research conducted by Mote Marine.
Janet Combs
Robyn Lista fronts for the band Phase 5.
Janet Combs
Robyn Lista and the Phase 5 Band provide musical entertainment.
Janet Combs
Katie Tippit, Ashley Neary and Sarah Cider Richardson
Janet Combs
Paul Scire, Lana Em and Liliana Scire
Janet Combs
Fish themed everything was spotted everywhere.
Janet Combs
Mote SEA Philanthropic Officer Marie Hernandez
Janet Combs
Bill Salmon, Fotini Allteni, Patricia Dure and Raffael Perna
Janet Combs
Fotini Allteni and Michelle Morgan
Janet Combs
Joe Hembree jokes around with John LaCivita.
Janet Combs
David Ottarness and his wife, Jen.
Janet Combs
Jessica and Matt Deloach enjoy the after-dinner dancing and live music provided by Phase 5.
Janet Combs
Toni Kopcienski, Erin Lasala and Chris Reinsberg
Janet Combs
Frank Lasala enjoys the hammerhead shark in the exhibit.
Janet Combs
Mote SEA team members include Hannah Celeste, Erin Porter, Abby Rusenbalm, Savannah Carley and Jared Stilley.
Janet Combs
Mote Science Education Aquarium held its annual Oceanic Evening grand opening gala at its new location at UTC Mall on Oct. 25 for 570 guests.
Janet Combs
Mote Science Education Aquarium held its annual Oceanic Evening grand opening gala at its new location at UTC Mall on Oct. 25 for 570 guests.
Janet Combs
Alene Fowler, Annette Preston and Veronica Lupinacci help check in 570 guests.
Janet Combs
Laura Biersmith and Lauren Stults help check in 570 guests.
Janet Combs
Mote SEA celebrated its annual Oceanic Evening with a "Grand Opening Gala" on Oct. 25 for 570 guests..
