Autism fundraiser set for eve of Las Vegas Market in January

David Perry -- Furniture Today, October 22, 2012

LAS VEGAS — The fifth annual Ante 4 Autism fundraiser, which continues to gain home furnishings industry support, moves to a new venue and new date here next year.
The event moves across the street from Binion's to the Golden Nugget, a popular hotel for Las Vegas Market attendees. It is set for 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 27. Professional poker player Karina Jett will play in the Texas Hold-em Tournament, which benefits Autism Speaks.

"The Golden Nugget has welcomed our event with open arms and we hope to announce shortly other professional poker players that will be joining us as well," said co-host Scott Graham of Trucomfortmattress.com. "We hope to surpass the 2012 total of $22,239 by moving to the Golden Nugget on a Sunday night and adding a new platinum level of sponsorship for 2013."

"We believe that moving to the Golden Nugget will be more convenient for market attendees and the general public, who will also be invited to play in the event for the first time," added Jerry Williams of PMD Furniture Direct, another co-host.

Organizers of the event said that furniture retailers, manufacturers, sales representatives and suppliers attending the Las Vegas Market will be invited to play.

The move to Sunday night is designed to give market attendees a chance to have some fun before the market opens on Monday, officials said.

Participants can pre-register and donations can be made online at www.ante4autism.com. Sponsorships are available and can be made online at various levels, platinum at $2,500, gold at $1,000, silver at $500 and bronze at $250.

New co-host Allen Parvizian of APJL Consulting and Symbol Mattress have already committed to be the first platinum sponsors for next year's event, officials said.

The entry fee to play is $125 and players must be 21. Checks can be made out to "Autism Speaks" and mailed to Doug Krinsky at 5405 Blackhawk Forest Drive, Westerville, Ohio, 43082.

"Autism spectrum disorders are diagnosed now in one in 88 children in the United States, and one in 54 boys" said Krinsky, the parent of a child with autism and sales manager for Restonic, another co-host if the Las Vegas event.

Other co-hosts include Myra Stone, an independent sales representative; Randy Coconis, Coconis Furniture, Zanesville, Ohio; Richie Gallaher, Tempur-Pedic; Stuart Carlitz, Eclipse International; Phil Miner and Mike McQuiston, both of Symbol Mattress; Anthony Mehran, Huffman Koos Furniture; Joseph Amato, Mattress Matters, and Mark Quinn, Leggett & Platt.