Roswell Park’s 28th Annual All Star Night Gala To Feature Creative Direction From Former Disney Exec

Former Disney executive, Bryan Wittman, and his wife Kathy will serve as Chairmen of the 2018 Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center’s 28th annual All Star Night – the institute’s signature black-tie event taking place on Saturday, November 10, 2018, at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center. The event raises more than a half-million dollars for cancer research and patient care at Roswell Park each year.

A native of Hamburg, N.Y., Bryan has more than 30 years of global business experience focused on marketing, entertainment, special events, talent relations and operations. He most recently served as Corporate Vice President of Global Special Events at Disney, where he was responsible for the creative development, production and marketing of major grand openings, special events, entertainment and festivals for Disney Theme Parks and Resorts Worldwide. In addition to focusing on the marketing of numerous large-scale development projects around the world, he also served as the creative force behind a number of Disney productions including the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and Pasadena’s Tournament of Roses.

All Star Night introduces a new event theme each year and has most recently welcomed guests to a Venetian ball with the 2017 theme, “Masquerade”. While they are not yet ready to publicly reveal this year’s event theme, Bryan and Kathy are looking forward to infusing unique and engaging experiences that will inspire and surprise the anticipated 1,000 guests at this November’s event. Event highlights returning in 2018 include an impressive silent auction, open bar, a sit down dinner, music and dancing, as well as award presentations to a Roswell Park scientist, volunteer and celebrity guest who will be announced in September.

“Every day, the amazing team at Roswell Park takes on the battle to stop this terrible disease and every one of us in this community need to step up and do our part to ensure they have all the resources possible,” says Bryan. “All Star Night 2018 is going to be a spectacular event and a great opportunity to show our support and commitment to Roswell's future.”

Bryan attended St. Francis High School in Athol Springs, N.Y. and is a graduate of Ashland University in Ohio, where he earned a BA in Broadcast Marketing. Kathy is from Eden NY and spent many years with the US Postal Service until her retirement in 2011. After his retirement in 2014, Bryan and Kathy returned to Hamburg after living in both California and Florida. This past year they opened a full service marketing consulting company – Dry Creek Group – that provides world class business solutions with a “touch of magic”. In addition to the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, they are actively involved with special projects for The Billittier Foundation, JP’s Autism Foundation, Buffalo Hearing and Speech, Mercy Flight and St. Francis High School.

M&T Bank holds the presenting sponsorship for the 2018 All Star Night, but several sponsorship levels and table sponsorships are available by calling 716-845-3952. Individual tickets are available now by phone and will be available online in August at AllStarNight.org.