The Valley Industry Association will present what has come to be known as Santa Clarita’s premier business gala event – the VIA Bash – on Friday, Oct. 27, at the Hyatt Regency Valencia, 24500 Town Center Drive.

In addition to an evening of entertainment, the organization celebrates the diversity and accomplishments of its members. Awards are given to those individuals and members of distinction deserving in one of three categories: the Connie Worden-Roberts Volunteer of the Year, VIA Rising Star, and VIA Business of the Year. Winners will be announced at the gala.

Known for its themed galas and top entertainment, VIA delivers one of the community’s most sought-after events attended by the valley’s top leaders of industry. This year, guests will step back in time to the Hollywood Canteen era “where the greatest generation danced with the most beautiful girls in the world.” Entertainment industry professionals of the 1940s volunteered to serve food, drinks, and dance with servicemen traveling overseas.

“The VIA Bash is light on program and heavy on entertainment,” said Ed Masterson, VIA’s chairman of the board. The old Hollywood theme will be complemented by the harmonizing musical talents of The Summit, a pop, jazz and swing quartet. Proceeds from the event benefit the VIA Education Foundation, Connecting to Success program.

VIA’s Connecting to Success program is a privately-funded half day conference offering important workplace readiness skills to high school students. This signature program now trains more than 2,500 high school juniors annually from all area high schools in the William S. Hart Union High School District.

Gold star sponsorships are being sold starting at $25 each, which helps send students to the program. In Hollywood Canteen style, donors will be recognized at the VIA BASH as one-star ($25 donation) up to five-star Generals ($125 donation or more).

As part of the evening’s festivities, VIA will honor and showcase businesses within the Santa Clarita Valley by celebrating the diversity and accomplishments of its members. Awards are given to those individuals and members of distinction deserving in one of three categories.

The Connie Worden-Roberts Volunteer of the Year Award

This is awarded to an individual affiliated with VIA and is a member in good standing for a minimum of two years and has demonstrated strong support of the organization through committee involvement or chairmanship, member recruitment, fundraising and/or the creation of increased visibility for the organization. This member will have been an active member of one or more VIA Committees for no less than two years, and have made major volunteer contributions to the organization.

THE NOMINEES ARE:

— Hillary Broadwater, QM Design Group

— Jerry Buckley, College of the Canyons

— John Fortman, LBW Insurance & Financial Services

— Laura Kirchhoff, American Diabetes Association

— Connie McCoy, California Bank & Trust

— Sue Reynolds, William S. Hart Union High School District

— Chris Schrage, LBW Insurance & Financial Services

— Kim Thomson, Santa Clarita Valley Relocation Services

VIA Rising Star Award

This is awarded to a VIA member for no less than 12 months, this company will have shown substantial new growth and visibility through the development and launch of a new product or service, significant increases in job creation and/or building expansion.

THE NOMINEES ARE:

— American Diabetes Association

— Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital

— InsideSCV Magazine

— Point of View Communications

— SCV Senior Center

VIA Business of the Year Award

This is awarded to a cornerstone VIA member business affiliated with VIA for no less than five years and has demonstrated consistent support not only for the organization but to the business community and the Santa Clarita Valley as a whole.

THE NOMINEES ARE:

— Advanced Audiology

— Comfort Keepers

— Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital

— Jersey Mike’s Subs

— LBW Insurance & Financial Services

— Magazine of Santa Clarita/Elite Magazine

Sponsors for this year’s event include Gold level sponsor Nola Aronson’s Advanced Audiology. Silver level sponsors include QM Design Group, SCV Relocation Services, City of Santa Clarita, Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, College of the Canyons, Logix Federal Credit Union, The Strategy Partners, Henry Rodriguez State Farm, Thrivent Financial, and Wintrust Mortgage. Special thanks to media sponsors The Magazine of Santa Clarita/Elite, Signal Multimedia, SCVTV, and InsideSCV, along with production sponsors SOS Entertainment and Point of View Communications.

To purchase tickets, table sponsorships or to become a Connecting to Success gold star sponsor, visit www.VIAbash.com or contact Kathy Norris at (661) 294-8088 or kathy@via.org. To learn more, visit www.VIA.org. For more information, contact the VIA office at admin@via.org or phone (661) 294-8088.

ABOUT THE VALLEY INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION (VIA)

The Valley Industry Association of Santa Clarita represents business interests throughout the Santa Clarita Valley. VIA provides its members – industrial, commercial and service companies – the opportunity to collaborate on a broad range of business issues. In addition to being a legislative advocate, VIA serves as a one-stop shop for relevant business information, supports local educational initiatives, and provides networking opportunities.  www.via.org