Wanderlust Auction offers values on travel, culinary and sporting packages

"Wanderlust With a Midas Touch" is the theme for this year's 20th annual Wanderlust Auction. The area's largest tourism industry fundraiser has amassed more than 75 live and silent auction items that will be up for bid at the April 16 dinner gala at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa.

The fundraising event benefits Florida Gulf Coast University's Resort and Hospitality Management Program. Annual golf memberships, wine packages and other one-of-a-kind trips will be auctioned, offering tremendous values to guests in attendance. This year, for the first time, a drawing will be held, and one lucky attendee will win a free exciting trip for two to The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. Poised on a bluff of dunes overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, and surrounded by an 18-hole PGA golf course, this resort provides impeccable service and a true island experience.

"We are committed to providing our Wanderlust guests with terrific opportunities on vacations, sporting experiences and culinary packages," said Diana Willis, co-chair of this year's event and a member of the FGCU Resort and Hospitality Management Advisory Board. "In addition to the live and silent auction packages, we'll have a fine wine raffle; a balloon pop with gift certificates for restaurants; retail shops and golf foursomes; and a fishbowl of on-the-spot donations."

Willis explained that the live auction will feature trips to Hawaii, Northwest Canada, San Francisco, Napa, Puerto Rico, London, a Yangtze River passage to China and an African Safari.

Wanderlust is hosted by Collier and Lee counties' major resorts and other hospitality partners to support the Resort and Hospitality Management program at FGCU, which helps prepare students to become leaders in the resort, hospitality and club industry.

Tickets for Wanderlust are $250 per person. To secure tickets, contact Eventz Inc. at 415-2581.