WTS-Los Angeles Annual Scholarships & Awards Gala - November 19, 2026

All Roads Lead to Los Angeles-Connecting People, Places, and Possibilities - Secure your sponsorships and tickets before they are sold out!
About this Event

Join WTS-LA for the 2026 Scholarships & Awards Gala - All Roads Lead to Los Angeles - Connecting People, Places, and Possibilities! Join us at our largest event of the year where we provide scholarships to students, and celebrate award winners!

InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown
900 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, California 90017

Thursday, November 19, 2026 @ 5PM
Reception: 5:00-6:00 PM
Dinner and Awards Presentation: 6:00-9:00 PM

REGISTRATION AND SPONSORSHIP DEADLINES
Purchase your sponsorships and tables early before they sell out!
• 9/18/26: Early-bird ticket and table registrations end
• 10/30/26: Sponsorship registrations end
• 10/30/26: Regular ticket and table registrations end

Consider sponsoring a student to attend the Gala by registering with the Buy 1 - Give 1 ticket types! WTS will reach out to students on your behalf to attend the Gala.

2026 AWARD WINNERS:

• Woman of the Year: LaShawn King Gilllspie, Foothill Transit
• Lois Cooper “Going the Distance”: Stephanie Wiggins, Metro
• Honorable Ray LaHood: Eugene D. Seroka, Port of Los Angeles
• Member of the Year: Rashana Davis, Metro
• Rosa Parks Diversity Leadership: The SEED School of Los Angeles
• Employer of the Year: California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
• Innovative Transportation Project: Foothill Transit’s Mt. San Antonio College Transit Center
• Educator of the Year: Dr. Yongping Zhang, Cal Poly Pomona

CONFIRMED VIPS ATTENDING:

• Roxana Javid, USC
• Theresa Dau-Ngo, Port of Long Beach

GALA SPONSORSHIPS
Sponsorships support scholarships and bring visibility to your firm. Act quickly - they are expected to sell out.

Sponsorship Opportunities:

Keynote Sponsor ($7,000)

• Introduction of Keynote Speaker
• 1 seat at dignitary table with Keynote Speaker
• 3 tickets to the gala
• Logo/company recognition on program, eblasts, and signage
• Script recognition
• Full page digital ad (7.75 x 7.75 inches)

Reception Sponsor ($5,000)

• Includes logo on cocktail napkin
• 2 tickets to the gala
• Logo/company recognition on program, eblasts, and signage
• Script recognition
• Full page digital ad (7.75 x 7.75 inches)

Wine Sponsor (2 available, $5,000 each)

• Recognition of sponsorship at each table
• 2 tickets to the gala
• Logo/company recognition on program, eblasts, and signage
• Script recognition
• Full page digital ad (7.75 x 7.75 inches)

Photobooth Sponsor ($4,000)

• Recognition of sponsorship at photobooth
• Logo on photos
• 2 tickets to the gala
• Logo/company recognition on program, eblasts, and signage
• Script recognition
• Half page digital ad (3.75 x 5.75 inches)

Party Favor Sponsor ($4,000)

• Recognition of sponsorship at each table
• 2 tickets to the gala
• Logo/company recognition on program, eblasts, and signage
• Script recognition
• Half page digital ad (3.75 x 5.75 inches)

Dessert Sponsor ($3,000)

• Recognition of sponsorship at each table
• 1 ticket to the gala
• Logo/company recognition on program, eblasts, and signage
• Script recognition
• Quarter page digital ad (3.75 x 3.75 inches)

Floral Centerpiece (2 available, $3,000 each)

• Recognition of sponsorship at each table
• 1 ticket to the gala
• Logo/company recognition on program, eblasts, and signage
• Script recognition
• Quarter page digital ad (3.75 x 3.75 inches)

Program Sponsor ($3,000)

• Program card and digital program cover recognition
• 1 ticket to the gala
• Logo/company recognition on program, eblasts, and signage
• Script recognition
• Quarter page digital ad (3.75 x 3.75 inches)

Media Sponsor ($3,000) - SOLD OUT! Thank you, Costin Public Outreach Group!

• 4 ticket to the gala
• Logo/company recognition on program, eblasts, and signage
• Script recognition
• Quarter page digital ad (3.75 x 3.75 inches)

Digital ad sponsorships are available for:
Half page ($450, 3.75 x 5.75 inches)

Quarter page ($225, 3.75 x 3.75 inches)

SBE quarter page ($200, 3.75 x 3.75 inches)

To be included in the digital program, a PDF of the ad must be received by 10/30/26 to [email protected] and [email protected].

TABLE SPONSORSHIPS - THANK YOU!

Public Sector:

Private Sector:

SUPPORT OUR SCHOLARSHIPS

Wine and Whiskey Boutique: To donate wine or whiskey to our Wine and Whiskey Boutique, please contact WTS-LA Gala Co-Chairs Aliz Horvath and Renee Battung at [email protected] by October 30, 2026.

Silent Auction: To donate to our silent auction, please contact WTS-LA Gala Co-Chairs Aliz Horvath and Renee Battung at [email protected] by October 30, 2026.

Scholarship Sponsor or Individual Donation: Learn more about how you can contribute to our scholarship fund . We are accpeting scholarship sponsors for 2026 through September 1, 2026. Donations beyond this date will go towards our 2027 scholarships program! Thank you for your generosity!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Where can I contact the organizer with any questions?

If you have any questions about this event, how to register, to request an invoice, or to pay by check, please contact WTS-LA Gala Co-Chairs Aliz Horvath and Renee Battung at [email protected]. A "What to Expect" email will follow closer to the Gala date.

Meal selections and updating names of ticket holders must be completed in Eventbrite prior to October 30, 2026.

What is the refund policy?

Cancellations and refund requests must be made prior to Friday, October 30th at 5pm to receive a partial refund for individual ticket registrations. Note: Eventbrite does not refund the fees associated with each ticket purchase. No refunds will be provided for Gala sponsorships or ad sponsorships; however, please contact us if you would like to inquire about upgrading your sponsorship to a higher level.

What are my transport/parking options getting to the event?

Parking is $26 per vehicle, plus City parking tax, for Self/Valet parking. This excludes overnight parking. Complete your parking payment prior to 6:00 pm across from the Gala check-in table.

The venue is across the street from the 7th/Metro transit station.

Will corporate sponsor vouchers be accepted for this event?

Corporate vouchers will NOT be accepted for this event. Vouchers are only accepted for monthly Programs. If you have any further questions about the Corporate Partner benefits or vouchers, please contact WTS-LA Corporate Relations Chair Rebecca Hardy of JGM at [email protected] / [email protected].

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

Please bring your printed ticket or display your ticket on your mobile device using the Eventbrite app.

May I buy a ticket at the door?

Tickets must be purchased by Friday, October 30th! Once registration is closed, you will no longer be able to purchase tickets through the Eventbrite page. A limited number of late registrations for individual tickets may be avaialble on a first-come basis. Please email us at [email protected] to inquire on availability of late registrations. As this is a highly popular event and space is limited, there is no gurantee that space will be available for late registrations. No day-of walk-in tickets will be available. Buy your tickets early!