“We Won’t Back Down…We’re Running Down a Dream!”
The Veteran’s Playbook Series Premiere Celebration will take place on November 11, 2023, at Revel 32, in Poughkeepsie, NY!
Join us on November 11, 2023, 6:00-9:30pm, at Poughkeepsie’s historic venue Revel 32º to celebrate the series premiere of Veteran’s Playbook, a new show on Discovery Network’s Destination America! Each story is a journey into a Hero’s military experience, and their transition to civilian life and entrepreneurship.
Hosted by GCSEN Foundation’s Professor Mike Caslin, Executive Producer, the black-tie/military dress event will feature fantastic food and drink, exclusive clips, live music, and more! Honored guests include our eleven Episode Heroes – veterans who “Won’t Back Down”.
On Veteran’s Playbook, we find and feature inspiring veteran ventures. GCSEN’s new National Center for Veteran Ventures will provide future programs for active duty, veterans, and military families.
- Exclusive clips from our prime-time TV show
- A performance by the Tom Prettys , all-female Tom Petty cover band
- Food and drink from celebrity chef David Burke *
- Celebrity photographer Ilan Harel
- Poughkeepsie High School Jr. ROTC Color Guard Performance
- Informational displays from our episode heroes (see below!)
- Text-A-Pledge
- Awards ceremony
- Dancing and a fun, memorable night for veterans and their friends and supporters
- Exclusive pre-event cocktail hour for VIP Sponsors ($6000 and up)
What's even better than attending such a fabulous celebration? Sponsoring veterans to attend the event as well!
Groups of tickets are available at a range of support levels:
Corps Champion $150,000- Marquee Event Sponsor, Co-Host:
- 26 veteran tickets, 26 guest tickets, plus:
- Co-presenter at awards ceremony
- Social media features, PR
- Name/ logo on signage and promotional materials
- Invite to pre-show cocktail hour to meet our Episode Heroes
Command Operations Champion $50,000- Awards Presenter:
- 20 tickets for veterans, 20 tickets for guests
- Invite to pre-show cocktail hour to meet our Episode Heroes
- social media features, PR
Division Champion $24,000:
10 veteran tickets, 10 sponsor tickets –plus social media features, PR
Brigade Champion $6,000:
6 tickets for the sponsor, social media listing, PR
Overwatch Champion $2,000:
2 tickets, social media listing, PR
Friend of Veteran’s Playbook $1,000:
1 ticket, program listing
Buy Tickets Below
(One ticket will be sent, but we will email you to collect names of guests.)
Are you an active duty military family member or veteran who is interested in attending the premiere for free? Click here to get on the waiting list to get tickets from our generous donors!
About Our Venue:
Revel 32: Famed Poughkeepsie, NY 19th-century architect Arnout Cannon designed this building on the street named for him in downtown Poughkeepsie. Built in 1845 as a church and redesigned by Cannon as a Masonic Temple in 1895, the glorious Gilded Age structure at 32 Cannon Street—instantly recognizable by the opulent Grecian columns adorning its facade—was said to have been the architect’s favorite project.
Cannon, a veteran of the Civil War, was the first of many veterans associated with the building throughout its years. Currently, one of the owners is a Vietnam vet, and the head chef is a Desert Storm veteran. This, combined with the building’s beauty and grandeur, and the stellar team that runs it now as an event venue, is why the makers of Veteran’s Ventures knew it would be the perfect place to hold our Series Premiere Celebration.
Thanks to:
Command Operations Champions:
Diana Davis Spencer Foundation
More donation options available!
Contact us for more details**: mike@gcsen.com or call Mike at 212-444-2071Donate by mail: GCSEN Foundation, 691 Hurley Avenue, Hurley, NY 12443*Invited guest.
**All donations are tax-deductible and support GCSEN’s programs and operations, as well as the launch of its new National Center for Veteran Ventures and the Veteran’s Playbook season.
Meet Our Episode Heroes:
“IRON” Mike Steadman – Newark, NJ, Marine Corps Platoon Commander. IRONBOUND Boxing Academy, IRONBOUND Courage Academy, IRONBOUND Media. Iron Mike and his ventures are changing the lives of young people as well as other veteran entrepreneurs.
Andrew Beaudoin – Saranac Lake, NY, U.S. Army Sergeant, paratrooper, wounded in Afghanistan. AJ uses his passion for fishing and the outdoors in his venture, Battle Fish Charters, helping fellow vets to “Stop battling anxiety and battle fish for the day!”
Alexander Othmer – Beacon, NY, Navy SEAL. Alex is helping other vets heal with the help of dogs, music, nature, and peer support at Guardian Revival, where they provide community services to help vets and first responders.
Corrie Mays – Cape Cod, MA, Marines, Weapons Systems Flight Officer, Naval Flight Officer for the “Blue Angels.” Corrie and her sister saved Plum Porch, a landmark local business, from closing down, and built it into the #1 gift shop on the Cape, despite the challenges of Covid.
Charlie Webb – Poughkeepsie, NY, U.S. Army Staff Sergeant. Charlie is passionate about food and community. His venture, Hudson & Packard, offers award-winning Detriot-style pizza. They served free food to first responders and hospitals throughout Covid lockdown.
Daryian Rhysing – Pittsfield, MA U.S. Army Aircraft Electrician. His company, UAT: United Aircraft Technologies, is introducing ground-breaking new technologies, like smart electrical systems for safety, in the aerospace industry, creating good jobs in their community.
Patrick Powers – Newport, RI, U.S. Army Deputy Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command Central. Patrick uses Gold Star Sailing, a summer camp for teens who have lost a parent in military service, to help kids heal, bond, and learn the joys and challenges of sailing.
D’Shawn Russel – Raeford, NC. Made a mid-life career change from math teacher to military spouse entrepreneur. She had no business experience but she turned her hobby of candle making into a multi-million dollar business. She credits the military and veterans with much of her success and strongly encourages military spouses to have a side hustle that can travel with them.
More heroes to come...
MORE WAYS TO HELP VETS!
If you can’t make it to our celebration, but would still like to help us help our veterans, please consider a donation. GCSEN is a 501(c) 3 non-profit educational foundation and we need your help to fund our new National Center for Veteran Ventures.