2022
First Responder
Gala
2022 First Responder Gala Sponsors
Contact us if you would like to be a sponsor for the 2022 First Responder Gala
Keynote Speaker
Travis Howze
Iowa First Responder Gala
October 22, 2022
Ticket Prices:
(Additional fees may apply)
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One Ticket Early Bird- $75.00
Regular Price - $85.00
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Two Tickets Early Bird - $140.00 (use coupon code "Buy2")
Regular Price - $160
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​Whole Table Early Bird (10 Tickets) - $650.00 (use coupon code "Buy10")
Regular Price- $750
Event Details:
Saturday, October 22, 2022
5pm-12am
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Location
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The Rewind West Des Moines, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
6075 Mills Civic Pkwy, West Des Moines, IA 50266
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Special room rates of $149.00 a night are available.
Rooms are limited. Hotel reservations can be made below.
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Program Outline
5pm - 6pm : Cocktail hour, get settled in
6 pm: Dinner
6:45 pm: Comedian/Police Officer Sean O'Neill
7:15 pm: KEYNOTE SPEAKER TRAVIS HOWZE
8:30 pm: Comedian Willie Farrell
9pm-12am: Dancing/Drinks
9 pm: Silent Auction/Raffle Closes & announcement of winners
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2022 Program
Travis Howze
Travis Howze is an international touring speaker, author, and motivational wellness educator who spent 14 years in the military and emergency services as a U.S. Marine, Police Officer and Firefighter.
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From taking human life to being assigned to the body recover team of 9 brother firefighters, including one of his best friends, Travis was plagued with extreme Post Traumatic Stress dating back to early childhood. With little to no resources available during his recovery, he decided to become a resource by developing "Post Traumatic Purpose - an empowering, educational course and keynote presentation on Leadership, Mental Wellness and Resiliency."
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Authentically raw and uncensored, Post Traumatic Purpose gives a realistic view of the mental health epidemic that plagues our first responders and their families. Travis' transparent approach builds a relatability that not only connects with the individual responder but their families; including spouses who are always encouraged to attend in hopes of promoting career and family longevity.
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His motivational message focuses on mental health; targeting in on signs and symptoms affected personnel may be displaying through various behavioral patterns and changes, ways of coping with trauma as it applies to the individual, the family and the team. Travis provides a holistic talk by covering various available resources, the culture and why many never seek help. He is the author of the Best Selling book and top ranked Podcast both titled, "Create Your Own Light."
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For over a decade, he has had the pleasure of speaking and teaching to departments nationwide and countless emergency services and mental health conferences, including law enforcement, firefighters, clinicians, the FBI, SWAT teams, private mental health organizations, and the top nationally ranked university student veterans' program.
Willie Farrell
Comedian
Willie has performed in most comedy clubs around the country, including appearances at the Maxim Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. He is also a favorite morning show guest on a Des Moines radio station.
Sean O'Neill
Police Officer/Comedian
Sean O'Neill got started in Stand-Up Comedy in the Spring of 2010, but he was no stranger to the stage before that as he began performing in High-School. He performed in many different musical theater and dramatic theater productions in New York where he was nominated and awarded an Excellence in Acting award from The Theater Association of New York State (TANYS).
In 2010, he began his Stand-Up Comedy career. He began performing at the renowned Comedy Cabana in Myrtle Beach South Carolina and in 2011, performed in and won Myrtle Beach’s Best Comic Competition. Since then, he has had the pleasure of sharing the stage with countless Nationally known Comedians such as Basile, Bobby Collins, Gary Valentine, Manny Olivera, Drew Thomas, Josh Sneed, Pete Lee, and many more.
He has a very fun and light-hearted style of comedy that appeals to a variety of age groups and backgrounds with most of his material coming from personal experience and events.