By Amy Gudmestad, MICC Chief Executive Officer
On Saturday night, March 14, 2026, we gathered at the historic The Depot Minneapolis for MICC’s 23rd Annual Gala. As CEO, I have the unique privilege of seeing this evening from the stage — and what I saw was something truly extraordinary.
Leading up to the event, many of us had a few sleepless nights. No matter how carefully you plan a gala, there is one thing you simply cannot control: the weather. With blizzard conditions in the forecast, we held our breath and hoped for the best.
And thankfully, the storm held off just long enough.
Guests made their way safely to the event and later back home or to their hotels before the snow arrived. That small window felt like a gift — because what happened inside that room deserved to happen exactly the way it did.
This year marked a special milestone as well: our 20th year with our fan-favorite auctioneer and my good friend, Glen Fladeboe. The energy in the room shifted the moment Glen stepped onto the stage. Our guests know him well, and the excitement was immediate.
But Glen wasn’t the only star of the evening.
My co-emcee, Stephanie, delivered a speech that absolutely brought the room to life. Stephanie shared her personal journey — how she advocated for herself to attend MICC because she wanted independence and a future of her own design. Today she is living on her own and working, building the life she envisioned. When she finished speaking, the entire room rose to its feet in a standing ovation.
It was one of those moments you don’t forget.
Another powerful moment came from our parent speaker, Bill Robertson. Bill spoke with honesty and heart about the struggles and pride that come with parenting, and about the deep love he feels for his daughter Brooke. His words reminded all of us why MICC’s mission matters — and how meaningful it is that we have broadened the age range of the individuals we serve.
And don’t forget, the premiere of our incredible gala video featuring MICC participant Matt ‘17! Matt shared his story of joining MICC through the Summer program, later graduating from the College program and continuing in the Community program. Along the way, he kept building his skills, confidence, and independence. When he needed a career skills boost, there was MICC’s newest career program, and it opened the door to an incredible opportunity, his dream job at the Walker Art Center. In case you missed it, check out the video here.
Of course, the evening wouldn’t be complete without the excitement of our live auction.
From the stage, you can see just how full the room is — and this year, it was packed. We had anticipated about 800 guests, and even with a blizzard approaching, we came remarkably close to that number.
Glen certainly had his hands full.
Bidders were calling from one side of the room to the other, surrounded by friends and family cheering them on at their tables. The excitement rippled across the ballroom with every bid.
No MICC Gala would be complete without one of the most beloved moments of the night: Heads and Tails.
This simple game of chance — flipping a coin and choosing heads or tails — has become a true MICC tradition. Our participants actually practice for it all year long. When the final contestants come up to the stage, the energy becomes something out of a game show. The crowd begins shouting “HEADS!” or “TAILS!” to the person they’re cheering for, and suddenly it feels like the audience of The Price Is Right.
It’s joyful, loud, and absolutely unforgettable.
The joy actually started before the program even began.
Guests were lined up early outside the doors, dressed in this year’s space-themed attire. From the stage, I saw stars, astronauts, aliens, planets, the Northern Lights, and plenty of Star Wars characters. But my personal favorite had to be Claudia, who arrived dressed as Barf from Spaceballs — an unforgettable costume and a perfect reminder that this event never takes itself too seriously.
From where I stood on stage, all I could see were smiling faces.
I could feel the joy in the room. The happiness of being together. The shared understanding of why we were there.
Our longtime gala supporters helped set the tone, and our newcomers quickly caught the spirit of the evening — many of them telling us they hoped to be invited back next year.
We closed the night with our Fund-A-Need moment, immediately following Bill’s remarks. The room understood that it was now their turn to step forward and support MICC’s mission.
And step forward they did.
The generosity in that moment truly blew me away. As I shared in my remarks that evening, it is the people in that room who make MICC’s mission possible. Their support creates opportunities for our participants to live full and meaningful lives.
In a world that often feels confusing and anxiety-driven, I can tell you this: from my view on that stage, I saw none of that.
What I witnessed was something far more powerful — a massive coming together. A wave of pure joy. A sense of connection and purpose filled every corner of that room.
Only those who were there can truly understand what it felt like.
I am deeply grateful to the entire MICC team who worked tirelessly to make this event so special. And to the hundreds of supporters who showed up — even with a blizzard on our tails — thank you.
You made the night unforgettable.
Want to re-live the fun? Check out the livestream video on YouTube or scroll through our Facebook album with event images from Coppersmith Photography!