On July 11, 2023, the prestigious ‘Teqball USA Pre-ESPY Luxury Lounge, presented by GBK Brand Bar and LA Magazine, held at the LaPeer Hotel in West Hollywood, provided a remarkable experience for ESPY Nominees, Presenters, Top Athletes, and other renowned personalities. This exclusive event granted over $40,000 worth of gifts to these esteemed individuals. The ESPY Awards, which recognize outstanding athletes and sports performances of the year, added to the allure of the occasion.
GBK Brand Bar, under the leadership of its CEO Gavin Keilly, famously known as the “Gift bag King,” has established itself as the industry leader in luxury celebrity gift lounges. With their commitment to creating extraordinary experiences, this year’s lounge showcased a diverse range of exciting gifts for the invited guests. Notable offerings included a trip from Lush African Safari, an oceanfront villa from Sailrock Resort, a sleek Teqball table to be donated to the Talent’s preferred school or charity, PHASE Activewear, Savant’s Cync Smart Indoor Camera for enhanced security, El Cristiano Tequila, a $5,000 certificate from LA SMILE, and various other delightful surprises.
Dr. Richard Lapchick, his wife Ann with GBK Brand Bar CEO Gavin Keilly & Tara Jane at the 2023 Teqball Pre ESPY Lounge Presented by GBK Brand Bar and LA Magazine. Photo by Tiffany Rose
Esteemed celebrities had the unique opportunity to participate in a friendly pickleball match against a professional player, all in support of various charitable causes. The lounge actively highlighted the Alexander Graham Bell (AG Bell) Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, along with the Eli A. Wolff Memorial Fund for Disability Justice in Sport. Philanthropy lies at the heart of GBK Brand Bar’s values, and each lounge serves as a platform to raise awareness, foster celebrity partnerships, and contribute to the community. Remarkably, GBK Brand Bar has raised an astounding $10 million over the past two decades, supporting over 40 causes, firmly establishing their dedication to making a positive impact.
Notably, the lounge attracted some of the biggest names in the sports world, including David Justice, TJ Ward, Zion Bowens, James Worthy, Odafe Oweh, Dion Dawkins, Norman Nixon, Chuck Aoki, Marcus Williams, Rodney Peete, Akbar Gbajabiamila, Erin Coscarelli, Isaac Keys, Darrell Taylor, Jerry Jacobs, Theotis Beasley, Brittany Gilman, Walther Thurmond III, NFAPA President, James Washington, and Marcus Williams. Among the attendees were several ESPY nominees and past winners, such as Susannah Scaroni, Cheri Blauwet, Erika McKee, Sara Reinerstein, MJ Acosta, and Mallory Weggemann. The presence of human rights activist Richard Lapchick, who received the Stuart Scott ENSPIRE Award at the ESPYS, added an unexpected element of surprise.
David Justice receiving Signal Relief pain patch at the 2023 Teqball Pre ESPY Lounge presented by GBK Brand Bar and LA Magazine. Photo by Craig Block.
Inside the lounge, distinguished guests indulged in delightful spirits provided by El Cristiano Tequila, Calabria Family Wines, and Quixote Winery. They savored specially prepared sandwiches from Ike’s Love & Sandwiches and refreshed themselves with Topo Chico mineral water. ADM Entertainment set the mood with the hottest tunes, ensuring an entertaining atmosphere. House of Pickleball offered lessons, and Teqball USA showcased their remarkable curved table, providing guests with a chance to play for their chosen charitable cause. Additionally, Kalmado Aromasound Therapy Candles and PNKY, a pinky stabilizer for smartphones, contributed additional gifts to enhance the experience.
Check out all the Brands!
ADM Entertainment is a DJ and corporate DJ & Emcee service provider based in Southern California and beyond.
Best Buddies is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). More information about their work can be found at bestbuddies.org.
Calabria Family Wines is a renowned wine producer that has been in operation for 75 years. Through determination, hard work, and family vision, Calabria Family Wines has become one of Australia’s top 20 wine producers. They offer wines priced at $60.00.
The Eli A. Wolff Memorial Fund for Disability Justice in Sport is named after Eli A. Wolff, a Human Rights Activist, Paralympian, Co-Director of the Power of Sport Lab, and the Founder of the ESPY Award for Best Male and Female Athlete with a Disability. Donations can be made to this fund through the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE).
ESPY Nominee Erica McKee, her husband (L) paralympian Kevin McKee, previous ESPY winner Sarra Reinersten, and paralympian Cheri Blauwet. Photo by Tiffany Rose.
House of Pickleball is a premier event planner that offers exclusive pickleball parties in the privacy of your own home or club. They are gifting a 90-minute pickleball lesson gift certificate, which can be redeemed for their services. The value of the gift certificate is $250.00.
Ike’s Love & Sandwiches is a sandwich shop that offers a wide range of options for meat eaters, vegans, vegetarians, and gluten-free individuals. They are providing a $1,000.00 Ike’s Sandwiches Black & Gold VIP Gift Certificate, which can be used at their establishment.
Kalmado Aromasound offers therapy candles designed to help calm mental health conditions. Their candles are priced at $88.00.
Los Angeles Magazine is a premier luxury lifestyle guide to the city, offering readers on-trend and must-see hot spots, stories, and tips. They have partnered with Flexpower to give away botanical-infused skin care – scent-free pain relief & recovery lotions. The value of this giveaway is $100.00.
Lush Africa Safaris is a top US-based and Africa-operating travel company that arranges personalized safaris for travelers from around the world. They are gifting a 3-5 day African Safaris to East Africa, valued at $25,000.00.
PHASE is a streetwear brand that combines fashion, artistry, and self-expression. Their products are priced at $150.00.
PNKY® offers the “Better Balance Has Arrived.” Pinky Stabilizer for Smart Phone Use. This innovative product aims to enhance smartphone use. The price of the Pinky Stabilizer is $71.50.
El Cristiano Tequila is a renowned tequila brand known for its delicious and additive-free tequila. Made by third-generation master tequila makers using the finest Jalisco Highlands Blue Agave, El Cristiano Tequila is highly regarded. The price of their tequila is $149.00.
Quixote Winery produces elegant Cabernet Sauvignon & Petite Sirah made from grapes grown in the Stags Leap District of Napa Valley. Their wines are priced at $310.00.
Sailrock Resort is a premier luxury Turks and Caicos resort. They are offering a 5-night stay in their private villas, valued at $8,000.00.
Savant presents a Cync Smart Indoor Camera for added security and peace of mind. They also offer a neon smart light that changes colors to music and during light shows. The value of this package is $190.00.
Signal Relief offers a patented, micro-technology pain relief patch that reduces the impact of pain in minutes. This chemical and battery-free patch is priced at $149.00.
A warm summer day in Hollywood at the GBK Brand Bar for the ESPYS
Smile Specialists is a cutting-edge dental office located in the highly coveted Beverly Hills Triangle. They are offering a $5,000.00 gift certificate, which can be used for their dental services.
Teqball USA provides Teqball tables, which are multifunctional sports equipment that can be used to play six different sports. They are gifting a Teqball table valued at $5,000.00.
The Alexander Graham Bell (AG Bell) Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is a global non-profit 501(c)(3) organization working to ensure that people who are deaf and hard of hearing can hear and talk. Future grants will be given in the name of attending celebrities to support families with children who have hearing loss. More information about the association can be found at agbell.org.
Topo Chico is a sparkling mineral water brand sourced and bottled in Monterrey, Mexico since 1895. They are making a donation as part of the event.
In total, the combined value of all the items and donations is $45,517.50.
As part of GBK Brand Bar’s commitment to giving back, CEO Gavin Keilly partnered with Best Buddies, the Eli A. Wolfe Memorial Fund for Justice in Sport, and The Alexander Graham Bell (AG Bell) Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing for this event. Since 2002, GBK Brand Bar has donated over $10 million to more than 50 charities, further solidifying their dedication to making a difference.
