Chicago—DIFFA/Chicago will celebrate 20 years of commitment to fighting AIDS with the "XX Black to Basics" gala. This annual black-tie event was created to generate maximum funding potential for the DIFFA/Chicago Excellence in Care grant program, which has bestowed in excess of $2.5 million to local agencies that provide care to people living with HIV/AIDS.

As the unofficial kickoff to NeoCon®, the 2008 gala will be held on June at McCormick Place West, Skyline Ballroom. Dupont is this year's title sponsor, and Herman Miller is the legacy sponsor, with presenting sponsors, Steelcase and Shaw Contract Group. Host sponsors include Abbott Laboratories, Business Office Systems, Harrington College of Design, INSCAPE, J & J/Invision, Kayhan International, Tandus, Brayton International, Metro, Polyvision, and Vecta. Contract magazine is the event's exclusive media sponsor.

This event promises to be a spectacular evening of dinner, dancing, silent and live auctions, and raising funds to continue to make a difference in the community. For information contact the DIFFA/Chicago office at 312.644.6412, or visit www.diffa.org.