Over 200 people attended the celebration Exhibition launch at the Welcome Swallow Gallery that began at 1pm and concluded at 7.30pm. The evening segment was MC'd by businessman Neil Richardson with speeches from Trust Chair, Dorothy Gilson, Dealer Principal at Audi, Andrew Unternahrer and Kirstin Tye from Calder and Lawson who presented the Volunteers' Choice Award that was won by Marilyn Rea-Menzies for her work, Kauri with Ribbonwood Flowers. Marilyn received a $500 travel voucher from the Award sponsor.

Trust Chair, Dorothy Gilson said, "We were very pleased with the number of attendees on the launch day and even more gratified that many of the works of art have already been sold".

Waikato District Mayor Allan Sanson addressed the gathering, praising the initiative of opening the new Gallery, noting that it was a significant contribution to the vibrancy of the Hamilton East business community.