Hughes Supply, Inc. (Orlando, Fla.) is celebrating its 75th anniversary with a series of gala celebrations in cities around the country. Recent events included a June 10 bash at the Daytona International Speedway in Florida, with attendance reaching 3,600. That was double the size of its first event held in Atlanta last April.

Through a random drawing at Daytona, 200 customers won a free Richard Petty Driving Experience that included trips around the racetrack with a professional driver at speeds up to 175 miles per hour. Free food, drinks, and discounts with vendors were an added attraction for the participants. More than 95 of Hughes' vendors attended the event and showcased their products.

Two days later, Hughes attracted more than 2,500 people and 85 vendor displays to a similar event at Tampa's Raymond James Stadium. Through a random drawing, Hughes customers received 100 private tailgate and game tickets for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Dallas Cowboys game next season.

"Having the (Daytona and Tampa) events so close together was a lot of hard work, but you just can't understand the energy at one of these events until you experience it personally," said Hughes President and CEO Tom Morgan.

Hughes will host eight more similar events in Charlotte; Washington, DC; Phoenix; Denver; Houston; Dallas/Ft. Worth; Ft. Myers/Naples, Fla.; and Miami.