Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida and InterContinental® Miami are excited to present the 29th Annual InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Ball on Saturday, November 2, 2024. This highly anticipated event marks the official start of Miami’s charity season and continues to set the standard for fundraising galas in South Florida through its creativity and generous supporters.

Last Year’s Record-Breaking Success

The previous gala raised an impressive $5 million for Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida, helping to grant transformative wishes for children facing critical illnesses. Gala Chair Shareef M. Malnik expresses confidence in the community's generosity, stating, “I have never placed a limit on how generous our community is – because it’s unlimited. And so is the amount the Ball will raise.” Malnik will share his duties with his wife, actor and filmmaker Gabrielle Anwar, who will officially serve as Gala Co-Chair and continue to lead her high-energy Live Wish Auction during the dinner portion of the Ball.

A Trio of Visionaries

Guests will be welcomed by a power trio affectionately known as “The Three Amigos”: Shareef M. Malnik, Gala Co-Chair; Glenn Sampert, General Manager of InterContinental® Miami and Gala Host; and Norman Wedderburn, President and CEO of Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida. These visionaries have been pivotal in the success of the Ball over the years.

The Chairman’s Challenge

In 2011, Malnik established the Chairman’s Challenge, a group of dedicated business, civic, and philanthropic leaders who pledge $25,000 a year for five years to underwrite the costs of the Ball. Members include Marshall Ames, Andrew and Tatsiana Ansin, Nick and Adriana Ayala, Geert-Jan and Joyce Bakker, Dennis Crowley and Maria Haupert, Marko and Shelly Dimitrijevic, Eugene and Brooke Frenkel, Todd and Kim Glaser, Felipe Lafratta (AssociatesMD), Stuart Miller (The Lennar Foundation), Alan Mruvka (StorageBlue), Jim and Sue Oppenheimer, Michael and Caroline Parrish, Richard Polidori, Barry and Missy Skolnick, and an anonymous donor.

This Year’s Theme: “Il Circo: La Madre Della Luce”

The theme for this year’s gala, “Il Circo: La Madre Della Luce,” promises an immersive experience into an Italian circus where fantasy, lighting, and animation converge. Guests will join fictional Il Pagliacci characters in a hunt for “The Mother of Light.” Conceptualized by Gala Creative Director Maxwell Blandford and executed by DECO Productions, the event will feature a grand red-carpet arrival, an elaborate cocktail reception with a silent auction, and a multi-course gourmet meal prepared by InterContinental® Miami Executive Chef Jhonnatan Contreras.

A Night of Celebration and Fundraising

During dessert, Gala Co-Chair Gabrielle Anwar will lead a Live Wish Auction to raise funds for Make-A-Wish®. The evening will culminate with a private concert by a global recording artist, whose identity remains a secret until closer to the event. Past performers have included Diana Ross, Jennifer Hudson, Lenny Kravitz, John Legend, Steven Tyler, Marc Anthony, Adam Lambert, and Sting.

The Afterparty: InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Nightclub

The celebration will continue at the InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Nightclub immediately following the gala. Featuring live entertainment and premium libations, the Nightclub will keep the festivities going until 3 a.m.