STING Headlines Celeb Studded Miami Ball, Raises $5M+ for Make-A-Wish Southern Florida
Miami’s premier charity event draws celebrities including Gala Emcee Gabrielle Anwar, Fat Joe, Karolina Kurkova, Alonzo Mourning, Naeem Khan, Romero Britto and more.
The 28th Annual InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Ball held on November 4, was an extraordinary evening that set a new record by raising over $5 million net of expenses for Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida. This philanthropic event hosted at the iconic InterContinental® Miami, featured a private concert by the legendary Sting, captivating the 900 guests in attendance.
Guided by the dynamic trio known as the “Three Amigos”, Glenn Sampert, Gala Host and General Manager of InterContinental® Miami; Shareef M. Malnik, Gala Chair and Chairman of the InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Nightclub for 16 years and Norman Wedderburn, President and CEO of Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida the night unfolded in grandeur. Actress and filmmaker Gabrielle Anwar, in her 12th year as Celebrity Emcee, added a touch of glamour to the black-tie affair chaired by her philanthropist husband, Shareef M. Malnik.
The star-studded guest list included notable personalities such as supermodel Karolina Kurkova, actor Archie Drury, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez with wife Gloria Suarez, co-host of ABC’s The View Ana Navarro, Miami HEAT Hall of Famer Alonzo Mourning, fashion designer Naeem Khan, artist Romero Britto and more. The InterContinental® Miami was transformed into the fictional “World Museum of Art | Musée Mondial D’art,” immersing guests in the exquisite theme of “OCULUS – Le Sceptre Rose.”
Creative Director Maxwell Blandford orchestrated an immersive experience where attendees became part of “OCULUS” an elite team of spies tasked with identifying burglars and restoring the missing masterpiece, the prized “Le Sceptre Rose.” The hotel’s entrance and lobby paid homage to iconic spy dramas, setting the stage for a night of adventure and intrigue.
Adorned in couture finery, guests graced the “pink carpet” for a photo op at the lavender “step and repeat.” The mezzanine’s cocktail reception featured impressive wall displays of Johannes Vermeer’s “Girl with a Pearl Earring” and animations of Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa,” creating an enchanting atmosphere. Espionage-themed dance performances and wandering “spies” added an extra layer of excitement to the night.
DECO Productions, Mauricio Ferrazza from MIA Animation and Encore seamlessly handled event production, digital content, and AV services. InterContinental® Miami Executive Chef Jhonnatan Contreras presented an opulent raw bar & sushi display, complemented by six whimsical ice carvings in the night’s theme, including the coveted “Le Sceptre Rose” jewel.
The Ball’s silent auction showcased luxury items, including an Aston Martin DBX 707 from THE COLLECTION and pristine jewels from Ammrada. Performers masquerading as secret agents guided attendees to the Grand Ballroom for a choreographed “museum-heist procession” beneath a “Louvre Pyramid” homage. Lavish jewel-tone tablescapes, created by Rick Andrews of Bayfront Floral, boasted centerpieces of lush red roses, deep purple hydrangea, and champagne roses bursting from gold candelabras.
Chef Jhonnatan Contreras crafted a gourmet dinner menu featuring “The Wellington,” a Wagyu beef dish, and the showstopper dessert, “The Stolen Rose.” Mr. and Mrs. Malnik, Shareef, and Gabrielle, kicked off the ballroom festivities with their traditional “dramatic moment,” featuring a “Mr. and Mrs. Smith”-inspired video directed by Edward Perez of GE Vision Studios. World-renowned mentalist Lior Suchard took the stage, astonishing guests with his extraordinary mind-reading skills.
During dinner, “Wish Kid” Libbi, a childhood cancer survivor, was recognized for her wish to visit Walt Disney World. Libbi’s mother, Stephanie, shared their VIP wish experience, courtesy of Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida. Actress and filmmaker Gabrielle Anwar, a Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida Ambassador, conducted her signature Wishes live auction, raising essential funds for the cause.
The Ball’s renowned live auction featured extraordinary experiences and unique items, including the “Dynamic Duo” watches from Ulysse Nardin, a retreat to the Maldives, a Montana getaway, a 2023 Aston Martin DBX 707, a private jet experience from Florida to New York, a live painting by Ahol Sniffs Glue, a Marilyn Monroe masterpiece by David Banegas, a New York City getaway, a creative twist on the Monalisa, and a limited edition Romero Britto print.
The highly anticipated entertainer for the night, presented by the Finker-Frenkel Family Foundation, was Grammy Award-winning megastar Sting. His 45-minute set included chart-topping hits and fan favorites from The Police. Sting encouraged the audience to support Make-a-Wish® Southern Florida, concluding the show with “Every Breath You Take” in dedication to the Make-A-Wish® vision.
VIP gift bags for all guests included artisanal chocolate truffles, binoculars, a soy wax candle, European skincare ampoules, gourmet chocolate bars, a stainless steel cocktail shaker, a $500 gift certificate for the Rene Ruiz Collection, and aromatic home fragrance.
The official after-party, Le Gogo Paris Cabaret: The InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Nightclub presented by E11EVEN Miami, featured multi-platinum-selling artist Fat Joe and a lineup of captivating performances, chaired by Shareef M. Malnik and produced by Ken DeGori, Maxwell Blandford, Clif Loftin, Nick Zazzera and Gus Muñoz.
The 28th edition of the InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Ball adds another remarkable chapter to its 28-year legacy of philanthropy, having raised over $42 million to fulfill the wishes of critically ill children in our community.
Norm Wedderburn, President & CEO of Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida, expressed profound gratitude for the unwavering support, generosity, and dedication of donors, supporters, and contributors to the InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball. Their commitment allows the organization to make a significant and essential difference in the lives of numerous children facing critical illnesses, recognizing that a wish goes beyond luxury, it serves as a vital catalyst for enhanced physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being.
Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida is dedicated to creating transformative experiences for children facing critical illnesses. Established in 1983 by the Plantation Junior Woman’s Club, the Southern Florida chapter has fulfilled over 14,000 wishes. Their vision is to grant the wish of every medically eligible child in South Florida. Annually, Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida grants 550+ wishes locally and collaborates on an additional 200+ wishes with other chapters. They serve children and families across 22 Florida counties, including Southeast and Southwest Florida, the Tampa Bay and Suncoast regions, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. To support their mission.
About InterContinental ® Miami
For four decades, InterContinental® Miami has stood as a prominent landmark on the Downtown Miami skyline. Positioned along the pristine waterfront of Biscayne Bay, the hotel offers a strategic location just moments away from the vibrant Arts & Entertainment district and Miami’s Brickell neighborhood. Serving as a beacon for both business and leisure travelers, the hotel gracefully ascends 34 stories above the city, providing breathtaking panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, Biscayne Bay, and the Port of Miami.
Recently completing a lavish $40 million renovation, the InterContinental® Miami has redefined luxury with its 652 guest rooms, including 22 suites and two presidential suites. The hotel’s allure extends beyond its accommodations, boasting 33 meeting rooms encompassing over 135,000 square feet of versatile indoor and outdoor event space, including the spectacular Grand Ballroom. Culinary enthusiasts can indulge in a variety of dining options, including the signature steakhouse Toro Toro and poolside cocktails at Bluewater.
Ensuring a holistic experience for guests, the hotel features a full-service fitness center and spa, inviting guests to rejuvenate and unwind. The rooftop pool deck, complemented by the lush greenspace of SkyLawn, offers a tranquil escape with captivating vistas.
As a committed corporate citizen of the Miami-Dade community, InterContinental® Miami actively invests in the region through its annual InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Ball and corporate social responsibility program. The hotel’s dedication to sustainability and environmental stewardship is reflected in its prestigious certifications, including IHG Hotels & Resorts’ Hotel of the Year and Sun Sentinel’s Top Workplace. Additionally, the InterContinental® Miami holds the Three Palm certification from Florida’s Green Lodging Program, the Pink Flamingo certification from the Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, and is a proud member of Miami-Dade County’s Plastic Free 305 initiative.
Conveniently located at 100 Chopin Plaza in Miami, the InterContinental® Miami invites guests to experience unparalleled luxury and hospitality. For more information or reservations, individuals can contact 305-577-1000 or visit www.icmiamihotel.com.
The InterContinental® Miami’s partnership with Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida is more than being merely the venue. As the Ball Founder, 28-Year partner and in-kind donor of Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida, the hotel has donated the in-kind value of the event’s food, beverage, parking accommodations and venue expenses, in addition to more than 15,000 management hours
committed to the planning of the Ball over the past 28 years. When referencing the event, please use the following wording and trademark symbols.
