Miami Beach Ball Honors Local Icons & Fuels Education Ahead of 100th Anniversary
- kathleenl85
- May 9
- 3 min read
The Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce (MBCC) announces the Miami Beach Ball, its 99th annual awards dinner gala and most anticipated event of the year, set for Saturday, May 17 at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel. Presented by City National Bank, the black-tie affair promises an evening of elegance with a mission, drawing more than 600 business leaders and Miami Beach supporters for a glittering celebration of community, progress, and purpose.
With this year’s theme, “From Sand to Sparkle: A Journey Through the Magic of Miami Beach,” the gala will take guests on a captivating, multi-sensory tour of North Beach, Mid-Beach, and South Beach through immersive design, dynamic entertainment, and a culinary experience that showcases the city’s rich cultural tapestry. The night is an embodiment of the city’s vitality and, more importantly, a catalyst for its continued success.
“The Miami Beach Ball reflects the heart of our Chamber’s mission: to bring people together, recognize those who uplift our community, and reinvest in the city’s future,” shared Richard Segal, MBCC Chairman of the Board. “It’s a celebration of what makes Miami Beach extraordinary and a reminder of how much more we can achieve when we lead with purpose.”
As the Chamber’s gala approaches its 100th anniversary, the event remains grounded in the Chamber’s unwavering commitment to the future of the city: its students. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Miami Beach Chamber Education Foundation, a 501(c)(3) dedicated to expanding access to education, healthcare, and career opportunities across the city’s public school feeder pattern.
“More than a celebration, this night is about shaping the future,” said Robin Jacobs, Gala Co-Chair and Co-Chair of Education Foundation. “Every dollar raised translates into real resources for our schools – whether it’s a mental health counselor at Beach High, scholarships for graduating seniors, or a state-of-the-art teaching kitchen that helps students prepare for a career in the culinary industry.”
The Miami Beach Ball is also an opportunity to honor five distinguished individuals and organizations whose contributions have left a lasting mark on the Miami Beach community:
Barry Skolnick, founder of Ikonick Motors and a champion of both philanthropy and entrepreneurship, will receive the Leonard A. “Doc” Baker Lifetime Achievement Award. Through his leadership roles at Mount Sinai Medical Center and the Skolnick Family Charitable Trust, along with his dedication to community development and contemporary art, Skolnick embodies the enduring civic legacy the award celebrates.
Haute Living, the renowned luxury lifestyle magazine, will be honored as Corporate Citizen of the Year for its philanthropic vision and consistent dedication to elevating the quality of life in Miami Beach through strategic partnerships and charitable “Haute Giving” initiatives.
Major Food Group, the hospitality powerhouse behind some of Miami’s hottest restaurants, including Carbone and Sadelle’s, will receive the Excellence in Tourism Award for consistently bolstering Miami Beach’s reputation as a global culinary capital.
Gift of Life Marrow Registry will be recognized with the Jan Pfeiffer Distinguished Service Award for its tireless community involvement across South Florida. Founder and CEO Jay A. Feinberg, a 29-year transplant survivor, has helped to innovate the process of marrow donor registries, bringing worldwide attention to his groundbreaking work in our local communities.
Luther “Uncle Luke” Campbell, a proud alumnus of Miami Beach High School, will be awarded the City National Bank Beach High Outstanding Achievement Award. Beyond his legacy as a key player in the rise of Southern hip-hop, Campbell is celebrated for his commitment to uplifting local student athletes and investing in community empowerment.
In addition to honoring these remarkable changemakers, the evening will feature live entertainment, curated Miami Beach experiences, and a live auction featuring luxury goods, high-end travel packages, and one-of-a-kind opportunities, with proceeds benefiting the Miami Beach Chamber Education Foundation, making it a party with a purpose.
The Miami Beach Ball is an opportunity to honor the city’s past, celebrate the present, and invest in its bright future. With a legacy nearly a century strong, this year’s gala invites the community to come together, give back, and help shape the next chapter of Miami Beach.