Inside The 24th Annual Intercontinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Ball 2018

Photo Credit: Intercontinental Make-A-Wish Ball 2018

Make–A–Wish® Southern Florida and InterContinental® Miami celebrated the 24^th Annual InterContinental® Miami Make–A–Wish® Ball on Saturday, November 3, hosting more than 800 guests at the “Summer of Love”-themed Ball—inspired by freedom, love, dreams and music. As to be expected, the Ball was decked out in an over-the-top, dramatic production by DECO Productions, leaving guests in awe upon arriving at the scene. This year’s event garnered an impressive $2.25 million in proceeds to directly benefit the Make–A–Wish® Southern Florida chapter, granting the wishes of hundreds of terminally-ill children in the area. 

Photo Credit: Intercontinental Make-A-Wish Ball 2018Intercontinental Make-A-Wish Ball 2018

Upon arriving at the red carpet, guests were greeted by entertainers dressed in ethereal white gowns with floral headpieces. Welcoming guests were the Ball’s “Three Amigos”—Shareef Malnik, Chairman of the Board Emeritus of Make–A–Wish® Southern Florida, Gala Chair of the InterContinental® Miami Make–A–Wish® Ball, and proprietor of The Forge Restaurant | Wine Bar; Robert Hill, Gala Host and General Manager of InterContinental® Miami; and Norman Wedderburn, President and CEO of Make–A–Wish® Southern Florida.

Photo Credit: Intercontinental Make-A-Wish Ball 2018

Photo Credit: Manny Hernandez / MannyofMiami.com

Returning to the stage as the Ball Emcee for the eight consecutive year was actress and, filmmaker and Ambassador for Make–A–Wish® Southern Florida, Gabrielle Anwar, who revved up the crowd to get the live auction going by making her grand entrance with husband and Ball Chairman Shareef Malnik. The auction list included an endless lineup of lust-worthy items and experiences, including the very special Haute Living Paris Fashion Week Experience in partnership with Domaine Bertaud Belieu Rosé, valued over $25k. The experience includes å VIP Paris Fashion Week trip, including roundtrip first-class airline tickets, a four-night stay at Le Bristol Paris, and a specially-curated lineup of exclusive dinner and events with private transportation. 

Photo Credit: Intercontinental Make-A-Wish Ball 2018

Photo Credit: Intercontinental Make-A-Wish Ball 2018

Highlights of the evening included a gourmet dinner from InterContinental Miami Executive Chef Jhonnatan Contreras, a performance from The Voice 2016 winner Alisan Porter and of course, a special live performance from headliners and two-time GRAMMY® Award-winning rock band Chicago Live. The mini-concert had event attendees on their feet, dancing the night away to chart-topping hits including “Saturday in the Park,” “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?” and “Colour My World.”

Photo Credit: Intercontinental Make-A-Wish Ball 2018Intercontinental Make-A-Wish Ball 2018

The legendary Ball continued into the night at the “Sky”-themed 11^th Annual InterContinental® Miami Make–A–Wish® Nightclub, presented by E11EVEN MIAMI and held on the InterContinental® Miami mezzanine. Chaired by Shareef Malnik, Vice-chaired by Ken DeGori, co-produced by Maxwell Blandford and Clif Loftin, with creative direction by DECO Productions, Jesus Rivera of Saks Fifth Avenue and Danny Santiago, the Nightclub featured none other than three-time Grammy Award Winner, DJ Wyclef Jean,  The Voice Alum Paxton Ingram and DJ Affect.

Photo Credit: Intercontinental Make-A-Wish Ball 2018