2024 Miami Gala logo

The 26th Annual Best Buddies Miami Gala and Champion of the Year is a spectacular and impactful event benefitting Best Buddies’ mission.

Limited to 850 guests, including business leaders, political dignitaries, sports figures, and celebrities — Gala attendees will gather to support and celebrate Best Buddies’ mission with a gourmet dinner, dazzling entertainment, and a top-notch auction.

The auction will feature various items, including once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, fine art, exclusive vacations, and sporting events.

Proceeds from the event will go directly to Best Buddies’ mission of creating friendships, jobs, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Saturday, November 16, 2024

Ice Palace Studios 1400 N. Miami Ave., Miami, FL 33136

Dress Code: Cocktail Chic

7:00 p.m. Cocktails and Silent Auction

8:30 p.m. Gourmet Dinner

9:30 p.m. Announcement of the Champion of the Year

10:30 p.m. Musical Performance:

50 CENT

Fifty Cent
Fifty Cent

This image features Guy Fieri (middle) with Chris Gay (left) and Aaron Malman (right). The three are posing together, smiling, and appear to be in a friendly and supportive setting.Chef, restaurateur, New York Times Best-Selling author, and Emmy Award-winning TV host Guy Fieri is one of the world’s most recognizable and influential culinary stars. In 2019, Guy received a star on the celebrated Hollywood Walk of Fame, a rare feat for a chef. This year’s Best Buddies Gala: Miami and Champion of the Year: South Florida will honor Celebrity Chef and Best Buddies Global Ambassador Guy Fieri with the Spirit of Leadership award.

Guy Fieri has always been committed to teaching life skills in the culinary arts through his foundation. He has been an invaluable partner with Best Buddies and has helped empower Jobs participants to gain culinary employment skills. Through his cousin Dougie, he has a personal connection to Best Buddies and believes that the partnership makes a difference in the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Guy believes that giving back is one of the most important things you can do. “I was raised to always help my community and the people that need help, and to participate. You have to be an active member of society.”

FL-2023-Michelle-Kligman-and-Carolina-Rousell.webp

Congrats to Michelle Kligman and Carolina Rousell, our 2022 Champion of the Year.

Together, they raised $55,094 for Best Buddies!

WOW!

Meet Our 2024 Champion of the Year Candidates

This group of dedicated Best Buddies supporters are competing to raise funds to support friendships, jobs, leadership development and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). At this year’s Miami Gala, we will celebrate their fundraising efforts and award the top fundraiser the title of Best Buddies Champion of the Year!

To learn more and to support these individuals’ fundraising efforts, click their profile. For information on becoming a Champion candidate, please contact MarthaLagarde@bestbuddies.org.

Miami Gala FAQs

Ice Palace Studios
1400 N. Miami Ave.,
Miami, FL 33136

The event opens to all guests at 7:00 PM

Individual tickets are no longer available for this event. More information on sponsorship and donation opportunities available here: https://www.bestbuddies.org/miamigala/sponsorships/

The dress code is Cocktail Chic.

Complimentary valet and ride share/private car service drop off/pick up area in the front of the event entrance. Self-parking is not available on the event property.

Sponsors

For information on Sponsorships,
please contact:
Noelle Smikle
Development
NoelleSmikle@bestbuddies.org

Fundraising

Thanks to you, Best Buddies is creating more friendships, jobs and leadership, and inclusive living, and family support opportunities for our program participants!

Auction

For information on Auctions,
please contact:
Marissa Mann
Manager, Special Events Operations
MarissaMann@bestbuddies.org