Now in its 14th year, the Best Buddies Miami gala took place on November 19 on Watson Island. Some 800 guests attended the ball, one of several events put on globally by Best Buddies International, a nonprofit that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships between volunteers and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Whereas last year the event took on an Americana look to celebrate the organization’s presence in all 50 states, this year the organizers staged an international-themed party to recognize the expansion of programs to 50 countries—part of a Best Buddies initiative to impact 500,000 people by the end of 2010. Large and small props took over the space, representing different regions and cultures of the world from Mexico to Morocco, and for the first time, participants from Best Buddies programs in Australia and Russia were invited to come and speak at the event.
The event's footprint was the same as last year, with two EventStar tents covering about 35,000 square feet, one for the cocktail-turned-concert area, V.I.P. lounges, and silent auction, and another for the dinner and live auction. “Certainly the hotel option would be easier to do,” said Best Buddies vice president of special events Scott Tracy, who worked with Promoterline to produce the event. “However, you are limited in what you can produce. With large tents you can really create your event specifically to fit your needs and design, large props can be incorporated, and your theme can really come to life. Also, we feel the hotel option is a little stale."
The foundation also opted to once again have a young, up-and-coming R&B singer as the headliner. Last year, Chris Brown performed in an effort to improve his public image. This year, Miami native Jason Derulo sang for gala attendees and more than 250 Miami-Dade and Broward County students, who bought separate tickets for the concert, billed as the “Best Buddies Bash.”
“Young R&B/pop artists are very popular here in Southern Florida,” said Tracy. “We see the importance of including youth into our events, as they will be important in carrying on the mission of Best Buddies in the future. We found using the musical act to bridge the two—the established crowd and the younger crowd—works well.”
In anticipation of Art Basel, select works from the Best Buddies Fine Art Collection, including pieces by gala co-chair Romero Britto and Julian Schnabel, were on display (and for sale), with proceeds going toward Best Buddies. In total, the evening raised $1.1 million.
Presented by Audi and the GEO Group, the gala had a total of 50 sponsors. Next year, Best Buddies will celebrate the event’s 15th anniversary on November 18.
