Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science Annual Galaxy Gala and Big Bang

Hosted in Support of New Facility in Downtown Miami’s Museum Park

Nearly 1,000 of Miami’s business, civic, philanthropic and young professional leaders gathered for the Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science’s annual Galaxy Gala and Big Bang. Proceeds from the event support the Museum’s new state of the art facility now under construction in downtown Miami’s Museum Park. The festivities took place at the JW Marriott Marquis and carried a high-tech winter wonderland theme, giving guests a glimpse of the new technologies incorporated into the new Museum.

Designed by WowFactor, guests experienced a seasonal transformation that began during the cocktail hour in a tropical environment complete with lush greenery and palm trees before being whisked away to a winter wonderland featuring blue mood lighting, LED icicle chandeliers, LED DJ booth, falling snow flakes, and cherry blossom branch centerpieces. Arctic animals came to life in the form of augmented reality, making virtual appearances on-screen above the dance floor, adding interactive elements thoroughly engaging and entertaining guests.

Hosted by WPLG Channel 10 reporter Laurie Jennings, the program included a keynote video produced and sponsored by Multivision Video and several award presentations to honor key supporters of the Museum including: The first Corporate Philanthropy Award presented by JP Morgan Chase to Alexander King, a participant from the Museum’s Upward Bound Program which helps first-generation college bound students be prepared for postsecondary study, and to graduate college with a bachelor’s degree in science, math and technology fields.

This year’s Galaxy Gala Committee was co-chaired by Nancy Batchelor and Nicole Lozano; The Honorary Chair was the Batchelor Foundation; the Gala’s Philanthropic Chairs were Trish and Dan Bell, and Host Chairs were Alicia Cervera Lamadrid and Alberto Lamadrid. The Big Bang afterparty was presented by the Museum’s Young Patrons. Gold sponsors of the Gala included The Astor Companies, The Claudia and Steven Perles Family Foundation and The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Major Event Underwriters included Bacardi, Neiman Marcus, JW Marriott Marquis and Southern Wine & Spirits. Official media sponsors of the Galaxy Gala and Big Bang were MIAMI magazine, Selecta (Spanish language) and WPBT2.

The Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science Award was given to Mitchell Less; The Vanguard Award to Paula and Bob Brockway from Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables and Mercedes-Benz of Cutler Bay; and The Visionary award was presented to Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez, on behalf of the citizens of Miami-Dade County.

For more information about the Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science, visit www.miamisci.org or call (305) 646-4224.