MLB All-Star Week in Miami, July 6-11, electrified Miami with a great series of events for kids, families and baseball fans, including PLAY BALL Park, an interactive program providing fun, engaging and educational activities, the Electric Run MLB All-Star 5k and concert turned dance party on Saturday, July 8th , the MLB All-Star Zumba®, on Sunday, July 9, the Home Run Derby on Monday, July 10, and wrapping up with the 88th MLB All-Star Game, on Tuesday, July 11.
On Monday, July 10, members of the Miami Dade business community had the opportunity to hear from MLB Commissioner Robert D. Manford at an All-Star Luncheon hosted in the Diamond Club at Marlins Park. The event was jointly presented by the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, Miami Marlins, Miami Dade Coalition of Chambers of Commerce and sponsored by U Health Sports Medicine Institute.
Lee Kaplan, M.D., associate professor of orthopaedics and chief of UHealth Sports Medicine spoke to the guests of his long association with many players and addressed the medical concerns of athletes, and programs to bring more awareness in sports.
Miami Marlins President David Samson introduced the Commissioner who discussed change in the rules of the game and took questions from the audience. Manford spoke of MLB’s commitment to youth legacy, as seen in the PLAY BALL park, and other activities in the community during All-Star Week, and four areas to tighten up concerning the length of the game: the mound visits, the pitch clock, re-plays and commercial breaks.
Among the VIP Table Sponsors for the luncheon were: Bank of America, ChamberSOUTH, Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, Greater Miami & the Beaches Hotel Association, Miami Dade Chamber of Commerce, Miami Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, Miami Marlins, UHealth Sports Medicine Institute, Florida Community Bank. Other business entitites attending the event included Becker & Poliakoff, P.A., Gibralar Private Bank & Trust, Grove Bank & Trust, Level 3 Communicaitons, Miami Dolphins, Miami Lighthouse for the Blind & Visually Impaired, Miami Parking Authority, University of Miami.
The luncheon and the All-Star Week were a big home run for Miami (with the exception that Giancarlo Stanton didn’t win the Home Run Derby).
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- Luncheon held in the Diamond Club at Marlins Park
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- Emcee Coral Gables Chamber President Mark Trowbridge greeting a luncheon guest.
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- Alfred Sanchez, President & CEO, Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce welcoming the luncheon guests.
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- Greater Miami & The Beaches Hotel Association Executive Director Wendy Kallergis with Board members.
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- Alfred Sanchez, President & CEO, Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, Mark A. Trowbridge, President & CEO, Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, Dave Howard, Chief Executive Officer, Briteline, John Allen, Vice President of Operations, Home Financing Center, Inc. & Chairman, Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, William D. Talbert III, President & CEO, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau and Alfredo Mesa, Vice President & Executive Director, Marlins Foundation.
