The Wharton Club of South Florida held its Annual Corporate Growth Event at the Sabadell Banking Center on Brickell Avenue in Miami.

About 100 people came out just as the sun was setting on Thursday, March 21 to enjoy gorgeous water views from the 30^th floor and listen to the great minds of two South Florida entrepreneurs.

New Wave Surgical’s Alexander Gomez was one of the guest speakers. Alex told his “American Dream” story that actually came true, even when the economy hit some of the worst times seen in decades. Alex also talked about how he cleared the funding hurdle for his new company and how he has learned from his experiences.

The Wharton Club event organizer said the event was extremely successful and members were intrigued by his energy and determination.

Chanel lovers rejoice, Boardroom client Bal Harbour Shops is preparing for the March 21 reopening of the French luxury retailer. Chanel moved to the second level during a months-long facelift – turning it into what is being described as “one of the most beautiful Chanel boutiques in the world.”

At Thursday’s reopening shoppers will be treated to the unveiling of the 2013 Spring/Summer collection, which we understand is based on air, light and energy.

The new 8,000 square foot store also will have an UltraLuxe department. Architect Peter Marino is behind the redesign featuring floor-to-ceiling windows. Chanel commissioned artwork specifically for the Bal Harbour location featuring work by Marc Swanson, Louis Durot, Liza Lou and Peter Dayton.

Click here for more information and pictures about this week’s much-anticipated opening.

What do you get when you put together two buses, 85 commercial real estate professionals, a tour of Palm Beach County’s premier office and industrial real estate projects with lots of food, drink and Free Kindle Fires for all?  You get a great day of networking and great business opportunities.

Anyone know where the North Bridge Commercial Centre building is located?  I didn’t, but later found out it is the one in downtown WPB that everyone refers to as the “Darth Vader” building.  Exhibiting a great sense of humor, the leasing company sponsored a nice luncheon with a very special guest, Darth Vader, of course.  Everyone got to have their photos taken with the guest of honor.

Please join us in supporting Boardroom Communication’s President Julie Talenfeld and her husband Howard as Deliver the Dream’s “Community Champions Couple.” Julie and Howard will be recognized, along with the other prominent honorees, at the 3rd annual Community Champions event Wednesday, April 17 at the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort and Spa in Fort Lauderdale.

The Community Champions event honors outstanding local leaders who are not only successful in their professions but are champions in giving back to our community. Deliver the Dream is a South Florida-based nonprofit that organizes retreats for families experiencing a serious illness or crisis.

Tickets are on sale NOW for $125 per person. To purchase your tickets for this evening, please call 954.564.3512 or Click Here to purchase your tickets online.

To donate to Julie and Howard’s personal fundraising page, please visit https://ddream.ejoinme.org/?tabid=439767&joinme=23346.

Boardroom Communications hosted a joyous party for University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications alumni. More than 75 people attended the “Hello Goodbye”-themed party held at the home of Julie Talenfeld, UF84 alum and president of Boardroom Communications.  The party was an opportunity for local Gators to welcome Diane McFarlin as the new dean of the UF J-School, and to bid farewell to Dr. John Wright and to thank him for his years of service to the school. This is the second time Julie and her husband Howard hosted a UF alumni event with the firm.

Among the guests were WPLG-TV longtime anchor Kristi Krueger, WPLG-TV reporter Jeff Weinsier and WPBT-TV President Rick Schneider, along with Director of Public Affairs and Business Development of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Doug Bartel, and Nova Southeastern University Director of Public Affairs Julie Spechler.

Thank you to everyone that came to help us welcome Dean McFarlin to the College of Journalism and Communications. We are also very grateful for all of Dr. Wright’s years and commitment to the University of Florida, and we wish him the best in this next chapter.

It was great to see new and old friends and to celebrate UF. As always, IT’S GREAT TO BE A FLORIDA GATOR!

As the sun set in North Miami Beach on Feb. 28, potential buyers and city officials gathered to cut the ribbon on the sales center for the two-tower Marina Palms Yacht Club & Residences project.

Throughout the night, almost 800 people came to celebrate the opening of the 10,000 square-foot sales center containing a full-size unit complete with furnishings.

Among the party goers was WPLG Channel 10 reporter Janine Stanwood.

There was great food, upbeat music, plentiful drinks and luxurious yachts , all which led to seven units sold at the event itself.

Party sponsors include Ferretti Yachts, South Florida Luxury Guide, Bartenura and Yates Magazine.

Once completed, Marina Palms Yacht Club & Residences will be the first luxury condominium and full-service marina/yacht club development in Miami-Dade County in more than 20 years. Developed by affiliates of The DevStar Group and The Plaza Group, the two residential towers each will have 25 floors with a combined 468 condo units. The marina and yacht club will offer concierge service and 112 slips with mooring for yachts in excess of 90 feet.

To see some more photos from the event visit the Boardroom Communications’ Facebook page!

More than 200 judges, attorneys, business professionals and child advocates attended last night’s Florida’s Children First (FCF) Broward Child Advocacy Awards and Reception, with a record breaking $125,000 raised so far! This marks the most successful FCF event to date.

FCF is the state’s premier child advocacy organization, and the event served to raise awareness and funds for the organization and its mission. Among this year’s inspiring honorees were children’s issues writer Carol Marbin Miller of the Miami Herald, Kirk Brown from Handy, Inc., Children’s Advocate Anne Alper, as well as Youth Honorees Brandon Burke, Breon Callins and Kaydrin Herbert.

A non-profit organization, FCF seeks meaningful and sustainable improvements in all child-serving systems, with a special emphasis on the foster care system. The organization is based in Coral Springs and has offices in Tampa and Jacksonville, and works all over the state. For more information, visi http://www.floridaschildrenfirst.org/

We hope you will join us this Thursday, Feb. 28 at the Florida’s Children First (FCF) Broward Child Advocacy Awards and Reception. The event will be held in downtown Fort Lauderdale at the Tower Club, at the top of One Financial Plaza, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. FCF is the state’s premier child advocacy organization, and the event will help raise awareness and funds.

Among this year’s inspiring honorees are children’s issues writer Carol Marbin Miller of the Miami Herald, Kirk Brown from Handy, Inc., Children’s Advocate Anne Alper, as well as Youth Honorees Brandon Burke, Breon Callins and Kaydrin Herbert.

A $100 donation is suggested, with all proceeds benefiting Florida’s Children First. For more details, or to RSVP, please email fcf@floridaschildrenfirst.org or call 954-796-0860.

Florida’s Children First serves as a “watchdog” agency, holding the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) and others accountable, and helping them do a better job at protecting the children who need their services. A non-profit organization, FCF seeks meaningful and sustainable improvements in all child-serving systems, with a special emphasis on the foster care system. The organization is based in Coral Springs and has offices in Tampa and Jacksonville, and works all over the state.

Please join Florida’s Children First February 28, 2013, as the organization honors child advocates in the Broward area and raises awareness for child welfare issues.

The reception will take place at the Tower Club from 5:30-7:30pm. Business casual attire. Heavy hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be served.

RSVP HERE. For more information, call 954-796-0860 or email fcf@floridaschildrenfirst.org.