November 15, 2023

Galleria Fort Lauderdale

www.HistoryFortLauderdale.org

South Florida’s arts, corporate, education, philanthropy, and media communities will unite to honor Kelley Shanley, president and CEO of Broward Center for the Performing Arts, and Galleria Fort Lauderdale, represented by Melissa Milroy, senior marketing manager, and Mark Trouba, general manager, during  History Fort Lauderdale’s 27th annual History Makers fundraiser set for Wednesday, November 15, from 6 – 8 p.m. at Galleria Fort Lauderdale (2414 East Sunrise Blvd.). WPLG-TV Local 10’s Christina Vazquez will host the yearly special event which recognizes individuals and companies who have made significant contributions to the growth of the City of Fort Lauderdale.

“We are thrilled with the incredible advance support from our sponsoring companies and individuals who support our mission to record and preserve our Broward legacies,” said Patricia Zeiler, executive director of History Fort Lauderdale. “This year’s History Maker honorees, Kelley Shanley and Galleria Fort Lauderdale have made an incredible impact on how we work, live and enjoy our quality of life in Broward County and their leadership has set the bar for the future. We’re excited to connect our community for a celebration of their success.”

Kelley Shanley will be honored as this year’s History Maker for his remarkable achievements during his 25-year tenure at the Broward Center. Under Shanley’s leadership, the Broward Center expanded its reach and impact, focusing on education and community engagement. He oversaw the $30 million revitalization of the iconic Parker Playhouse, invested in an award-winning partnership with Broward County Public Schools, and completed the ambitious $60 million Encore! project, transforming the entire Broward Center campus resulting in an increase of more than 110,000 annual visits and $14 million in additional revenue each year. Shanley has been widely recognized for his arts and business impact in South Florida, receiving honors such as the Carbonell Awards’ George Abbott Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Arts, the Downtown Council of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce’s Downtowner of the Year, and accolades from the South Florida Business Journal, Leadership Broward Foundation and Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale.

Zeiler added, “Under Kelley Shanley’s leadership, the Broward Center for the Performing Arts has expanded and transformed into a cultural jewel, fueling our region’s arts and economic growth.”

Galleria Fort Lauderdale, one of South Florida’s premier shopping destinations, will receive History Fort Lauderdale’s Legacy Business Award. With a rich history that dates back to its inception as the Sunrise Shopping Center in 1954, Galleria Fort Lauderdale, over the years, has transformed into an enclosed mall, captivating shoppers, diners, and socializers alike. Under its present management, Galleria Fort Lauderdale has become a valuable community ally, hosting impactful historical exhibits, charitable fundraisers, educational initiatives, and special events. The mall has contributed over $1.5 million to organizations such as History Fort Lauderdale, Art and Culture Center/Hollywood, Children’s Diagnostic and Treatment Center, Kids in Distress, Leadership Broward Foundation, ArtServe, HANDY, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida and Henderson Behavioral Health, among other community causes.

“The landmark Galleria Fort Lauderdale, represented by Melissa Milroy and Mark Trouba, continues to be a valuable ally, uniting the community and supporting charitable causes. Together, we are building a vibrant cultural landscape and preserving our rich history,” shared Zeiler.

Previous honorees of the History Makers fundraiser have included notable individuals and organizations such as Ted Drum and the Drum, Clark and Cox families, Denison Yachting, the Marine Industries Association of South Florida, the Forman family, “Alligator Ron” Bergeron, City Commissioner Steven Glassman, developer Dev Motwani, H. Wayne Huizenga, Chris Evert and Jimmy Evert, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Winterfest, and Susan and Buddy Lochrie.

History Fort Lauderdale’s 27th annual History Makers fundraiser is generously sponsored by GCC – General Caulking and Coatings Company, Inc., Adache Group Architects, JM Family Enterprises, Marine Industries Association of South Florida, Rick Case Automotive Group, and Hudson Family Foundation, with support from Broward Health, DKW Industries, Inc., Florida Theatrical Association, Nova Southeastern University, Safe Harbor Marinas, C.L. Burks Construction, Hooper Construction, Moss Foundation, GrayRobinson, Galleria Fort Lauderdale, Kimley Horn, M. Austin & Christine Forman, Charles & Laura Palmer, Funky Buddha Brewery, Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants, GPR | Goodman Public Relations, OutClique and WPLG Local 10.  Funding is also provided, in part, by Broward County Board of County Commissioners as recommended by the Broward County Cultural Council, and Visit Lauderdale. This organization is also sponsored, in part, by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts & Culture.

Tickets for History Fort Lauderdale’s 27th anniversary History Makers fundraiser are $125 each and are available to purchase online at bit.ly/HFLHistoryMakers2023.

For more information about History Fort Lauderdale, please call (954) 463-4431 or visit historyfortlauderdale.org. Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/ftlhistory on Instagram @ftlhistory and on Twitter at @FTLHistory.

History Fort Lauderdale

History Fort Lauderdale, celebrating 61 years of being the proud steward of our community’s past by making our heritage accessible and engaging to residents and visitors, brings the stories of our diverse community to life through engaging educational experiences, innovative cultural exhibits, research and preservation of artifacts. Guests to Fort Lauderdale are invited to explore the city’s rich past that is housed in historic buildings on a lushly landscaped campus – the History Museum of Fort Lauderdale situated in the 1905 New River Inn, the 1907 Pioneer House Museum, the 1899 Ivy Cromartie Schoolhouse Museum and the Hoch Research Library, South Florida’s foremost history center housing print resources and newspapers from 1910 – present plus 400,000 archival photos, 2,500 maps and 5,000 architectural blueprints. History Fort Lauderdale is located at 231 SW Second Avenue in Fort Lauderdale. Tickets are available online at http://bit.ly/HistoryFortLauderdaleTickets. History Fort Lauderdale is a nonprofit agency supported by memberships, grants and charitable contributions.