Many have always wondered how certain business leaders have achieved a high level of success and what their “secret sauce” is. On Friday, August 22, the Emerging Leadership Council of the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce will host a panel of successful local business leaders, from an array of industries, who will educate the audience on successful business development. The 8th annual “Champions of Business” Panel, sponsored by City National Bank, will host distinguished individuals that have made recent leaps of progress in their respective businesses &/or careers each have a unique approach. This traditionally sold-out event, held at the beautiful St. Regis – Bal Harbour, will host over 200 business professionals to witness and interact in a discussion between local success stories.
Panelists include former NBAplayer and entrepreneur Jamal Mashburn; Media Personality, Chef and Attorney Ana Quincoces, President of Primecard Ric Roth and the renowned Dj Irie. The moderator will be Senior Vice President and Director of Marketing, Communications and Community Relations at City National Bank Eddie Dominguez.
Leading up to the panel the Miami Beach Community Newspaper will be highlighting each panelist and in this final series we are showcasing DJ Irie.
Irie was born in St. Croix, Virgin Islands and raised in Miami. Ironically it was his time spent on another Caribbean Island that set in motion what would become his career. While attending a private boarding school in Jamaica, the ever technically inclined Irie rigged up some speakers, borrowed his roommate’s — future multi-platinum reggae artist Sean Paul’s — Casio, wired his own system, then commenced to spending all of his free time hunting for records to play on his contraption. “I remember how happy I was to get that newest, hot record,” Irie says, about his beginnings. “I wasn’t DJing for anyone at the time, but I just had to have the records as soon as they came out.” That love grew from a hobby when Irie moved back home to Miami. A few years later, he began spinning at local parties.
Years of hard work and determination later propelled Irie past the level of hotshot DJ to his position as an immovable staple of Miami’s world-renowned party and nightlife scene. He excelled in everything from hosting a number one radio mix show on WEDR 99 JAMZ to being discovered by Miami HEAT executives who courted him not once, but twice, to serve as the official team DJ providing a unique layer of entertainment to fans and season ticket holders. His natural ability to read and engage a crowd garnered him top bookings from near and far, national media attention and recognition from internationally known lifestyle and luxury brands.Irie has served as a face and ambassador for brands including Target, Cadillac,
Heineken, the Premier Beverage portfolio, Beats by Dre, Superdry, Carnival Cruise Lines, Hublot, Anheuser Busch and Pepsi. He can also be found on the turntable at national and international events on behalf of these brands such as NBAAll Star Weekend, Super Bowl, NBA Exhibition pre-season games, Cross Fit Games, the Grammy’s and most recently FIFA World Cup 2014. In 2013, Irie was honored among his peers when he received the National Club DJ and DJ Entrepreneur of the Year Global Spin Awards in New York City
Irie also set up the Irie Foundation, which works all year round to improve and create a positive impact on the lives of South Florida’s at-risk youth. Through a number of proactive initiatives, they are committed to helping kids get on the right track and strive for successful futures. The Foundation, which is supported by remarkable sponsors and partners, also hosts numerous fundraising events, including the annual Irie Weekend, one of South Florida’s most highly anticipated events of the year. All proceeds go toward foundation programming, as well as to benefit a number of other local and national nonprofit organizations.
Past panelists include Shareef Malnik of The Forge, Joshua Wallack of Mango’s Tropical Café, Lisa Pliner of Donald J Pliner, Alex Havenick of Magic City Casino, and Dr. Arthur Agatson of the South Beach Diet. Additional sponsors of the event is the Criminal Law Office of Michael Grieco and 84 West Studios. The event will begin at 11:30 a.m. with the Panel Discussion beginning promptly at 12:00 p.m. The program concludes an open Question + Answer session from the audience, with the event ending at 1:30 pm. As St. Regis is the originator of the Bloody Mary, there will be post-program networking with a Bloody Mary Bar in the foyer for those who can stay.
For more information or to RSVP, please contact the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce at 305-674-1300.
