History Fort Lauderdale’s 29th Annual History Makers Fundraiser Honoring The Florida Panthers
Thursday, 01/08/2026-, 05:30 pm-07:30 pm
War Memorial Auditorium
800 NE 8th St.,
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 33304
Website
Cost: $125 – $250 per person
History Fort Lauderdale’s 29th annual History Makers fundraiser presented by Alligator Ron & Ali Bergeron, Miles & Tara Forman and Murphy Family Charitable Trust will honor the Florida Panthers, on Thursday, January 8, from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., at the newly revitalized War Memorial Auditorium. An exclusive VIP behind-the-scenes tour of the venue, a celebrity host and appearances from Florida Panthers alumni players will add to the memorable evening which recognizes individuals and companies who have made significant contributions to the growth of the City of Fort Lauderdale.
All guests to the event honoring South Florida’s back-to-back 2024 & 2025 Stanley Cup Champions will enjoy wine and spirits with culinary delights plus an opportunity to view Florida Panthers memorabilia and other collectibles from the exclusive Wayne Huizenga collection, which was donated to History Fort Lauderdale. WSVN 7 Sportscaster Donovan Campbell has been tapped as a guest host for the milestone celebration. The event will also be attended by former Florida Panthers team members Serge Payer and Peter J. Worrell who will meet guests and offer photo and autograph opportunities.
Thirty VIP ticketholders will have rare opportunity to join Keith Fine, vice president, programming and development for the Florida Panthers, for a personal behind-the-scenes tour of the historic War Memorial Auditorium and the cutting-edge Baptist Health IcePlex. This immersive experience offers a new lens into sports, infrastructure, and community impact. Fine will share insider stories of the venue’s transformation and its role in anchoring the Panthers’ community presence. Attendees will walk the same halls that have hosted legends and learn how this venue continues to shape the future of Florida sports. Guests will descend into the hidden world beneath the Baptist Health IcePlex — a marvel of sports engineering to witness the underground operations that keep two full-sized indoor ice rinks running flawlessly in the South Florida heat. The tour concludes with a glimpse into the sanctum of the Stanley Cup-winning Florida Panthers — their official locker room.
Since taking to the South Florida ice in 1993, the Florida Panthers have established an unmatched legacy of award-winning sportsmanship, economic development, corporate philanthropy and civic responsibility.
History Fort Lauderdale’s 29th annual History Makers is presented by Alligator Ron & Ali Bergeron, Miles & Tara Forman and Murphy Family Charitable Trust and is sponsored by Hudson Family Foundation, FPL, The Kelley Law Firm, Miller Construction Company, Waste Management, Denison Yachting, Hooper Construction, Inc., Wards Marine Electric, Pier Sixty-Six, Cathy & James Donnelly Charitable Fund, GPR | Goodman Public Relations, 41 North and SunSentinel Media Group.
Only 30 VIP tickets with the exclusive behind-the-scenes tours will be offered for $250. General tickets are $125 each and are available for purchase online at historyfortlauderdale.org. For sponsorships or more information about History Fort Lauderdale, please call (954) 463-4431 or visit historyfortlauderdale.org.
