2026 Sand In My Shoes, honoring Cesar Alvarez
Register NowMiami's most prestigious community leadership honor, celebrating 45 years of extraordinary individuals who shaped this city.
October 15, 2026
5:30 PM - 9:00 PM
1111 Parrot Jungle TrailMiami, 33132
About the Award:
Established in 1981, the Sand in My Shoes® Award recognizes individuals who have made lasting contributions to Greater Miami — a commitment to making our community the best possible place to live, work, and play. This annual celebratory dinner brings together Miami's civic, business, and community leaders for an evening that is less about networking and more about gratitude.
2026 Sand in My Shoes® Honoree
Cesar L. Alvarez
Senior Chairman of global law firm Greenberg Traurig P.A.
From arriving in Miami as a Cuban immigrant teenager to becoming one of the most influential legal minds in the country, Cesar Alvarez's story is inseparable from Miami's own rise. Under his leadership as CEO, Greenberg Traurig transformed from a regional firm into a global powerhouse, and through it all, he never stopped giving back to the community that gave him everything.
Amigos de Cesar
Founded in Miami, Greenberg Traurig is a global law firm with approximately 3,100 attorneys and governmental affairs professionals across more than 51 locations worldwide. The firm provides integrated legal services across industries and borders, supported by a collaborative, client-focused culture. Through philanthropic giving and pro bono work, Greenberg Traurig remains actively involved in organizations and initiatives that support the communities where its attorneys live and work
Presenting Sponsors
American Airlines is a premium global airline connecting more of the U.S. to the world. With roots tracing back to an air mail carrier in the Midwestern United States in 1926, American now operates more than 6,000 daily flights to more than 350 destinations in more than 60 countries and serves more than 200 million customers annually.
Miami Dade College serves 125,000 students across eight campuses in our community. Since opening our doors in 1960, we’ve educated generations who have helped build Miami into the vibrant, global city it is today. Learn more: mdc.edu.
Diamond Sponsors
Baptist Health, the region’s largest healthcare system, includes 12 hospitals, 29,000+ employees, 4,500 physicians, and 200 outpatient and urgent care centers across Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward, and Palm Beach counties.
CareerSource South Florida provides comprehensive workforce solutions by helping businesses attract, train, and retain qualified talent, while connecting job seekers to meaningful employment opportunities. We serve as a vital link between employers and the workforce, delivering innovative employment and training services across the South Florida region
Florida Power & Light Company is committed to delivering reliable electricity from a diverse energy mix all while keeping bills as low as possible. FPL is committed to powering strong communities. www.FPL.com/community
HEICO Corporation is a rapidly growing, technology-driven company serving the global aerospace, defense, industrial, and electronics markets with highly engineered, mission critical products for commercial and military applications.
John S. & James L. Knight Foundation
For 75 years, Knight Foundation has supported the people, organizations and insights that lead to healthier communities. The foundation invests in local journalism, arts and culture and community development in the 26 cities and towns where the Knight brothers once published newspapers.
Honorary Host Committee
Achieve Miami
Amerant Bank
American Airlines
Baptist Health
Barry University
Trish and Dan Bell
Bilzin Sumberg
Boies Schiller Flexner LLP
CareerSource South Florida
City National Bank
Fairholme Foundation
Florida Power & Light
Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau
Greenberg Traurig, P.A.
HEICO Corporation
John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
JP Morgan Chase
Miami-Dade Aviation
Miami Dade College
Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Miami Herald & el Nuevo Herald
Murgado Automotive Group, Inc.
TD Bank
Teco Peoples Gas System, Inc.
Terra Group
St. Thomas University
The Children’s Movement of Florida
Watsco
Wells Fargo
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors