The Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce will host its fifth Annual Gala on Saturday, Dec. 4, at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Miami.

The chamber said in a statement that more than 700 business people, politicians and civic leaders will attend the event whose theme is “Make Business Magic.”

“It’s the event of the season and we have more in store this year than ever before,” said Alvin West, board member of the chamber and chairman of the gala.  “Everyone should get excited because this will be one magical evening of fun and wonder they will not want to miss!”

As part of the gala, the chamber will again recognize leadership among  South Floridians. This year’s honorees are retired Congresswoman Carrie Meek, who will receive the H.T. Smith Lifetime Achievement Award; community leader Albert Dotson Sr., the Distinguished Service Award; and The Children’s Trust founding chairman and former Miami Herald publisher Dave Lawrence, Citizen of the Year Award.

“The gala this year is much more than an event; it’s a season of giving and empowering our community and businesses so everyone has a bigger and better 2011,” said Bill Diggs, the chamber’s president and CEO.  “From the auction and toy drive to our Business Empowerment Seminars and monthly networking mixers, we want to add real value for our members.”

The chamber was founded in 1974 and is now the largest minority chamber in South Florida.

For more information, call the chamber at 305-751-8648 or e-mail mdcc@m-dec.org.