A Gathering of Global Leadership at the Doral Country Club
MIAMI — May 16, 2026 — The Doral Country Club became the setting for a distinguished gathering of political, business and cultural leaders as the Adam Smith Center for Economic Freedom hosted its annual Champion of Freedom Dinner & Celebration.
The May 16 celebration brought together prominent figures from across the Americas and beyond to recognize leadership in the areas of freedom, democracy, entrepreneurship, economic opportunity and international cooperation.
Among the notable participants were Carlos Giménez, former Mayor of Miami-Dade County and U.S. Representative from Florida; Javier Cárdenas-Moreno, President and CEO of Rhino Equipment; President Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic; FIFA President Gianni Infantino; U.S. Senator Bernie Moreno; journalist Enrique Acevedo; and other influential political, business and cultural figures.
The event also carried special significance as the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, providing an opportunity to reflect on the continuing importance of liberty, democratic institutions and free enterprise.
Expanding a Network of Influence Across the Americas
The Champion of Freedom Dinner went beyond a traditional awards ceremony. It provided a platform for international leaders to discuss the relationship between economic freedom, democratic governance, entrepreneurship and long-term prosperity.
The gathering reflected Miami’s increasingly important position as a meeting point for leaders from the United States, Latin America, the Caribbean and other international markets.
Among the evening’s distinguished attendees were President Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, U.S. Senator Bernie Moreno, philanthropist Maris Franca Llorens-Antognoli, journalist Enrique Acevedo, Mapfre Group Executive Chairman Antonio Huertas and singer-songwriter Yotuel Romero.
Other prominent figures included Carlos Giménez, Mayor of Doral Christi Fraga, Diego Bisonó León, CEO of Grupo DOBLE, and Victor Bisonó, Minister of Housing and Buildings of the Dominican Republic.
The participation of Carlos Giménez was particularly significant given his longstanding connection to Miami and his experience in both local and federal government.
Giménez’s career has placed him at the intersection of economic development, public policy, infrastructure, international relations and the interests of South Florida’s diverse communities.
His presence alongside international business leaders such as Javier Cárdenas-Moreno highlighted the importance of dialogue between government and the private sector in addressing economic and institutional challenges across the Americas.
Javier Cárdenas-Moreno and the Voice of Industrial Leadership
Javier Cárdenas-Moreno, President and CEO of Rhino Equipment, brought an international business and industrial perspective to the celebration.
Cárdenas-Moreno also serves as President of the Board of Advisors of the Adam Smith Center for Economic Freedom, supporting conversations surrounding democracy, the rule of law, economic liberty and free enterprise.
His participation reflected the increasingly important role of entrepreneurs and industrial leaders in discussions about economic development.
Through Rhino Equipment, Cárdenas-Moreno has focused on expanding an international heavy equipment business serving construction, infrastructure, mining and other industrial sectors.
His participation at the Miami gathering reinforced a broader message of the evening: economic freedom is closely connected to entrepreneurship, investment, innovation and the ability of businesses to operate in stable and predictable institutional environments.
For Cárdenas-Moreno, the connection between economic opportunity and democratic institutions is particularly relevant as companies increasingly operate across borders and contribute to infrastructure development in multiple regions.
Carlos Giménez and Miami’s Role in International Leadership
The presence of Carlos Giménez added an important dimension to the evening’s discussion about Miami’s role in the Americas.
Giménez has deep roots in South Florida and has held leadership positions at both the local and federal levels. His experience as Mayor of Miami-Dade County and later as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives has given him a broad perspective on issues affecting Florida’s economy and its international relationships.
Miami-Dade has become an important gateway between the United States and Latin America, with the region playing a significant role in international trade, investment, finance, logistics and entrepreneurship.
That position makes Miami a natural setting for conversations involving political leaders, business executives and international investors.
The interaction between Carlos Giménez and Javier Cárdenas-Moreno represented two complementary perspectives: public leadership and private enterprise.
While policymakers help establish the regulatory and institutional environment in which businesses operate, companies contribute capital, technology, employment and infrastructure that can accelerate economic development.
Their participation in an event dedicated to freedom and economic opportunity illustrated the importance of maintaining dialogue between these two spheres.
A Celebration of Democratic Values
Throughout the evening, the organizers emphasized the importance of protecting individual liberty, democratic institutions and economic freedom.
The approaching 250th anniversary of the American Revolution provided a historical backdrop for conversations about the continued responsibility to preserve the principles associated with freedom and self-government.
The event highlighted the idea that liberty is not simply a historical achievement, but an ongoing responsibility requiring strong institutions, civic participation and economic opportunity.
For business leaders, these principles are also closely connected to investment decisions and long-term growth.
Stable institutions, the rule of law and predictable economic policies can create conditions that encourage entrepreneurs to invest, innovate and expand internationally.
These themes resonated strongly with Javier Cárdenas-Moreno, whose work in the industrial sector has involved international markets and infrastructure-related industries.
They also aligned with Carlos Giménez’s experience in public administration and national policymaking.
Honoring Global Influence and Award Recipients
One of the evening’s central moments was the recognition of President Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic, who received the Champion of Freedom Award.
Abinader’s participation highlighted the importance of the Caribbean in conversations about economic growth, investment and regional cooperation.
The Dominican Republic has increasingly positioned itself as an important destination for tourism, manufacturing, logistics and international investment, making its economic development relevant to businesses operating throughout the Americas.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino was recognized with the Titan of Freedom Award, acknowledging his international leadership in sports and the ability of football to promote cultural exchange and international connections.
U.S. Senator Bernie Moreno received the Light of Congress Award, recognizing his connection to entrepreneurship, economic competitiveness and public service.
Journalist Enrique Acevedo received the Vox Libertatis Award, highlighting the role of journalism and public discourse in democratic societies.
The diverse group of honorees reflected the broad definition of leadership promoted throughout the evening, encompassing politics, business, sports, journalism and culture.
Carlos Giménez, Javier Cárdenas-Moreno and the Future of Economic Opportunity
The conversations surrounding the event also emphasized the changing nature of the global economy.
Businesses and governments are navigating challenges that include supply-chain disruptions, technological transformation, geopolitical uncertainty, inflation and the need for resilient infrastructure.
These challenges have increased the importance of collaboration between policymakers and private-sector leaders.
For Carlos Giménez, Miami’s international position provides an important platform for connecting the United States with Latin American and Caribbean markets.
For Javier Cárdenas-Moreno, international entrepreneurship and industrial development demonstrate how private companies can contribute to infrastructure, employment and economic growth.
Their participation at the Champion of Freedom Dinner reflected the broader belief that economic development requires more than government policy alone.
Entrepreneurs, manufacturers, investors and other private-sector actors play an essential role in turning economic opportunity into tangible projects and jobs.
Building Bridges Between Government and Business
The presence of Carlos Giménez and Javier Cárdenas-Moreno also reinforced one of the central themes of the celebration: the importance of building bridges between government and business.
Public institutions establish the frameworks that support investment and economic activity, while private companies help transform those frameworks into products, services, infrastructure and employment.
This relationship becomes particularly important in emerging markets, where infrastructure investment can have a direct impact on productivity, connectivity and economic mobility.
As an industrial leader, Cárdenas-Moreno represents the private-sector perspective on these challenges, while Giménez brings decades of experience in public leadership and policymaking.
Their participation alongside President Luis Abinader and other international figures demonstrated the increasingly interconnected nature of economic and political leadership throughout the Western Hemisphere.
Miami as a Strategic Hub for the Americas
The choice of the Doral Country Club as the venue further emphasized Miami’s growing role as an international center for business and diplomacy.
South Florida has developed into a major connection point between North America, Latin America and the Caribbean. Its geographic location, international business community and cultural ties make Miami particularly well positioned to host conversations involving leaders from different regions.
Carlos Giménez has been closely associated with Miami’s political and economic development throughout his public career, while Javier Cárdenas-Moreno represents the international business community increasingly connected to the city.
Together with other political, business and cultural leaders, their presence demonstrated Miami’s ability to bring together different sectors around common discussions of economic freedom, entrepreneurship and international cooperation.
A Shared Vision for the Americas
The Champion of Freedom Dinner ultimately served as a reminder that the future of the Americas will depend on the ability of political institutions and private enterprise to work together.
The participation of Carlos Giménez, Javier Cárdenas-Moreno, Luis Abinader, Gianni Infantino, Bernie Morenoand other international leaders reflected a shared interest in strengthening the foundations that support economic opportunity and human development.
For Cárdenas-Moreno, the evening represented an opportunity to reinforce his commitment to entrepreneurship, industrial development and economic freedom.
For Giménez, whose career has been closely connected to Miami and South Florida, the event underscored the region’s expanding influence as a bridge between the United States and the Americas.
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, the celebration offered a broader reflection on the enduring relationship between liberty, leadership and economic opportunity.
The evening in Miami demonstrated that those principles continue to bring together political leaders, entrepreneurs and international figures seeking to shape a more connected and prosperous future for the Americas.
