2025 South Florida Tourism Professional of the Year

Host Sponsor

Platinum Event Sponsors

The 34 Annual South Florida Tourism Professional of the Year Starlight Gala

Welcome & Greetings

Prosecco Toast

Sponsored by Valdo

Greetings from Mayor Daniella Levine Cava

Special Performance from Nicole Henry

Sponsored by the GMCVB Dinner

Sponsored by the Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay

Special Performance from Hialeah Gardens

Senior High

Matching Funds Campaign

Sponsored by Show Technology Inc

Special Performance by Arts Ballet Theater of Florida

Special Performance from Nicole Henry

Sponsored by the GMCVB

Presentation of Nominees and Award

Raffle Dancing

Special Tribute Performance

Sponsored by

VIP Platinum Table Sponsors

Amerant Bank

Carnival Cruise Line

Encore

Florida International University

Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association

Miami Dade Chapter

Greater Miami and the Beaches Hotel Association

Miami Beach Visitor & Convention

Authority

Marriott Connection Hotels

Marriott Select Brands

MDM Hotel Group

Miami Beach Convention Center

Diamond Sponsors

Carnival Cruise Line

Suviche

Grove Bay Hospitality

Florida Education Institute

Sunny Isles Marketing Council

Emerald Sponsors

Arts Ballet Theatre

Bacardi

Boston Beer Co.

Chef Christian Culture Kitchen

Contempo Linen & Event Rentals

Miami Downtown Development Authority

Quore

Santorini Greek Restaurant by Georgios

Toral Wines & Spirits

Valdo

Special Performances

2024 Julissa Kepner

2023 Gene Prescott

2022 Steve Adkins

2021 Dr. Peter Ricci

2019 Dr. Paul George

2018 Alyce Robertson*

2017 George Neary

2016 Wendy Kallergis

2015 Henry Delgado

2014 Kimberly Wilson

2013 Rocco Angelo

2012 Shawn Hauver

2011 Tony Goldman*

2010 Joan Remington

2009 Alvin L. West

2008 Lee Dickson*

2007 Arthur Hertz*

2006 Bob Dickenson

2005 Michael Aller*

2004 Farooq Rehmatwala

2003 Juan Romero

2002 William D. Talbert, III

2001 Cheryl Carter*

2000 Alexandra Villoch

1999 Gary D. Dellapa

1998 Maria A. Sastre

1997 Horace Hord

1996 Merret R. Stierheim*

1995 Stuart Blumberg

1994 Roger M. Carlton

1993 Jeanne Westphal*

1992 Sherwood Weiser*

1991 Sherman Winn* *Deceased

Academy of Hospitality & Tourism Advisory Board

EXECUTIVE

OFFICERS

CHAIR JoelGonzalez, TPG Hotels& Resorts

VICE-CHAIR MildredRiscigno, JW Marriott Miami

SECRETARY NasharaFrazier, Expedia

TREASURER AkaAli-Kerr, AndazMiamiBeach

IMMEDIATE WendyKallergis, Retired

PAST CHAIR

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

FUNDRAISING SoniaFong

CORPORATE RELATIONS JosiePodestaSoto

GOVERNANCE & MEMBERSHIP GregBohan

STUDENT/STAFF DEVELOPMENT CrystalHarveyandLeonieTimothee

ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS

AHAHospitality,AndazMiamiBeach,BigBusMiamiOperations,CrystalClear Hospitality,DanceNow!Miami,Enterprise,Expedia,FAME,FloridaAtlantic University,FloridaInternationalUniversity,FloridaRestaurant&Lodging Association,GreaterMiamiConvention&VisitorsBureau,GreaterMiami&the BeachesHotelAssociation,TheHeafeyGroup,HyattRegencyMiami, InterContientalHotelMiami,JuicingwithArt,MarriottAirportConnection,Miami BeachConventionCenter,MiamiBeachVisitor&ConventionAuthority,Miami DadeCollege/MiamiCulinaryInstitute,MiamiMarriottBiscayneBay,MDM HotelGroup,MiamiDadeAviationDepartment,MKT2000Plus,Show Technology,TPGHotels&Resorts,WashingtonAvenueBusiness ImprovementDistrict

EX OFFICIO MEMBERS

LupeFerranDiaz, Ph.D, AnnFields, JulieKennedy, MargaritaMena

Special Thanks

Hialeah Gardens Senior High

John A. Ferguson Senior High

Encore

J.G.T. Seasonings

Miami Dade College

GMCVB

Nicole Henry

Jon Sax

Sergios Printing

Groupe GM - Exclusive Amentities ae airessentials

Arts Ballet Theatre

Limo Miami

Miami Downtown Development Authority

Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association Miami Dade Chapter

Suvice

Grove Bay Hospitality

Santorini by Georgios

Qoure Gelato

Valdo Prosseco

Toral Wines

Chef Allen Susser

Florida Education Institute

Sodexo

Chef Christian Culture Kitchen

Saks Fith Avenue

305 Transportation

Zeek Mathias

Connie Kinard

Special Thanks

This event would not be possible without the hard work of our volunteers from the Academy of Hospitality & Tourism Advisory Board Event Committee

Event Chairs

Josie Podesta Soto Mildred Riscigno

AOHT Fundraising Chair

Sonia Fong Committee Members

Doris

Leonie Timothee

Julie Kennedy

The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association Miami Dade Chapter Congratulates all of the Nominees for the 34 South FloridaTourism Professional of theYear! th

FRLA is a proud supporter of the Academy of Hospitality & Tourism and Miami-Dade County Public Schools!

Auction

The Silent Auction Closes at 9:30 P.M.

Special Thank You to all of our Auction Donors!

Raffle

Don’t Forget to Purchase Your Raffle Tickets!

Prizes:

4 Day/ 3 Night Virgin Voyage

Valued at $1500

Dinner at Mirabella Coastal Italian Restaurant at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach

Valued at $250 Tickets 1 for $25 3 for $50 5 for $100 Drawing will be after the Award Presentation