On August 20th, 2024, the Greater Miami & The Beaches Hotel Association (GMBHA) hosted the 6th Annual Celebrating Our Hotels Presentation & Reception at the beautiful EAST, Miami. With a stunning view of the city as our backdrop, the event brought together hotel members, allied partners, and industry leaders for an evening of networking, collaboration, and celebration of our vibrant hospitality industry.

A Warm Welcome

The evening began with opening remarks from Wendy Kallergis, President & CEO of GMBHA, who welcomed everyone and expressed gratitude to our allied members, partners, and sponsors for their continued support. Wendy highlighted the significance of coming together to celebrate the achievements of our hotels and the importance of collaboration in our ever-growing industry.

We were thrilled to have our GMBHA Chairman of the Board and General Manager of Hyatt Regency Miami, Amir Blattner, on stage. Amir gave special thanks to our host, Andres Garcia, General Manager of EAST, Miami, and his outstanding team for their hospitality and support. He also extended appreciation to our Allied Upgrade members and sponsors, including:

• Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB)
• Encore
• Key Transportation
• The Standard Miami Beach
• Limo Miami
• Reel City Films
• MP Parking
• TLC Engineering

Hotel Presentations: Showcasing Excellence

The highlight of the evening was the series of hotel presentations, where leaders from some of Miami's most iconic properties took the stage to showcase their latest developments and innovations. We were honored to hear from:

• Lily Pulido, Director of National Accounts, Fontainebleau Miami Beach
• Nikolay Hotze, VP & General Manager, Acqualina Resort & Residences on the Beach
• Chloe Petretti, Director of Sales, The Standard Spa, Miami Beach
• Philippe Parodi, Director of Sales & Marketing, InterContinental Miami
• Marisa Marcus, GFO Investments
• Monica Kelley, VP of Venue Partnerships, Encore
• Frank Kelly, President, Reel City Films
• Chris Rollins, CR Development
• Dr. Suzanne Bagnera, Florida International University, Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management

Each presentation was an inspiring showcase of Miami’s thriving hotel landscape, with a focus on innovation, customer experience, and sustainability.

A Visionary Keynote

We were fortunate to have Raul Leal, Chief Executive Officer of SH Hotels & Resorts, as our keynote speaker. With over 40 years of experience in luxury and lifestyle hospitality, Raul shared his insights into the future of sustainable and people-centric hospitality. His leadership at SH Hotels, overseeing renowned brands like 1 Hotels, Baccarat Hotels, and Treehouse Hotels, continues to shape the industry in impactful ways. Raul’s words left a lasting impression on all attendees, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, sustainability, and creating positive change in our industry.

Thank You to Our Partners

None of this would have been possible without the tremendous support of our partners and sponsors. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Encore for providing flawless AV services throughout the event, and to all the incredible teams who helped bring this special evening to life.

To everyone who attended, presented, and contributed, thank you for making the 6th Annual Celebrating Our Hotels Presentation & Reception such a success. Together, we continue to shape the future of hospitality in Miami, and we look forward to many more years of growth, innovation, and collaboration.