The U.S. will be reopening to International visitors in November, presenting a tremendous opportunity for our destination to recapture this critical market. Your GMCVB team will be significantly expanding its efforts in the coming weeks to capitalize on this long-awaited decision and use it as an opportunity to expand our already substantial market share. Immediate next steps are a relaunch of GMCVB global resources, fully activating various trade and consumer initiatives including:

• Our Global Representation Network, which works with travel trade and helps generate international MICE leads
• International PR / Social Media firms to secure positive media coverage and drive social media conversations and engagement.
• In-Person Familiarization Tours to educate the travel trade first-hand on new destination experiences, and showcase hotels and attractions to help facilitate sales to their customers.
• Expanding Content and Website Development in multiple languages with rich storytelling that appeals to the international traveler and is delivered through appropriate channels.
• Using key learnings from our recovery programs, including MiamiShines and MiamiLand, to refine and expand our target personas and segments to include crucial international preferences.
• Maximizing key partnerships with tourism promotion organizations at state, national and global levels, such as Brand USA, Visit Florida and Visit USA Committees.
• Working with organizers to leverage and expand marketing of marquee events with strong international draws, including Art Basel, Miami International Boat Show, Formula One and others.

The Academy of Hospitality and Tourism (AOHT) honored its own during the 30th Annual South Florida Tourism Professional of the Year Awards luncheon yesterday. Nominees included GMCVB COO Rolando Aedo, Steve Adkins (Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce), DeAnne Connolly Graham (ROI Media Consultants), Julie Grimes (The Heafey Group), Charles Kropke (Dragonfly Expeditions), Troy Wright (Washington Avenue BID), and winner Peter Ricci, Ed.D. of Florida Atlantic University.

AOHT prepares students for a post-secondary education in hospitality and tourism-related majors across 16 Miami-Dade County Public School campuses. Each year, they provide work-based learning programs, mentorships, professional development and scholarships to more than 2000 students and their teachers.

This year, to honor our former president and CEO (and one of my mentors), the Greater Miami and the Beaches Hotel Association (GMBHA) established the William D. Talbert, III Scholarship, recognizing his significant contributions to our industry for more than three decades. Bill generously made an initial contribution of $10,000 to the scholarship fund, matched by an equally generous anonymous donor. To support AOHT through a contribution to the William D. Talbert, III Scholarship Fund, please reach out to our friends and partners at the GMBHA.

Congratulations to all our winners and especially to our students, who ultimately gain the most from these opportunities as they develop the talent and skills to join our visitor industry workforce and succeed.