Aventura Marketing Council… an amazing 23-year journey

Guest speaker Supt. Alberto Carvalho, Miami-Dade County Public Schools (center) at Student-Run Breakfast
Guest speaker Supt. Alberto Carvalho, Miami-Dade County Public Schools (center) at Student-Run Breakfast

It was circa 1988….and a few developers were in the Northeast part of the country, marketing their highrise condos in this area to prospective buyers. “And where did you say these condos are?” asked the buyers. “They’re in Miami” said the developers. “Miami! We watch ‘Miami Vice’ and we know there’s a lot of crime down there — AND you have alligators roaming around!” It was at this point that the developers realized they needed to work together to create a niche community.

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In August, 1989, the developers created the Aventura Marketing Council (AMC), a not-for-profit business organization, to carve out the boundaries and address the needs of this community they named “Aventura.” Working in concert with the Joint Council of Aventura representing the residential community, they funded everything from the landscaping and transportation to private security, signage and marketing. In 1995, the City of Aventura incorporated, and residents and the businesses welcomed in their first Mayor, Arthur Snyder, and their first City Manager, Eric Soroka, who remains as a most-respected City Manager today. They were very happy to turn over the responsibilities of running a community!

The Aventura Marketing Council expanded its focus outward as it became known as the community’s chamber of commerce, representing the greater Aventura business community. Business networking events, seminars, meetings with topical speakers and fundraisers for a variety of charities, non-profits and schools were on the agenda…and it was a full agenda, indeed that attracted businesses from throughout Miami-Dade and Broward counties.

Membership grew rapidly, as word of this professional organization with a heart spread throughout South Florida. To date, over $1.4 million has been donated to AMC member charities, nonprofits and schools from events created and run by the AMC. Business-to-business opportunities abound, and existing members are the greatest source of referrals, as they tell their friends and business associates about the opportunities offered in nine monthly events.

Ben Launerts, president of Parksman Parking, said, “The business relationships and the friendships I have made through the Aventura Marketing Council are absolutely priceless. I have been a member for almost ten years and it is the consistency and professionalism of the organization that attracts members far beyond the reaches of just Aventura.” Shannon Beck, CEO of Fetch Branding, noted, “All of our business at Fetch Branding comes from networking and referrals, therefore we truly understand the value of a good networking opportunity. Over the past 15 years, we have been actively involved with AMC and we have found it to be one of the most successful networking groups to be involved with. Some of our largest, most accredited clients have come from the Aventura Marketing Council, and we are truly grateful.”

AMC Chairman of the Board Cliff Schulman, partner in the law firm of Weiss Serota Helfman Pastoriza Cole & Boniske, added, “It has been a great and rewarding experience to be Chairman of the Board for the past nine years. On the one hand, it has helped my business and on the other hand, I’ve been able to help our member communities, schools and non-profit groups.” City Manager Eric Soroka said, ““Over the years the Aventura Marketing Council has played an important part in promoting the City of Excellence, attracting new businesses and representing the concerns of the business community.”

Today, 23 years later, the Aventura Marketing Council stands tall as one of South Florida’s most respected business organizations, helping businesses, charities and the educational community (the AMC has won four Dade Partner of the Year awards and has been inducted into the Dade Partners Hall of Fame for four consecutive years) and strengthening the fabric of life for businesses and residents alike.

For more information, visit aventuramarketingcouncil.com or call 305.932.5334


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