Forty-one years ago, linguistic specialist César Rennert launched a language school with one teacher and one classroom, teaching one language, with one Marketing Director and one Administrator – all roles he took on himself.
Today, that small New York start-up has grown up. It’s a busy international business with dozens of employees, schools in New York, Miami Beach and Istanbul, and a reputation for quality all over the globe. Last year, Rennert’s language schools drew students from 69 countries.
Rennert’s centers are a hub of international communication, offering English and foreign language training for individuals and companies along with translation services in all major languages. Its partner agents in the language travel industry have nominated it for the prestigious Star Award in the North American Language School category for four straight years.
The company’s achievements become even more remarkable when you factor in the ripple effect that Rennert generates on small businesses in surrounding communities. Rennert’s English school students – who are generally well-heeled, in prime spending demographics, and enamored with their host cities — create income for restaurants, nightclubs, retail stores, tourist attractions, partner schools, banks, rental apartments, sports teams, entertainment venues and homestay families.
“We are proud of the financial benefit we bring to our neighboring businesses,” observes Eimear Harrison, Executive Vice President of the privately-owned company.
“Rennert students stay with local host families and in residences and apartments and enjoy a wide array of activities and shopping that our destinations have to offer, injecting thousands into the local economies.” Rennert invests a substantial amount of money into the marketing and selling of its schools and American destinations.
“Our staff travels many times a year to the top tradeshows across the world in the international student travel market,” Harrison says. “We promote the destinations of New York and Miami Beach intensely. It’s a reflection of the commitment we feel for our destination cities.”
This month, Rennert will expand again, introducing language courses and translation services in its South Beach school offices located at 560 Lincoln Road. The school will offer group classes in Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese and French, and private lessons on-site or in the offices of clients.
The company has been in the translations business since 1976, and offers document translation, interpretation, voice over and subtitling services. “As language and intercultural experts, we are looking to join and support the global business initiatives that are launched in Miami and South Florida,” Harrison notes.
Rennert also offers an internship program that matches companies with international students who volunteer for four to 16 weeks in a working environment. It is currently looking for business, non-profit, arts and entertainment companies and organizations that will host and mentor international volunteers.
Two industry veterans have joined the Miami office in the past year to guide the expansion of Rennert’s business in South Florida. Andrés González returned to his native city as School Director and Chantal Kahale has joined the company as Associate Director of Business Development Kahale now serves as an Ambassador for the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce and will be at the Chamber’s InCard event on Sept. 3rd at the Miami Beach Convention Center, with a booth offering food games and prizes.
Rennert’s momentum continues, and González, Kahale and their staff plan to make Rennert a force in Miami Beach for some time to come.
