The Miami Beach Chamber of C o m m e r c e (Chamber) will host its annual Champions of Business Awards Luncheon sponsored by Bank United on January 23rd, 2015 at 11:00 am at the Eden Roc Hotel (located on 4525 Collins Ave, Miami Beach) to commemorate pillars of the business community. At the event, Jason Loeb, owner and CEO of Sudsies Dry Cleaners & Laundry, will receive the Innovation in Business Award; Alfredo J. Gonzalez, J.D. from Greenberg Traurig, P.A. and Vice Chair of the Chamber Board of Governors, will receive the James McDonnell Outstanding Board of Governor Award; Luis and Jessica Fuentes, owners and general managers of Café Avanti will be awarded the Small Business of the Year Award; and Ceci Velasco will be recognized for her years of service to the Chamber.
“Each of the honorees are true pillars of the community and I’m proud to consider them good friends,” said Chamber Chairman and SVP of Gibraltar Private Bank & Trust Michael S. Goldberg. “Jason is a visionary and has provided me with guidance and support as Chairman; Alfredo is a leader within the legal community and someone I rely on as one of my Vice Chair’s; Luis and Jessica from Café Avanti provide exceptional service and I’m proud to say I’ve been a client of theirs since they opened; and Ceci has played a key role in the success of the Chamber and I look forward to honoring her for her many years of service.”
Loeb, an Immediate Past Chair of the Chamber, has successfully revolutionized the dry cleaning business in South Florida by instilling a strong customer service ethic for home pickup and delivery in his workforce. The Innovation in Business Award is given to a business owner that has been effective in providing change within an industry by developing new ideas, business strategies and using technology to advance a brand while giving back to the community.
Gonzalez, is receiving the James McDonnell Outstanding Board of Governor Award for his years of dedication to the advancement and growth of the Chamber. Gonzalez has shown outstanding growth within local governmental law by focusing on securing governmental approvals from large scale residential and commercial projects to single family development.
Luis and Jessica Fuentes are receiving the Small Business of the Year Award for their outstanding achievements in management. They have brought their core family values to the restaurant by bringing excellent hospitality to the community. Jessica has served on the Chamber’s Emerging Leadership Council and now serves on the Chamber’s Pillar Board.
Velasco will be honored for her years of service to the Chamber. Velasco has served the Chamber for over four years as Executive Vice President and COO. Velasco has brought priceless development to the Chamber and to the community through her representation on an International Forum Panel and served as a panelist for the Hispana Leadership Summit.
Tickets are available starting at $60 for pillar members, $65 for members, and $70 for guests. For more information, visit www.miamibeachchamber.com.
