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The Advisory Board of Miami-Dade Public Schools’ NAF Academy of Hospitality & Tourism (AOHT) is delighted to announce that Gene Prescott, Chairman & CEO of Seaway Hotels Group was named South Florida Tourism Professional of the Year at the 32nd Annual Awards Luncheon held November 16, 2023 hosted by the Hyatt Regency Miami.
Gene Prescott, a pioneering force in Florida’s vibrant hospitality industry, has left an enduring mark on the region’s growth over several decades. Gene’s work since his arrival in Florida four decades ago has culminated with far-reaching statewide industry impacts. With over four decades of experience in the travel and hospitality sector, Gene’s achievements stand as a resounding testament to his unwavering expertise and dedication.
Gene’s leadership at Seaway Hotels Group also demonstrates his tireless advocacy for Florida tourism. Under his leadership, the organization provided hotel accommodations, luxury suites, wedding and meeting halls, golf, and events packages in Florida. One of Gene’s most significant achievements was his purchase of the iconic Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables in 1992. Built in 1926, the Biltmore Hotel was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1996 and has become a social, civic, and political epicenter in Miami-Dade County.
Beyond his impressive work in the hospitality industry, Gene is an exceptional community member whose contributions have significantly improved Florida’s tourism industry. He has taken on instrumental roles within various boards at Florida’s paramount institutions and organizations, all focused on driving economic growth within the state.
Gene has been a valued member of the Orange Bowl Committee since 2021, serving on its finance and investment committees. He has also been an Advisory Board Member of the Florida International University Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management since 2003, as well as on the board of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association, where he received the prestigious Hotelier of the Year Hall of Fame award in 2013. Gene is a past chairman and has served on the board of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau since 2003 and currently serves on the Florida International University Board of Trustees.
Other distinguished nominees of this year’s South Florida Tourism Professional of the Year include Founder and President of Bibi Art Media, Bibi Andrade; General Manager of the Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay, Julissa Kepner; General Manager of the Marriott and AC Fort Lauderdale Airport, Mychal Milian; General Manager of The Betsy South Beach, Jonathan Plutzik, CEO of the Orange Bowl Committee, Eric Poms, and Executive Director of Ocean Drive Association, Ceci Velasco.
Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ AOHT is a member of the non-profit organization NAF. Academies are located in 18 Miami-Dade County Public high schools. Proceeds of the South Florida Tourism Professional of the Year luncheon benefit work-based learning activities and scholarships for AOHT students and professional development for teachers. The mission of AOHT is to prepare a diverse community of high school students for post-secondary education and careers in hospitality & tourism.
About NAF:
NAF is a national network of education, business, and community leaders who work together to ensure high school students are college, career, and future ready. NAF’s educational design is uniquely comprehensive in its approach to skill development, enabling students of all backgrounds to participate in a meaningful education and gives businesses the opportunity to shape America’s future workforce by transforming the learning environment to integrate STEM infused, career-relevant curricula and work-based learning experiences, including internships.
NAF has grown from one NAF Academy of Finance in New York City to hundreds of academies across the country focusing on growing industries including finance, hospitality & tourism, information technology, engineering, and health sciences; and support programs of study that are aligned with the National Career Clusters Framework.
During the 2022-2023 school year, over 112,000 students attended 604 NAF academies across 35 states, plus DC, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. In 2022, NAF academies reported 99% of seniors graduated with 88% of graduates planning to go to college. For more information, please visit: http://naf.org/
