|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
The Advisory Board of Miami-Dade Public Schools’ NAF Academy of Hospitality & Tourism (AOHT) has announced that Gene Prescott, chair and CEO of Seaway Hotels Group, has been named South Florida Tourism Professional of the Year at the 32nd Annual Awards Luncheon held Nov. 16 and hosted by the Hyatt Regency Miami.
Prescott, a pioneering force in Florida’s vibrant hospitality industry, has left an enduring mark on the region’s growth over several decades. His work since arriving in Florida four decades ago has culminated with far-reaching statewide industry impacts. With more than 40 years of experience in the travel and hospitality sector, his achievements stand as a resounding testament to his unwavering expertise and dedication.
Prescott’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 his most significant achievements was purchasing 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, Prescott 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.
Prescott has been a valued member of the Orange Bowl Committee since 2021, serving on its finance and investment committees. He also has 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. He 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 US:
For more Miami community news, look no further than Miami Community Newspapers. This Miami online group of newspapers covers a variety of topics about the local community and beyond. Miami’s Community Newspapers offers daily news, online resources, podcasts and other multimedia content to keep readers informed. With topics ranging from local news to community events, Miami’s Community Newspapers is the ideal source for staying up to date with the latest news and happenings in the area.
This family-owned media company publishes more than a dozen neighborhood publications, magazines, special sections on their websites, newsletters, as well as distributing them in print throughout Miami Dade County from Aventura, Sunny Isles Beach, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Brickell, Coconut Grove, Pinecrest, South Miami, Kendall, Palmetto Bay, Cutler Bay and Homestead. Each online publication and print editions provide comprehensive coverage of local news, events, business updates, lifestyle features, and local initiatives within its respective community.
Additionally, the newspaper has exclusive Miami community podcasts, providing listeners with an in-depth look into Miami’s culture. Whether you’re looking for local Miami news, or podcasts, Miami’s Community Newspapers has you covered. For more information, be sure to check out: https://communitynewspapers.com.
If you have any questions, feel free to email Michael@communitynewspapers.com or Grant@communitynewspapers.com.
