The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau’s BHI is welcoming new board members to enhance scholarship opportunities, promote workforce development, and assist emerging hospitality professionals.  

The BPRW of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau’s BHI board members are working to expand scholarships, promote workforce development, and train future generosity professionals. The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau ( GMCVB ) has expanded its board of directors to include 22 Miami-Dade County leaders in the fields of education, business, civics, and non-profits ( full list below ). The BHI’s goal is to encourage financial contribution and create opportunities for students in Greater Miami’s guest industry. The tourism and hospitality industry contributes more than$ 20 billion annually to Miami-Dade County’s economy, underscoring the importance of creating a skilled workforce to fill desperately needed industry positions. The new board of directors may help make a proper roadmap to give students the best chances to triumph and benefit from Miami-Dade’s leading visitor industry, according to GMCVB President &amp CEO David Whitaker.” Our future depends on developing a lively, determined tourism and hospitality workforce. The expanded BHI board of directors may promote initiatives like expanding scholarships, launching workplace coaching programs, and collaborating with local businesses to make Greater Miami’s hospitality sector’s hospitality sector more equal opportunities. Some things are more enjoyable than inspiring people to take on new challenges and witnessing how they learn, grow, and broaden their horizons, according to Desmond Alufohai, the BHI board of directors chair. BHI will keep its quarterly H. O. T. Challenge Golf Tournament on May 9 in Aventura in order to increase scholarship funds to improve workplace career education.” This industry connects but many people in this community, and our success as an organization may be measured by how we continue to find new ways to reach those who might not be aware of the industry’s substantial career opportunities and educate them on professional development options they can pursue,” BHI said. The H. O. T. Challenge, which is held at the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort and Spa, gathers industry executives for world-class golfing and networking. The annual tournament has a 32-year track record of raising more than$ 3.5 million and providing 450 scholarships to students pursuing hospitality careers in Miami-Dade County. Visit HotChallenge .com to register your foursome or find out how you can support the BHI mission. Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau ( GMCVB): David Whitaker, President & CEO
Chief Financial Officer Joseph Yarzabal
Connie Kinnard, Senior Vice President, Development and Multicultural Tourism
U. Desmond Alufohai, Chairman of the Board, Miami-Dade County and Miami Beach ( Protocol &amp, International Affairs Division, Miami-Dade Aviation Department )
Retha Boone-Fye, vice-chair and program director, Black Affairs Advisory Board
CareerSource South Florida’s CEO, Rick Beasley
Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust Executive Director, Bill Diggs
Debra Owens, PortMiami’s Director of Government and International Affairs
Heather Shaw – Interim Director, Economic Development Department of the City of Miami Beach
Education and Workforce Development: Julie Kennedy, Facilitator of the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism’s NAF Career Academy
Miami Dade College’s career specialist, David Countin
Florida International University’s Assistant Director, Career Development, Katheryn Martin
Dr. Samer Hassen, Program Director for the St. Thomas University Culinary Arts &amp, Hospitality Management Program, is Dr. Samer Hassen.
Executive Director, Educate Tomorrow, Allison Auston
Corporate and Non-Profit Sector: Rednop MG LLC founder Ed Ponder
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami CEO and President, Gale Nelson
Nashara Frazier, Director, Expedia Group
One Community Alliance Network, LLC & Foundation CEO, Karen Hunter-Jackson
Community and Advocacy: Yvette Harris, President and CEO, Harris Public Relations, Inc.
Carole Ann Taylor– Chair Emeritus, BHI
William Anderson– Researcher, Consultant, and Evaluation
G. Eric Knowles, President and CEO, Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce
Dr. Graylyn Swilley-Woods serves as the BHI’s executive director, coordinating with the board, and acting as a staff liaison. About the BHIBHI was founded in 1991 to advance career and educational opportunities in the tourism industry in Greater Miami. BHI has supported equitable economic participation and scholarships for students pursuing careers in Miami-Dade’s hospitality industry for more than three decades. BHI focuses on three program components: advocacy, talent development, and career coaching, with the support of the GMCVB and industry partners. Visit www.gov.gov to learn more about the BHI Initiative and its impact, or to find out about partnership opportunities. gmcvb/bhi .html at miamiandbeaches.com. The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau ( GMCVB ) is a recognized, independent not-for-profit sales and marketing organization whose goal is to draw people to Greater Miami and Miami Beach for business, leisure, meetings, and conventions. Visit www. for more details. MiamiandMiamiBeach.com/About-GMCVB or call ( 305 ) 539-3000. Follow us on our corporate communications and external affairs social media accounts, Instagram and X.com ( Twitter.com )/ @GreaterMiamiCVB and Linked In.com/GreaterMiamiConvention& Visitors Bureau. ###