(BPRW) Celebrating Miami-Dade County’s hospitality history maker – Carole Ann Taylor

A profile of Carole Ann Taylor, founder of Miami To Go

(Black PR Wire) MIAMI, FL – In celebrating the impact of Greater Miami’s Black-owned and woman-owned businesses this Women’s  History Month, the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) is highlighting Hospitality History Makers from local businesses like Miami To Go, the brainchild of Carole Ann Taylor, president and co-owner of several travel, culture and destination retail businesses in Little Havana and at Miami International Airport. Thanks to her ingenuity, vision and leadership, there are now five successful stores at Miami International Airport that draw customers from all over the world.

Taylor entered the travel retail, culture and duty-free business in 1987 when she founded Bayside To Go in Miami’s Bayside Marketplace. While operating at Bayside, she was instrumental in securing leased space for more than 25 Black-owned businesses. She helped establish the Bayside Minority Foundation to support and help finance Greater Miami’s minority-owned businesses.

With a belief that tourists come to this destination to experience its real cultural flavor, Taylor found her own way to grow the Miami brand as a multicultural destination. She established an impressive chain of specialty retail brands and stores, including: Miami To Go; Bayside To Go; Little Havana To Go; Miami Concepts; Miami Gifts To Go; Cultures To Go and Destination Concepts. She became a director of Perfumania Holdings, Inc., listed on NASDAQ.

A true and legendary history maker, Taylor served as a longstanding board member of the GMCVB for over 30 years prior to stepping down in 2022. She was one the founders of the GMCVB’s Visitor Industry Council (VIC) which promotes education, mentoring and scholarships for students looking to establish or further their careers in Miami-Dade County’s tourism sector. She was instrumental in the creation of the GMCVB’s Multicultural Tourism Development Department, that has an objective to promote tourism and business development in Miami-Dade County’s historic heritage neighborhoods. These initiatives were instrumental in the development of the GMCVB’s Tourism Business Enhancement Program and the Art of Black Miami. Both programs stand out as pillars of success. 

With support from partners associated with the GMCVB’s Tourism Business Enhancement program, Taylor has successfully provided a platform for minority businesses, artisans and entrepreneurs to further their growth.  This led to opportunities for artists, jewelers, musicians, writers and other talented individuals of varied cultures, heritages and neighborhoods to showcase their authenticity through retail operations she has established over the years.

“What’s most fulfilling is seeing our communities grow as visitor cultural attractions and the business opportunities that result from GMCVB programs,” said Taylor. “We have every reason to believe that those with creativity, courage and vision can succeed in Miami-Dade County’s hospitality and tourism industries when resources are made available.”

In addition to her entrepreneurial activities, Taylor has served on a number of boards including the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County, the Historic Lyric Theater, WDNA 88.9 FM and Viernes Culturales and the GMCVB. Taylor is known for reimaging jazz standards and is also a noted jazz singer who worked with the likes of Duke Ellington and Lionel Hampton. She has a residency at The Betsy Hotel.

About the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB)

The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) is an accredited, independent not-for-profit sales and marketing organization whose mission is to attract visitors to Greater Miami and Miami Beach for leisure, business, meetings and conventions. For additional information, visit www.MiamiandMiamiBeach.com/About-GMCVB or call 305-539-3000. Stay connected with the GMCVB by following us on our corporate communications and external affairs social media channels: Instagram@GreaterMiamiCVB and LinkedIn.com/GreaterMiamiConvention&VisitorsBureau. 

About the Tourism Business Enhancement Program

The Tourism Business Enhancement Program (TBE) advocates, supports and strengthens the economic sustainability and access of multicultural communities and heritage related businesses within Miami-Dade County. This initiative is led by the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Multicultural Tourism & Development Department in an effort to support small businesses directly and indirectly impacted by tourism. Discover more inspiring community businesses at www.multiculturalmiami.com.

About the Art of Black Miami

The GMCVB’s Art of Black Miami program celebrates artists, exhibits and art initiatives represented locally and abroad featuring significant works inspired by Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America and beyond. It provides a forum for visitors and residents to learn about the visual artists, discover their stories and get a new perspective on Greater Miami’s vibrant and unique artistic landscape that touches the Black diaspora. Learn more at ArtofBlackMiami.com.  

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