(BPRW) Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau’s BHI engages new board members to expand scholarships, drive workforce development and support future hospitality professionals

H.O.T. Challenge Golf Tournament on May 9 raises scholarship funds for students across Miami-Dade County

(Black PR Wire) MIAMI – The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) has expanded its BHI board of directors, to now include 22 Miami-Dade County education, business, civic and non-profit community leaders (full list below).   

The BHI’s mission is to promote economic participation and open doors of opportunity for students throughout Greater Miami’s visitor industry. The tourism and hospitality sector contributes more than $20 billion annually to Miami-Dade County’s economy, underscoring the critical importance of developing a skilled workforce to fill much-needed industry positions.

“Our future depends on developing a vibrant, motivated tourism and hospitality workforce, and the new board of directors will help create a strategic roadmap to provide students with the best opportunities to succeed and benefit from Miami-Dade’s leading visitor industry,” said GMCVB President & CEO David Whitaker.

The expanded BHI board of directors will prioritize initiatives such as expanding scholarships, launching workforce training programs and partnering with local businesses to create more equitable opportunities within Greater Miami’s hospitality sector. 

“There are few things more rewarding than motivating people to take on a new challenge and watching them learn, grow and expand their horizons,” said Desmond Alufohai, chair of the BHI board of directors. “This industry connects so many people in this community, and our success as an organization will be measured by how we continue to find new ways to reach those who might not be aware of the industry’s vast career opportunities and educate them on professional development options they can pursue.”

To raise scholarship funds that advance workforce career education in tourism and hospitality, BHI will hold its annual H.O.T. Challenge Golf Tournament on May 9 in Aventura. Hosted at the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort and Spa, the H.O.T. Challenge gathers industry executives for world-class golfing and networking. The annual tournament boasts a 32-year track record of raising more than $3.5 million and awarding 450 scholarships to students pursuing hospitality careers in Miami-Dade County.

To register your foursome or learn how you can help support the BHI mission, visit HotChallenge.com.

BHI Board of Directors

Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB):

• David Whitaker – President & CEO
• Joseph Yarzabal – Chief Financial Officer
• Connie Kinnard – Senior Vice President, Multicultural Tourism & Development

Miami-Dade County and Miami Beach:

• U. Desmond Alufohai – Chairman of the Board, (Protocol & International Affairs Division, Miami-Dade Aviation Department)
• Retha Boone-Fye – Vice-Chair, Program Director, Black Affairs Advisory Board
• Rick Beasley – CEO, CareerSource South Florida
• Bill Diggs – Executive Director, Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust
• Debra Owens – Director, Government and International Affairs, PortMiami
• Heather Shaw – Interim Director, City of Miami Beach Economic Development Department

Education and Workforce Development:

• Julie Kennedy – NAF Career Academy Facilitator, Academy of Hospitality and Tourism
• David Countin – Career Specialist, Miami Dade College
• Katheryn Martin – Assistant Director, Career Development, Florida International University
• Dr. Samer Hassen – Program Director for Culinary Arts, St. Thomas University, Culinary Arts & Hospitality Management Program
• Allison Auston – Executive Director, Educate Tomorrow

Corporate and Nonprofit Sector:

• Ed Ponder – Founder, Rednop MG LLC
• Gale Nelson – President & CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami
• Nashara Frazier – Director, Expedia Group
• Karen Hunter-Jackson – CEO, One Community Alliance Network, LLC & Foundation

Community and Advocacy:

• Yvette Harris – President & CEO, Harris Public Relations
• Carole Ann Taylor – Chair Emeritus, BHI
• William Anderson – Consultant, Research and Evaluation
• G. Eric Knowles – President & CEO, Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce

Dr. Graylyn Swilley-Woods is executive director of the BHI, interfacing with the BHI board and serving as staff liaison.

About the BHI

The BHI was established in 1991 to further career and educational opportunities in Greater Miami’s tourism sector. For over three decades, BHI has provided scholarships and supports equitable economic participation for students pursuing careers in Miami-Dade’s hospitality industry. With fundraising and operational support from the GMCVB and industry partners, BHI focuses on three program components: advocacy, talent development and career coaching.

To learn more about the BHI Initiative and its impact, or to explore partnership opportunities, visit www.miamiandbeaches.com/about-gmcvb/bhi.

 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 and X.com (Twitter.com)/@GreaterMiamiCVB and LinkedIn.com/GreaterMiamiConvention&VisitorsBureau.

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