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Vol. 3 No. 18
Quick Find Links


EVENTS 








Map Sponsors
 
 
Shops at MIA
 
 
  Fogo De Chao
 
 

Aventura Mall 



Sawgrass Mills











 


Dadeland Mall
 
 
Index Sponsors   
 
To bring together concierges in hotels, resorts and selected condominiums and as such to establish and promote high professional and ethical standards. 




To encourage friendship and communication among concierges and related guest service personnel in South Florida, the United States and throughout the world.
 
To expand and assist in the training of those entering the concierge profession and, in general, to promote, foster, enhance, and improve the technical skills and professionalism of concierges and guest service personnel.
 


 
To foster the development of the role of the concierge in the hotel industry and tourism in general.



To maintain the highest standards of concierge service.
To bring together concierges in hotels, resorts and selected condominiums and as such to establish and promote high professional and ethical standards.


 

To encourage friendship and communication among concierges and related guest service personnel in South Florida, the United States and throughout the world.

 

To coordinate, promote and assist in the activities and interests of concierges.

 
 

To foster the development of the role of the concierge in the hotel industry and tourism in general.
 

To maintain the highest standards of concierge service.
 




To bring together concierges in hotels, resorts and selected condominiums and as such to establish and promote high professional and ethical standards.


 

To coordinate, promote and assist in the activities and interests of concierges.
 

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The SFCA Board Of Directors and 2015 Welcome Committee

As September comes to a close we look forward to another strong season with new hotels coming online. Kudos to SFCA board member Brian Bean for his efforts with Boys and Girls Club of Miami and our Back to School campaign. An amazing array of school supplies where donated by our sponsors and members, including 20+ book bags thanks to Kelly Fishing Fleet, and a brand new Dell PC, thanks to Captain Stan Saffan and Therapy IV. Brian does not rest on his laurels. He is already planning the future as we collect candy for our Halloween campaign with Kristi House in October. Last year we donated close to 1,000 bags of candy. Now that was a TREAT! 

The Florida Conference was a resounding success with 167+ in attendance and some of the most dynamic speakers to date. The dates for next year's conference have been set. We look forward to welcoming even more September 6-8, 2016 somewhere in Broward County. 

In closing, I would like to acknowledge the hardest working board I have ever had the honor or working with. To plan a conference as dynamic as FCC 2015; it takes a village. When called upon, the SFCA "villagers" rose to the occasion and worked in every aspect of the program. Success is never final and it certainly does not happen in a bubble. It takes a group with dedication and passion. Your 2015-2016 Board of Directors has all these attributes and more. 

The Best is Yet to Come......

THANK YOU for all that you have done and continue to do EVERYDAY!


Warm Regards, 
Miguel Pena
President / CEO
mpena@sfcaonline.com

Like us on Facebook to see upcoming events, openings and attractions in South Florida! 
Find us on YouTube to see our videos of featured restaurants, tours, activities and more in South Florida.
 


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Members Corner


Please join us in congratulating the St. Regis Bal Harbour's newest, esteemed member of Les Clefs d'Or:
Robbin Quevedo 
Robbin has extensive experience as a concierge with over 15 years in the field. He has worked at the Fontainebleau Hotel and as part of the opening team of the St. Regis Bal Harbour. Robbin earned his Les Clefs d'Or USA keys due to his dedication and passion for his concierge career.


The Boys & Girls Club of Miami Thanks YOU!

Click above to watch YouTube thank you video


As appreciated as they always are, it is often that we get to see firsthand the benefits of our charity. That is not the case here, where we visited the Boys & Girls Club of Miami a couple weeks after our donation. They were thrilled! The boys and girls were so appreciate of our donations and are looking forward to the year ahead, stocked with all of the supplies needed to succeed. A HUGE thank you to our membership for being so committed and excited about helping our community!





Dinner and Drag

Bianca at Delano is having the only and only, Adora for a Vaudeville drag performance featuring a delectable prix fixe menu for $65 a person. Every Wednesday beginning at 9PM the notorious drag queen will take center stage in the main dining room for the interactive burlesque show. For reservations please call 305-674-5752


September Birthdays

Jacqueline Gonzalez
Continuum North Tower
09/17

Rene Faustin
ICON South Beach
09/17

Nathalie Yvonne Jolain
Royal Palm Miami South Beach
09/17

Ed Ponder
Betsy South Beach
09/18

Robert Martinez
Biltmore Hotel
09/21

James Poitras
Continuum South Beach
09/21

David Chowdhury
W South Beach
09/21

Francisco Garcia
Sofitel Miami
09/22

Jay Baldridge
Mandarin Oriental Miami
09/23

Odalys Rojas
Marriott South Beach
09/24

Alejandro Valcarel
InterContinental Doral
09/25

Robert Ciabattoni
St. Regis Bal Harbour Residences
09/25

Walter Duarte
Four Seasons Miami
09/27

Sergio Balinotti
St. Regis Bal Harbour Residences
09/28

Robbin Quevedo
St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort
09/29

Kristina Haug
1 Hotel South Beach
09/30

Roberto Romero
Carillon Hotel & Spa
09/30
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featuredevents


EVENTS 
 
 
Miami Spice Month (YES!)
 
SEPT 1 - 30 
Various Locations throughout Miami
Click image above for participating restaurants and events

Miami Spice is a mouth-watering restaurant promotion showcasing the very best of Miami cuisine.

During August 1 - September 30, restaurants offer three-course meals featuring signature dishes created by world-renowned chefs at reduced prices: Lunch $23 and Dinner $39.


19th Brazilian Film Festival

SEPT 12 - 19: Click above image for times
Miami Beach Cinematheque
1130 Washington Ave
Miami Beach, FL

The 19th Brazilian Film Festival of Miami (BRAFF) will be held from September 12 to 19. BRAFF Miami holds two competitions (shorts and features films) at Colony Theatre. In order to participate in the competition the films must be premièring in Florida when screened at the festival. The Annual Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to actress Regina Duarte. Two relevant films of her career and special documentaries will be screened at Miami Beach Cinematheque. All segments of the festival present approximately 25 films during the 8-daylong event. The Crystal Lens Award will be given to the best feature and short films voted by the audience.


Miami Fashion Film Festival

SEPT 16-17: Click above image for times and locations
Various Locations
Miami, FL

Adding to Miami's art and cultural offerings, the Miami Fashion Film Festival (MIAFFF) celebrates the films and filmmakers that creatively examine the art, culture, and business of fashion, both locally and internationally.

Offering a close and colorful look at the creative and fast-paced world of the fashion industry, screenings include documentaries, designer brand and experimental shorts, fashion-in-film classics as well as the style-filled movies that have inspired our love of fashion.


Miccosukee Tribe Celebrates American Indian Day
SEPT 26: 10AM - 6PM
Miccosukee Resort & Gaming
500 SW 177th Ave
Miami, FL 33194
 
Step into a world of tradition and heritage at the Miccosukee Tribe Celebrates American Indian Day Festival! Let Native American music and dance move you and witness the beauty of traditional patchwork in a Miccosukee fashion show. Hop aboard an exciting airboat ride and sit at the edge of your seat as you witness a thrilling alligator wrestling show. Amusement rides for the kids to enjoy all day. Explore unique tribal arts and crafts and taste Native American food. Free Admission!
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sportsevents


SPORTS

Purchase tickets directly from Front Row USA
 
 
 
Miami Marlins
vs. Philadelphia 
SEPT 22 7:10PM 
SEPT 23 7:10PM
SEPT 24 1:10PM 
 
vs. Atlanta
SEPT 25 7:10PM 
SEPT 26 7:10PM 
SEPT 27 1:10PM  
 
Marlins Park
501 Marlins Way
Miami, FL 33125


Miami Dolphins
vs. Buffalo
SEPT 3 4:25PM

Sun Life Stadium  
Miami, FL


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featuredtheater

 
Arts


Tango Lovers: The Best Musical Show Of The Year
 
SEPT 17: 8PM
The Fillmore Miami Beach 
1700 Washington Avenue
Miami Beach, FL
 
 
Celebrating Celia! Aymee Nuviola with special guest Diego "El Cigala"
SEPT 19: 8PM
Adrienne Arsht PAC
1300 Biscayne Blvd 
Miami, FL

By popular demand, Cuba Beat celebrates the undisputed Queen of Salsa with another evening of her music. GRAMMY® and Latin GRAMMY® nominee Aymée Nuviola, the star of Telemundo's mini-series "Celia", the, world-renowned two-time GRAMMY winner Diego "El Cigala", and other guests, bring the Cuban icon's songbook to life. 
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Restaurants


FEATURED RESTAURANTS


Piripi

Classic & experimental Spanish dishes & cocktails in arresting digs with a whimsical chandelier.


9Beach 
DiningOut Miami mentions the new addition to South Beach, 9Beach
"Introducing 9beach Miami. Israeli hospitality brand 9beach opens its first U.S. location. Just when you think that South Beach had exhausted its list of trendy nightlife destinations, a new place pops up that makes all its predecessors seem, well, a bit bland. 9beach Miami (1626 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 786.327.6073) has managed to do just that-emerging as one of the hottest places in town."


ROKBRGR Gulfstream 
"We are your neighborhood public house and burger joint with no red ropes and no attitude. You will get the feeling of being in a 1920's style prohibition bar. ROK:BRGR is a gourmet burger bar and gastropub with a modern approach to American comfort food."
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Fab5


FAB 5
We love wine!  
  

1) Wine by the Bay
While many people enjoy contemporary art, even more people enjoy drinking wine while looking at art or drinking wine while looking at wine. Through this realization and with the aid of other enophiles with wine-business savvy, Stefano merged his passions for art and wine under the moniker Wine by the Bay, located downtown. "I am looking forward to offering something that everyone enjoys and in an environment where the art can be appreciated by many and in an unintimidating way," Campanini says of the new, modern, 1,200-square-foot fine-wine and art boutique with terrace views of Biscayne Bay and a steady rotation of exhibitions. "At art openings, wine is like a sideshow, but now, it will take center stage."
 
 
2) Lagniappe

Cozy New Orleans-style wine bar with a shabby-chic decor supplying barbecue & live music nightly.
 

3) Schnebly Redland'sWinery

Off the beaten path and colored with lush greenery and waterfalls, this Homestead grape paradise offers a roster of innovative wines made with fusions of tropical South Florida fruits like mango, guava, avocado and coconut and also brews ales and wheat beers with fruity finishes. Visitors can also tour the estate, indulge in tastings or growlers or attend special events in the hutlike pavilion.
     
  
4) PAMM Third Thursdays

Every third Thursday of the month, PAMM brings together an eclectic range of internationally-acclaimed DJs and musicians for an outdoor music series on the terrace by the bay. The series kicks off with a focus on experimental sounds and diverse cross-genre dance music. Reflecting the role of the museum as a cultural port and social gathering place, this evening series embraces the artistry of sound as an essential part of the creative landscape. Free with museum admission. Drink specials and light bites from Verde restaurant and bar.
 

5) Wherever You Are 
Finally, enjoy wine with friends wherever you deem most appropriate with the help of this fantastic new service - Club W. They send you three bottles a month based off of your specific preferences. The cost? The same that you would spend on wine at the store - but these bottles get delivered to your door. Click picture above for more info! 
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CoolApp


COOL APPS & TECH

 
VHS Camcorder  
Android/iOS
  
VHS Camcorder turns your iPhone into a 90s video camera, complete with the timestamp, the bad audio quality, and the tracking distortion that we all know too well.  
 
  
Numerous
Android/iOS
  
Claiming to track "life's most important numbers", Numerous aims to be a single dashboard for your digital stats, from steps counted by your fitness-tracker, to your social media followers or the number of days until your anniversary. A fun tool for number-crunchers.
  
  
Karen
Android/iOS
 
 
Karen sounds a bit scary at first: a "life coach" who asks you questions in order to build a psychological profile of you. Except, as you go along, there's more to it interactions than you expected. Part science and part interactive drama, and always thought-provoking.
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Wall of Fame

Congratulations on being all the world wants in a concierge!

Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach
SEPT 13        
Wonderful people, wonderful hotel! Vicki at concierge is fantastic! I kind of drove her a little crazy about my daughters 9th birthday and she went above and beyond to make her feel special! She decorated our room beautifully! Thank you Vicki!!! 
 
The Atlantic Hotel & Spa
SEPT 12 
Service came with a smile and we appreciated the nice birthday cake surprise as well as Lisa (concierge)'s recommendations.

Acqualina
SEPT 1 
We asked for site suggestions from the resort concierge Maya she gave us a few helpful suggestions, maps and was of course a pleasure to talk to.

Trump International Beach Resort
SEPT 12
Special thanks to the concierge in trump international , and particularly Mariana Malek , who is exemplary in costumer service and provides brilliant concierge assistance . Numerous occasions I have asked her all sorts of requests even printing my boarding passes ..no job is too small for her as head of concierge , always ready to help and extremely pleasant to deal with , no wonder she is "clet d'or " . Always wonderful experience thank you Trump international concierge team !

The Carillon Hotel
SEPT 7
 Still she didn't need to do that and like Robert the concierge who recommended a great diner in South Beach, her 'going the extra mile' attitude was amazing. 
 
1 Hotel
SEPT 13
 
Aside from the great look, the associates there were all very nice especially
Reo and his awesome Concierge team.
 
The Betsy
SEPT 13
The concierge, Paul is awesome, so say the least! He arranged for a really cool rental car to be delivered (thanks to John Moore of Miami Convertibles, So prompt, pleasant and professional) and our trip to the Zoololgical Wildlife Foundation which provided a once in a lifetime opportunity to hold real cubs!

SEPT 13
Before arrival Oksana - concierge , set us up very quickly with dinner suggestions and arranged for a coffee maker in room - thank-you! Paul another very talented and deserving fella gave us lots of information and suggestions . Paul was not only easy to talk to but very informative .
 
The Miami Beach EDITION
SEPT 9
From Nicole who set up a chocolate birthday surprise for my husband to Brian and Joey at the concierge desk who helped with dinner reservations and baseball tickets, service was impeccable and deeply appreciated.
 
SEPT 7
Sasha, Paulo, Steven, Brian (concierge) and the sweet girl in charge of the water outside made our stay unforgettable!! ... The weather was unpredictable and we needed a backup plan last minute! Enter Brian the amazing Concierge! No need to worry, if we needed a backup location he had a bungalow standing by!

The Hotel
SEPT 10
John the concierge was great too, all of his recommendations were on point.

SEPT 8 
Everyone was so helpful - Shout out to John the concierge who was ESPECIALLY helpful in recommending places to eat, drink, and sightsee. Everything he suggested was a hit with me and my friends.

Gale South Beach
SEPT 13 
Thank you Gili, Chef Concierge for gave us a happy trip

SEPT 11 
The Chef Concierge, Gili Zimmerman, was extremely helpful on the 2 occaisions we needed some guidance. 
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Credits

Supervisory Editor: Miguel Pena
Editing, Web Design, Graphic Design, Writing: Joey Oros

Cover design by Joey Oros


We hope that you enjoyed this edition of The Maestro.