The Greater Miami & the Beaches Hotel Association Recognizes Hospitality Managers and Supervisors during its 11th Annual Hospitality Leadership Awards
Carrie Zawadzkas, Mondrian South Beach and Omar Quinonez, SLS Brickell won Outstanding Manager of the Year
Miami, FL (November 21, 2023) – The Greater Miami & the Beaches Hotel Association (GMBHA), a membership organization comprised of hoteliers and allied members across Miami-Dade County, presented its “Hospitality Leadership Awards" on November 21st, honoring 160 outstanding managers and supervisors of the various hotel departments. With over 380 guests in attendance, GMBHA’s President & CEO Wendy Kallergis and Chairman of the Board Matthias Kammerer presented the awards at the 11th annual program held at JW Marriott Marquis Miami.
The GMBHA’s Hospitality Leadership Award recipients were selected from more than 160 nominations from over 40 hotels and were evaluated by a panel of external judges related to the hospitality industry. This year’s “Outstanding Manager” Awards went to Carrie Zawadzkas, Mondrian South Beach and Omar Quinonez, SLS Brickell. In addition, twenty-eight winners from other hotel departments including Catering, Food & Beverage, Front Office, Housekeeping, Security Officer, Recreation/Spa, Engineering, Culinary, Human Resources, Executive Steward, Revenue, Finance, Sales/Marketing/PR and Assistant General Manager were recognized. To view the list of winners, please visit www.gmbha.com.
“This is the GMBHA’s 11th year recognizing exceptional managers from Miami-Dade County’s hospitality industry,” said Wendy Kallergis, President & CEO of the GMBHA. “These dedicated managers and supervisors not only contribute to the overall success of our thriving tourism market but also serve as role models to their entire hotel team.”
The event was sponsored by JW Marriott Marquis Miami, Encore, the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, Limo Miami, Mondrian South Beach, BSE Hospitality Group, HireApp, Mandarin Oriental Miami, SLS Hotels, The Biltmore Hotel, Carillon Miami Wellness Resort, JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa, EAST, Miami, InterContinental at Doral Miami and Hotel AKA Brickell.
About the GMBHA
The Greater Miami & the Beaches Hotel Association is a membership organization comprised of hoteliers and allied members across Miami-Dade County. The association’s goal is to promote the interest of its members through advocacy, education, and partnerships and to advance Miami-Dade County as the visitor’s destination of choice. The GMBHA’s calendar of events includes a monthly hotelier’s breakfast series, networkers, and luncheons featuring top leaders and educators in the hospitality industry. For more information, visit gmbha.com.
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Outstanding Manager of the Year (Over 200 rooms):
Carrie Zawadzkas
Mondrian South Beach
Outstanding Manager of the Year (Under 200 rooms):
Omar Quinonez
SLS Brickell Miami
Congratulations to all of our winners and nominees!
Outstanding Manager of the Year
Over 200 rooms - Carrie Zawadzkas, Mondrian South Beach
Under 200 rooms - Omar Quinonez, SLS Brickell
Catering
Over 200 rooms – Jamie Smoker, InterContinental Miami
Under 200 rooms – Diana Morales, The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, Miami
Culinary
Over 200 rooms – Mikel Pichs, W South Beach
Under 200 rooms – Stefan Saindoux, Kimpton Surfcomber Miami Beach
Engineering Manager
Over 200 rooms – Lieter Diaz, Trump National Doral
Under 200 rooms – Reinaldo Heredia, SLS Brickell
Executive Steward
Jose Cabrera, Mandarin Oriental, Miami
Food & Beverage/Banquets Manager
Over 200 room – Elvis Rodriguez, InterContinental Miami
Under 200 rooms – Jonathan Gabbay, Four Seasons at The Surf Club
Finance Manager
Over 200 rooms – Aldo Tseng, EAST, Miami
Under 200 rooms – Yadira Lopez, Carillon Miami Wellness Resort
Housekeeping Manager
Over 200 rooms – Andrew Velazquez, Loews Miami Beach Hotel
Under 200 rooms – Ghislaine Auguste, The Kent Hotel
Human Resources Manager
Over 200 rooms – Juliette Estevez, The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami
Under 200 rooms – Maray Rodriguez, The Standard Spa, Miami Beach
Recreation/Spa Manager
Over 200 – Salvador Cotes, Nobu Eden Roc
Under 200 – Brooke Langeloh, Four Seasons at The Surf Club
Revenue Manager
Over 200 rooms – Lena Lee, JW Marriott Miami
Under 200 rooms – Estefania Sierra, Carillon Miami Wellness Resort
Rooms Divisions/Front Office Manager
Over 200 rooms – Melike Ariz, Hotel AKA Brickell
Under 200 rooms – Lennard Robinson, Dream South Beach
Sales/Marketing/PR Manager
Over 200 rooms – Chantal Lovaton, JW Marriott Marquis Miami
Under 200 rooms – Kevin O'Donnell, The Standard Spa, Miami Beach
Security Manager
Over 200 rooms – Lucas Guzman, The Confidante Miami Beach
Under 200 rooms – James Rock, The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, Miami
IT Manager
Over 200 rooms – Zorayda Urena, InterContinental at Doral Miami
Under 200 rooms – Alessandro Samways, SLS South Beach
Assistant GM/Hotel Manager
Melissa Castillo, Yve Hotel Miami