Key to funding the organization’s VIC, the tournament brings together community and industry leaders to experience best-in-class golfing and high-profile networking

MIAMI — (April 13, 2023) — The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) is hosting its 30th annual Hospitality Open Tournament (H.O.T) Golf Challenge, Friday, April 28, 2023, a tournament fundraiser benefitting the BHI. Since its inception 30 years ago, the program has raised more than $3.5 million and awarded over 450 scholarships to students who are committed to working in Miami-Dade County’s visitor industry.

Established in 1991, VIC was created following a tourism boycott of Greater Miami and Miami Beach. This civic action led to a 20-point program where community leaders and activists created initiatives that boosted roles in the local hospitality industry. The GMCVB and industry partners provide operational support, staff and resources to assist the BHI in carrying out its mission.

Essential to the impact of the VIC programming is the Hospitality Open Tournament (H.O.T.) Challenge, the initiative’s annual fundraiser. This golf outing brings together industry leaders, community partners and program graduates to participate in an exhilarating day on the links at the Miami Beach Golf Club.

“Investing in our local students today provides them a springboard to launch successful careers tomorrow,” said Graylyn Swilley Woods, Ph.D., director of the VIC. “Developing leaders and showing them a pathway for growth is a critical step in developing hospitality professionals who continue contributing to the success of Greater Miami and Miami Beach as a world-class destination. We are unwavering in our commitment to promote the hospitality industry, and to be a facilitator that creates opportunities for everyone in our community.”

“Miami’s rich history and diverse neighborhoods with heritages and cultures that stem from throughout the world makes it unique among destinations in the U.S.,” said David Whitaker, GMCVB president and CEO. “That is why it’s essential for us to not only acknowledge, but to make it our priority to lead efforts that will promote a workforce that reflects the makeup of our community. We are committed to supporting future generations’ access to vital resources that enable VIC program participants to achieve long-term success in the field.”

During the 2022-2023 academic year, a total of 14 students were awarded scholarships by the VIC, each attending a local higher-education institution. The VIC program yields proven results with a total of 80% of VIC undergraduate scholars graduating within 5½ years, a rate nearly 30% higher than the national average of undergraduates. Program graduates have emerged as industry leaders, securing positions with local hotels, cruise line partners and award-winning culinary establishments.

“VIC helped alleviate financial pressures for me which allowed me to focus on my education and career- two critical components of personal growth and development,” said BHI graduate Roseline Bien-Aime, senior sales manager at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel. “Having financial stability and security have gone a long way in supporting my efforts to achieve my goals in this wonderful industry.”

With the help of university partners like Miami Dade College, St. Thomas University, Florida Memorial University and Florida International University, the program has been able to grow, adding two new areas of specialization including sports administration and aviation management.

For more information on the VIC, please visit the GMCVB website. Scholarship queries should be directed to BHI@GMCVB.com. For more information on supporting the H.O.T. Challenge, visit www.hotchallenge.com. The event begins on Friday, April 28 at 8 a.m. at the Miami Beach Golf Club (2301 Alton Road, Miami Beach, FL 33140).

The VIC is a division of the GMCVB Multicultural Tourism & Development Department and is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization established by the GMCVB to advance economic participation and open doors of opportunity for students in the Greater Miami and Miami Beach visitor industry.

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About the Greater Miami Convention and 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: Twitter.com/GreaterMiamiCVB and LinkedIn.com/GreaterMiamiConvention&VisitorsBureau.

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For media inquiries, please contact Jordan Hathaway at jhathaway@kivvit.com or 402-415-8023.

GMCVB's Hospitality Open Tournament (H.O.T.) Golf Challenge marks 30 years

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