By: Steve Turk

On November 21st, 2024, I had the incredible honor of being nominated for the 33rd Annual South Florida Tourism Professional of the Year Award, hosted by the Academy of Hospitality & Tourism at the Hyatt Regency Miami. The event brought together some of the most passionate and accomplished leaders in South Florida’s hospitality and tourism industry.

It was truly a humbling experience to stand on stage with so many talented professionals who dedicate themselves to making South Florida a world-class destination. Listening to the stories of innovation, leadership, and community impact shared throughout the luncheon was nothing short of inspiring.

What made the event even more meaningful was the mission it supported: preparing the next generation of hospitality and tourism leaders through the Academy of Hospitality & Tourism program. Watching these young students learn, grow, and aspire to careers in our industry reminded me why I love what I do.

While I didn’t win the award, the recognition as a nominee is something I will always cherish. It’s a milestone that represents the journey I started three years ago when I took a leap of faith to pursue my dream of building something of my own in this industry.

Looking back, that leap wasn’t easy. Leaving the safety of a traditional career to start my own ventures was filled with uncertainty, hard work, and moments of doubt. But standing on that stage last week, I was reminded why chasing your dreams is always worth it.

I want to encourage everyone reading this: if there’s a dream you’ve been thinking about, take the first step. The journey won’t always be easy, but it’s the challenges that make the victories so much sweeter. Three years ago, I couldn’t have imagined being on that stage. Who knows where your dreams might take you a year from now?

To my fellow nominees, the deserving winner, and the organizers of this inspiring event, thank you for celebrating the work we do and for reminding us of the impact we can have.

Here’s to dreaming big, working hard, and lifting each other up along the way.