Meeting sponsored by Lonnie Ogulnick, Ladenburg Thalmann and
Ben Launerts, Parksman Parking

Photography by Andrew Goldstein

“It’s So Miami” was the theme of the Aventura Marketing Council’s July breakfast meeting focusing on tourism, financial and entrepreneurial success with guest speaker Bill Talbert, President and CEO of the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, with meeting co-hosts Lonnie Ogulnick, Managing Director of Lonnie Gordon Financial Group at Ladenburg Thalmann, and Ben Launerts, founder and CEO of Parksman Parking.

AMC Chair Cliff Schulman of Weiss, Serota, Helfman welcomed hundreds of business and community leaders gathered at the Newport Beachside Hotel & Resort, and congratulated Launerts on now assisting with valet parking service at the hotel with a full takeover scheduled for August 15th, 2012.   Talbert explained, “Greater Miami is one of the top destinations in the world today and will experience double-digit growth in 2013.”

As chair of the Brazil Committee for the U.S. Travel Board of Directors, Talbert supports the goal to expedite the visa waiver process and dramatically increase visitors from South American countries.  “In 2010, Brazil became Greater Miami’s first billion dollar international feeder market,” he said. “Travel and tourism mean ‘jobs, jobs, jobs’ and in this tough economy, that’s helping all of us.
”The demand for travel to Greater Miami has never been greater and the future is very bright. The ‘Brand USA’ program has $200 million to promote foreign travel to the U.S.; ‘Visit Florida’ has had a significant increase in marketing dollars; we have a new airport and downtown rail connector; and we’ve got Pow Wow, the number one travel show, coming  here in 2016. All of this happens by us partnering and working together!”

Supporting “It’s So Miami” growth, Lonnie Gordon Ogulnick was personally invited to help build and grow Ladenburg Thalmann’s corporate headquarters located in Dr. Phil Frost’s IVAX building in Miami.  Ogulnick customizes and builds portfolios for individual clients, as well as retirement planning, while working closely with Ladenburg Thalmann’s asset management team, providing long term investment solutions and strategies.  Ogulnick has a passion for helping both individuals and corporations navigate through the global financial landscape, accumulating and preserving wealth.  For more information, contact 305-572-4104 or visit lgladenburg.com.

Ben Launerts of Parksman Parking has created opportunities for over 200 Parksman associates to earn promotions.  Attributing great success to over 20 years of experience, the drive to surpass ordinary standards and civic involvement, Parksman continues to forge new partnerships, launch new divisions and land exclusive contracts with premier properties in the Aventura and Sunny Isles Beach areas including their newest client, Newport Beachside Hotel & Resort. Launerts also serves as Vice Chair of the Advisory Board of the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism for Miami-Dade County Schools.  For more information, phone 888-982-PARK (7275) or visit parksmanparking.com.