Miami Beach, FL (February 22, 2024) – Sodexo Live!, hospitality partner to some of the world’s most iconic venues, is pleased to announce the appointment of Randy Morales as General Manager spearheading food and beverage operations at the Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC). With a dynamic career spanning over two decades in the hospitality industry, Morales brings a wealth of experience, a passion for service excellence, and a proven track record of leadership to his new role.
Morales began his hospitality journey at one of the largest hospital groups, Baptist Health, where he was an integral part of the services team. His dedication to providing personalized and comprehensive care set the foundation for his customer-centric approach in the hospitality sector. Morales then transitioned into the restaurant industry, where he spent 15 years with the Hillstone Restaurant Group. Starting in the front of the house, his exceptional work ethic and leadership skills propelled him through various management positions, culminating in his role as General Manager. In this capacity, Morales honed his expertise across multiple markets, including D.C., L.A., San Francisco, Napa Valley, and Dallas, before returning to Miami to lead the flagship bustling Coral Gables location.
Driven by a passion for cultivating positive and inclusive work cultures, Morales pivoted to an HR management role with Mr. Hospitality Group, contributing to the success of some of Miami's most iconic dining and nightlife venues, such as Marion Miami and Queen Miami Beach. In October 2022, Morales joined Sodexo Live! as a beverage consultant for the opening of the Rum Room at MBCC, demonstrating his expertise in crafting unique one-of-a-kind cocktail menus and training staff to provide exceptional beverage service.
Morales is a proud alumnus of Florida International University, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies and a Master of Science degree in Hospitality Management and Tourism Studies. His academic background, combined with his extensive industry experience, positions him as an ideal leader to spearhead Food & Beverage operations at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
"We’re excited to welcome Randy as our newest experience maker, taking on the role of General Manager for Sodexo Live! at the MBCC," said Danny Medina, Regional Vice President for Sodexo Live!. "As an innovative and dynamic leader, his significant contributions to Rum Room's cocktail program have already shown his vast potential. We look forward to having his expertise further enrich our hospitality experience to create even more memorable moments for event guests. Randy will be instrumental in developing a dining and beverage service that truly captures the vibrant essence of Miami.”
"Randy Morales' impressive career, dedication to service excellence, and visionary leadership style make him uniquely qualified to lead the Sodexo Live! team at the MBCC," said Freddie Peterson, General Manager of MBCC. "We look forward to seeing how Randy’s innovative approaches and commitment to excellence will continue to create those memorable experiences for our customers."
Under Morales' leadership, the Sodexo Live! team at the Miami Beach Convention Center is set to continue its tradition of delivering exceptional food & beverage service and creating memorable experiences for all guests and clients.
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About Sodexo Live!
Sodexo Live! manages prestigious convention, cultural, and sporting venues and major events worldwide. With 40,000 employees and 500 sites, Sodexo Live! offers bespoke catering, sales, and event management services, transforming consumer experiences into unforgettable memories. Sodexo Live! is committed to unlocking customers' full potential while favoring local communities. It contributes to the success of prestigious events such as Royal Ascot, the Tour de France, the Rugby World Cup, and the upcoming Paris 2024 Games. Sodexo Live! also showcases exceptional venues such as the Eiffel Tower Restaurants, Bateaux Parisiens, Yachts de Paris, the Royal Academy of Arts in London, the Museo del Prado in Madrid, the Hard Rock Stadium, the Scottish National Gallery, and the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.
About Miami Beach Convention Center and Campus
Re-imagined following a $640 million renovation, the expanded MBCC includes a new 60,000 sq.-ft. grand ballroom, four junior ballrooms, almost 500,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space, an expanded grand lobby, pre-function areas that are bathed in natural light, up to 84 breakout rooms, approximately 800 roof deck parking spaces, almost 2,100 miles of cabling to support all IT communications, $10.2 million worth of art curated by the City of Miami Beach Art in Public Places program, a six-acre (Pride Park) and three-acre (Collins Canal Park) public green spaces that can serve as incremental event space. The MBCC campus includes two new event spaces: Venu, a space for elegant private events and upscale meetings, and Rum Room, a 1920s restaurant with an enticing tapas-style menu and local South Florida rums. The MBCC is proud to have earned Global Biorisk Advisory Council® (GBAC) STAR™ Facility Accreditation, and LEED® Silver Certification as part of the venue’s expansion project, which includes many environmentally friendly features.
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