We had the good fortune of connecting with Marc Kaplan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marc, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I tend to be more of a calculated risk taker when it comes to my career, I am a big believer in the old adage “high risk, high reward.” To me life is about taking chances, if I want something bad enough I will project/manifest those wants into the universe and contrive of a clear path on how I am going to accomplish that. I feel like I you never know what the outcome will be if you don’t take the risk.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My career spans 12 years in the hospitality industry. While in college, I worked as a Catering/Dining Manager of a hotel and knew that hospitality was the path I wanted to take. After college, I moved back to South Florida and jumped into a career in the corporate meetings sector. I spent the last number of years working for Advantage Destination & Meeting Services Inc. as Associate Director of Sales where I specialized in high level corporate meetings, board retreats, sales conferences and incentive award trips. I worked with South Florida’s most prestigious hotels and was able to secure an agreement with The Ritz-Carlton South Beach and The Ritz-Carlton Bal Harbour to be their preferred Destination Management Company of choice and to service all of their corporate programs. I also was the youngest sitting board member for Meeting Professionals International’s South Florida Chapter for more than six years.

My extensive professional network has allowed me to transition most recently into my newest role as Director of Development for Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Foundation. Nicklaus Children’s Hospital was formally Miami Children’s Hospital and changed its name in 2015 with a very generous commitment from the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation, with the leadership of Jack and Barbara Nicklaus. My role with Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Foundation is to continue building strong relationships in the community among an active and passionate group of supporters while seeking new fundraising opportunities that benefit the hospital and make a positive impact in the lives of our patients. I am also a liaison between patient families, the hospital and foundation to provide support where needed and make sure our families are provided with the best experience while in our hospital.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Miami is truly the best destination for fun! Komodo is one of my all time favorite restaurants, anything that Dave Grutman of Groot Hospitality touches is pure gold. I also like to start at Rusty Pelican for drinks, if you have never been there to watch the sunset behind one of the most amazing skyline views, then I encourage you to go there for your next happy hour. Sugar at East Hotel is my next stop, once the sun goes down there is no better view from 40 floors up and the atmosphere is impeccable. For staycations, we love to frequent The Ritz-Carlton Bal Harbour. They are known to have some of the most lux bathrooms with soaking tubs that you can stay in for hours with a view that spans the entire stripe of Sunny Isles. We also enjoy their cabanas because they have private hot tubs which makes for a fun and relaxing day. Wynwood Walls is always a crowed pleaser and the art is always changing which makes it a nice experience to visit multiple times. Peacock Garden Cafe in Coconut Grove is always on my lunch stop during my tours. The lush garden really gives you a sense of what The Grove is all about. Of course our museums are fabulous to visit and I always love to take friends to Vizcaya. I like to take people to lunch at Los Fuegos at Faena, everyone always is amazed at how fab the hotel is and even more shocked when they see the gold mammoth, its definitely a photo op.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First and foremost, i would like to give a shoutout to my parents. They have been my biggest support throughout my life and my biggest cheerleaders. I would also like to give a big shoutout to my Husband who is always there to be my voice of reason and helps me grow every day, life would not be as exciting without in it.

Website: https://give.nicklauschildrens.org/home

Instagram: mk229

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marckaplan229/

Image Credits
Nicklaus Children’s Hospital System

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