Speakers

Wendy Kallergis works closely with various tourism and hospitality partners to continue to grow Miami as a top-tier worldwide travel destination. The GMBHA is a membership-based organization representing the entire hotel industry in Miami Dade County and local and national hospitality businesses. The association's goal is to unify the travel, tourism and hospitality industry with business and government leaders locally, nationally, and internationally in order to enhance the visitor experience through education, advocacy and networking. She received the National Immigration Forum's Leadership award to promote New American Citizenship at the hotels and hospitality businesses workplace. She serves on many boards and committees to include the GMCVB Board of Directors, FIU Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, Miami Dade College Hospitality School Board, Academy of Hospitality and Tourism Chair Elect, NAF Track Miami and is a member of the national Coalition for the American Dream. She recently was appointed to the Miami Dade County Tourism Development Council. She is most proud of working with her growing group of women hotel general managers to mentor, provide internships and work with underserved communities to help educate young women to get jobs in the hospitality industry.

Prior to her position at the Miami Beach Chamber as President and CEO, Wendy spent six years as the Miami City Club's General Manager, a private Executive Club comprising of the “who's who” of the business, arts and culture, and philanthropic business community. She began her career in catering sales and management, serving as Catering & Convention Services Manager for the Hotel Inter-Continental and as Assistant Director of Catering at the Biltmore Hotel, later becoming Director of Catering. At the Biltmore, Wendy oversaw the production of the State Dinner for President and Mrs. Clinton during the Summit of The Americas. In addition to the Inter-Continental and Biltmore hotels, her catering career continued at high-end establishments such as Gene's Catering (events to include 2 Super Bowls, New World Symphony and Lipton/Ericsson Tennis Tournaments. The Mayfair House, Delano ( to include Madonna's 40th birthday) and The Grand Bay Hotel.

Wendy was born and raised in Maine and grew up with a love for food and cooking as part of a restaurateur family. After earning a B.A. in French Language from George Washington University, she immediately set out to France. There she attended the University of Paris earning a degree in French history, language and art followed by the prestigious Cordon Bleu L'Ecole de Cuisine earning a Diplome French Cuisine. She subsequently concluded her studies at the Modern Gourmet Cooking School in Annecy, France with a Diplome Professional Chef and Diplome Professional Teacher. Upon returning to the United States, Wendy  continued her career in the culinary arts as a Chef Garde Manger in Restaurant Nora in Washington D.C. then as Executive Chef of Finesse Fine Foods, an off premise Catering & Prepared Foods Boutique, also in Washington D.C. that catered many events at the Smithsonian and pre-inaugural dinner for Ronald Reagan.

Wendy is married to Nick Kallergis and they have 2 grown children Nicholas 32 and Katherine 29.