MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA BizBash will host its BizBash Expo in Florida April 18 at the Fort Lauderdale Convention Center. One highlight of the expo will be the induction into the Hall of Fame of two local event professionals—Victoria Ascione, director of corporate meetings and events for Bacardi U.S.A. Inc., and Wendy Kallergis, president and C.E.O. of Greater Miami and the Beaches Hotel Association. The induction ceremony will take place during the morning general session. The keynote speaker for that session is Barton G. Weiss, founder and C.E.O. of Barton G.

For more than 25 years, Ascione has worked in facilitating corporate meetings and events, marketing, and human resources. She is a founding board member of the Green Meeting Industry Council's Florida/Caribbean Chapter and serves on the U.S. Council of the Meeting Professionals Council Foundation. She is also an appointed member of the board of advisers for the Bachelor of Science in Event Management at Rosen School of Hospitality at University of Central Florida, the Associated Luxury Hotels International Industry Advisory Council, and the APEX Leadership Council.

Kallergis works closely with various tourism and hospitality partners through Greater Miami and the Beaches Hotel Association, a membership-based organization composed of 160 hoteliers and 300 allied members across Miami-Dade County. 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. Kallergis serves on boards and organizations including the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau board of directors, the 

Academy of Hospitality and Tourism board of directors, and the 
Miami Dade College Culinary Institute Business Advisory Council
.

Weiss will speak with Richard Aaron, president of BizBash, about how he built his brand to include three restaurants—Barton G. The Restaurant, Prelude By Barton G., and the Dining Room at the Villa By Barton G.—and a hotel, the Villa by Barton G., housed in the former Versace Mansion.

During this year's expo, Erin Patrick McDonald of Erin Patrick Events will host a new, hands-on event design lab. Participants will learn the fundamentals of event design such as linen selection and floral arrangements, collaborating with others to design a reception table. The lab is limited to 50 attendees. 

Early bird registration is now open. Take $10 off early bird rates by registering here with code BBNEWS.