Highlighted Enterprises

July 2020

Total Auxiliary Revenue for FY 2019-20    

As FIU wraps up their year in closing, our esteemed team takes pride in the immense accomplishments of the FY 2019-20. A total of $238.6 million was generated in auxiliary revenue in culmination of a year’s worth of high performance from our office. 

May 2020

The North Miami Brewfest 2019; Update for 2020 event    

What began as a project led by hospitality management students at the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, evolved into a one-day festival showcasing the most unique brews from the best breweries in South Florida. Passionate top industry experts and faculty enlighten the public with the science behind brewing in educational seminars, while carefully crafted food and beer pairings offer an elevated twist to their experience. The North Miami (Nomi) BrewFest continues on its mission to celebrate innovation in the craft brew industry, brewpubs and home brew organizations while supporting the Brewing Science Program at the FIU Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management Brewing. The 2020 BrewFest has been postponed until November of 2021.  

March 2020

The Central Reservation Office   

The Central Reservation Office was created out of demand for management of a system where members of our community could enjoy our campus and all of its facilities. In contribution with the AED administration, Phase I of the project created an Event Management System (EMS) for internal and external users of the University to be able to reserve venues at FIU locations in South Florida and Washington DC. Event support is provided for private events, professional meetings, performances exhibits, and more. Phase II of this project will onboard further non-academic locations.  

March 2020

National Forensic Science Technology Center (NFSTC)  

The National Forensic Science Technology Center (NFSTC) is a non-profit organization focused on improving the quality and consistency of forensic sciences in crime laboratories. In 2018, the NFSTC was acquired and joined the Global Forensic and Justice Center, an FIU program where it collaborates with law enforcement, military professionals, and laboratories to provide new forensic research, technology, practices and solutions across all forensic disciplines. Projects are supported through grants from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, and the US Dept. of Justice.  

March 2020

Possum Trot 

A field site recently acquired as a donation to FIU, Possum Trot is a 30-acre farm located in Redland, Florida with 22 acres of rare tropical fruit trees and plants designated towards agricultural and ecological research for the FIU Agroecology Program. Experimental learning through workshops, classes and training will serve to educate the farming community in responding to challenges of ecological and social sustainability as well as addressing food security challenges. Biological testing on diseases for a Tropical Plants Natural Products Library and plant genetic conservation will align with the International Center of Tropical Botany, Biomolecular Sciences Institute and the College of Arts, Sciences & Education as a whole.  

March 2020

Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies 

Aligning with its status as a Carnegie “R1” top-tier research university, FIU has acquired the Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies located in Port St. Lucie, Florida as a special purpose center to advance medicinal chemical and chemical biological research. The state-of-the-art research facility provides FIU with wet laboratories, a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance laboratory, vivarium, and auditorium to lead efforts in discovering cures for neurodegenerative diseases such as brain cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, ALS, and Parkinson’s disease. An allocated $5 million over the course of a decade will cover maintenance on the building with additional plans to increase the number of research teams from 4 to 18 within three years in hopes of increasing grant funding from $2.2 million to $18 million annually.  

March 2020

 $5M from Miami Dade County to FIU for Relief Fund (and United Way)

After the initial funding round served SOBEWFF participants, a $5 million grant from the County, as part of the Miami-Dade County Business Grant Program and provided by Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez is earmarked to be distributed to eligible hospitality employees of eligible businesses. The disbursements will be processed with the help of the United Way of Miami-Dade.  

March 2020

FIU Chaplin School Hospitality Industry Relief Fund 

In March of 2020, the Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One (SOBEWFF®) recognized the strain on its celebrated local hospitality community brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The SOBEWFF® & FIU Chaplin School Hospitality Industry Relief Fund was initiated to grant more than $1.6 million for rapid support of over 500 independently owned and operated restaurants and bars severely impacted by mandatory closures and reduced business in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach county. Funds enabled business owners to compensate employees and cover expenses incurred as of March 1, 2020. Additional donations collected will fund future rounds of local relief efforts.   

March 2020

Parkview II Housing Facility 

Designated to be the tallest building in the Modesto A. Maidique campus and approved by the Florida Board of Governors on March 25th, 2020, the charismatically nicknamed Parkview II student residential high rise is scheduled to open by Fall 2022. Towering a total of 13 stories, the contemporary design will allow for views of the Miami skyline and the Everglades to the 700 upperclassmen that will occupy its bedrooms and studios. The $87.5M million project will be funded through revenue bonds based on projected income while averting increases to student’s tuition and fees. 

February 2020

The 19th Annual Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival 

With a total of 31.8 million raised to date for the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University (FIU), the Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One (SOBEWFF®) continues its legacy as one of America’s most prestigious culinary showcasing. Over 1,200 student volunteers support festival organizers in areas of logistics, inventory, sponsorship fulfillment and restaurant and exhibitor recruitment to execute over 110 events including seated dinners, tastings, bashes, cooking classes and more. World renowned chefs, culinary personalities, and wine and spirit producers entertain the more than 65,000 guests in the five-day destination full of spirits, food, and fun. The 20th annual festival will take place May 20 – 23, 2021.

April 2019

FIU Hotel, Conference Center, and Alumni Center 

Florida International University continues to ground its roots in the city of Sweetwater towards its mission to remain ‘Worlds ahead.’ Recently approved by the Florida Board of Governors, it will be first university in South Florida to build a privately funded $66 million university-affiliated hotel and conference center. This new facility will host academic, research, and professional conferences that will serve to establish relationships between the FIU community and outer institutions and organizations. Our eager students will have valuable opportunities to seek mentorships, employment, or pursue networking and leadership development translating into industry related experience. An influx of visitors will boost local businesses creating a labor demand for newly created jobs. The FIU Hotel, Conference Center, and Alumni Center, set to be located on the northwest corner of campus near the recreation fields and the Florida Turnpike, is scheduled for completion in Fall of 2021.

February 2019

The 3rd annual Brew Miami — Craft Beer & Food Pairing Festival

Brought to you by Florida International University staff members in collaboration with Miami Brewers Alliance, a non-profit organization of brewers educating consumers and supporting start-Ups, Brew Miami finishes its third year successfully quenching the thirst of beer lovers and pleasuring the taste buds of foodies alike. Highlighting dozens of the most distinctive local breweries, recognized restaurants and charming food trucks, the event works to spur public excitement and stimulate growth in the craft beer industry. A care-free ambiance with promising a good time keeps spectators intrigued as the festival has become a crowd favorite with the anticipation building for the next year’s Brew Miami. All proceeds gathered from Brew Miami partially benefit the United Way.

November 2018

The 2nd annual North Miami Brewfest — Learn, Brew, Taste.

North Miami BrewFest is a one-day beer festival, which just took place on Saturday November 10th, featuring some of the best craft breweries and their one-of-a-kind beers. Its mission is to help continue to influence brewing science education and innovation for the craft beer industry, brewpubs, and homebrew organizations. The event includes several educational seminars delivered by faculty and top industry experts who share unparalleled expertise and passion for beer brewing and the science behind it. NoMi BrewFest began as a student project, led by hospitality management students at the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University. Proceeds from the North Miami Brewfest support the FIU Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management and its Brewing Science program.  

January 2018

The 17th annual Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival

The 17th annual Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF®) returns to EAT. DRINK. EDUCATE. February 21 – 25, 2018. Widely recognized as one of America’s most prestigious gourmet gatherings, the Festival attracts more than 65,000 guests annually and has raised more than $26 million to date for the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University (FIU). More than 1,200 students assist Festival organizers with sponsorship fulfillment, restaurant and exhibitor recruitment, logistics, and inventory as well as working alongside some of the world’s greatest celebrity chefs and winemakers. Next year’s edition will feature more than 90 events, including signature fan-favorite soirées, an array of new parties and intimate dining experiences, an expanded CRAVE Greater Fort Lauderdale Series, and much more. In September 2017, BizBash named the Festival the #1 Food & Restaurant Industry event in the United States for the fifth year in a row.