We are delighted to announce the successful Grand Opening Celebration and Ribbon Cutting-Ceremony of the new Flamingo Lodge and the Guy Bradley Visitor Center in Everglades National Park, which took place on Friday, October 27, 2023. This event marked a pivotal moment in the park’s history, unveiling these exceptional new facilities to the public.

Here, Laura Sherman, Vice President of the Hospitality Division, shares her thoughts before the grand opening, highlighting the excitement and significance of this landmark event.

The ceremony, attended by Guest Services, Inc. executives and National Park Service officials, was an excellent event. It featured esteemed speakers who shared their insights and perspectives on the significance of this milestone. Among the notable speakers were Pedro Ramos, Superintendent of Everglades and Dry Tortugas National Parks; Shannon Estenoz, Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, U.S. Department of the Interior; and Mark Foust, Regional Director of South Atlantic-Gulf, National Park Service. Their presence and valuable contributions added to the event’s significance and underscored the importance of preserving our natural heritage.

Other esteemed speakers included Roger Young, Executive Director of MyFWC Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; Fran Mainella, Board Chair of The Alliance for Florida’s National Parks and former Director of the National Park Service; Alissa Robinson-Byers, Director of Foundation Relations at the National Park Foundation; Jessica Pierce, Executive Director of Florida National Parks Association; Cara Capp, Everglades Restoration Senior Program Manager, National Parks Conservation Association; and Nico Foris, Chief Executive Officer of Guest Services, Inc. Flamingo Everglades.

The day was filled with various activities, including guided tours, ranger programs, and a reception. Another major highlight was the dedication of the Guy Bradley Visitor Center, named in honor of the first Audubon game warden, Guy Bradley, a key figure in wildlife conservation.

Attendees enjoyed an exclusive first look at the Flamingo Lodge. The lodge opened to the public on November 1 and offers a unique opportunity to immerse in the beauty of the Everglades with modern amenities. It promises to be a prime destination for nature lovers and adventurers for many years to come.

In this segment, Laura Sherman discusses Media Day, providing insights into the event’s impact and the lodge’s potential to attract visitors and media attention.

We extend our gratitude to everyone who participated and made this event memorable. For those interested in experiencing the Flamingo Lodge, reservations are now open. Additionally, the National Park Service website provides detailed information for planning a visit to the Guy Bradley Visitor Center.

We eagerly await welcoming you to the Flamingo Everglades to explore the wonders of this awe-inspiring national park.

In June 2022, the Guest Services team celebrated a ribbon-cutting event in honor of the grand opening of the brand new Doho Cafe at Doheny State Beach in California. In attendance were Joe Muller, Dana Point Mayor; Scott Kibbey, California State Parks Superintendent; Orkun Baydar, the cafe’s General Manager; Mike Lutz, the cafe’s Executive Chef; and many other team members and locals.

As the only on-the-beach café in Southern California, Doho Cafe is an exceptionally unique spot for guests to grab breakfast, lunch, or a cold beverage while enjoying its gorgeous location.

Learn more about this exciting new Guest Services managed location at their website.

Congratulations to the team for a successful launch!

Congratulations to Nico for his recent appointment as CEO! His new position is a reflection of his contributions and achievements at Guest Services for the past ten years.

“I’m grateful to my predecessor, Gerry Gabrys… Working alongside him has taught me so much both personally and professionally, and I am grateful for the confidence he and the Board of Trustees have placed in me,” he says.

As Nico prepares to lead us into a new era for Guest Services, he has a comprehensive list of exciting priorities, initiatives, projects, and business opportunities.

Hear a quick summary of what Nico’s looking forward to on the horizon (0:48) 

“The responsibility of leading such a storied institution is great, but I am excited and determined to take on these challenges with the support of our incredible team.”

Hear how the executive team looks to provide operations support in the new year (0:37) 

Social Responsibility

We are committed to maintaining, strengthening, and elevating our social responsibilities and awareness – 1) to all employees through new and various Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives and 2) to our partners and communities through our sustainability efforts.

Property Visits

One of Nico’s highest personal priorities is to visit properties as often as possible. Seeing the organization’s incredible reach and meeting our diverse team members in person is one of the greatest strategies for staying in tune with what the company, and its community, need.

Nico discusses some of his personal priorities in his new role as CEO (1:05)