The Culinary Forum at Guest Services, Inc. is set to embark on an ambitious journey in 2025, building on the successes of 2024. Under the leadership of Russell Baratz, the Culinary Forum is poised to continue fostering collaboration, innovation, and diversity among the talented chefs across the company. Thank you to all who have participated and contributed to making this a powerful initiative for our team members.

Reflecting on Last Year’s Successes

2024 was a banner year for the Culinary Forum, filled with milestones showcasing our culinary community’s creativity, talent, and collaboration. Among the many achievements were:

Signature Pineapple Recipe Contest

• Chefs from across the company participated in a thrilling culinary showcase.
• “The contest not only highlighted the creativity and skills of our chefs but also brought the community together in a celebration of food and camaraderie,” shared Russell Baratz.
• The standout dish, Tostadas Locas, gained widespread acclaim for its innovative flavor combinations and stunning presentation.

Quarterly Culinary Forum Contests

• These recurring contests encouraged chefs to create themed menus, with winners receiving a $100 gift card and recognition in the Insider newsletter.
• The contests fostered creativity, innovation, and engagement across the culinary community.

DC Food Fight

• Guest Services chefs contributed to an event that raised over $13 million to benefit DC Central Kitchen.
• “This event showcased the talent within our culinary community while supporting a vital cause,” emphasized Baratz.

Diverse Culinary Participation

• Chefs from different regions brought unique culinary styles and cultural influences to the table, resulting in an array of innovative dishes.
• Events fostered collaboration and learning, providing opportunities for chefs to share techniques and enhance their creativity.

Fostering Camaraderie and Community

• Culinary events strengthened professional networks, creating a supportive community among chefs.
• The competitive atmosphere motivated chefs to push boundaries, leading to high-quality, inventive recipes.

Looking Ahead: Plans for 2025

The Culinary Forum’s vision for 2025 focuses on elevating every aspect of the program. Baratz outlined several key initiatives:

• Collaboration and Community: New projects and events will encourage chefs to work together, fostering a culture of knowledge sharing and collective growth.
• Training and Development: Monthly workshops will help chefs refine their skills and stay ahead of culinary trends.
• Innovation and Creativity: Signature contests, like the Pineapple Recipe Contest, will challenge chefs to push boundaries and set new culinary trends.
• Celebrating Diversity: Chefs will explore global flavors, enriching the company’s culinary offerings and broadening its appeal.

Baratz highlighted the importance of these initiatives in continuing to build a sense of camaraderie: “By encouraging collaboration and creativity, we’re setting a high standard for innovation and excellence in 2025.”

With a strong foundation laid in 2024, the Culinary Forum is poised to make 2025 its most impactful year yet. Baratz emphasized the role of participation and collaboration in driving the program forward: “We’re creating opportunities for professional development, recognition, and culinary excellence that elevate our chefs and the organization as a whole.”

Guest Services is excited to see how the Culinary Forum will continue to innovate, inspire, and engage its talented community of chefs.

At Flamingo Everglades, sustainability is not just a goal—it’s a commitment to protecting the breathtaking natural environment that surrounds the park. In line with this dedication, Flamingo Everglades is proud to announce our recent registration with Green Key Global, an internationally recognized certification program for sustainable operations in the hospitality industry.

What Is Green Key Global?

Green Key Global is a leading environmental certification body that works with hospitality properties to enhance sustainable practices. By joining this program through the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB), Flamingo Everglades is taking another major step in reducing our environmental footprint. Thanks to GMCVB’s partnership, we are empowered to advance our green initiatives with greater focus and efficiency.

The certification process involves:

1. Self-Assessment: Evaluating our property’s current sustainability practices.
2. On-Site QA Inspection: A Green Key Global representative will conduct a detailed assessment to verify compliance with sustainability standards.
3. Certification: Upon successful completion, Flamingo Everglades will receive official Green Key Global certification.

As a token of appreciation for joining the program, Green Key Global has planted a tree on behalf of Flamingo Everglades—a gesture that symbolizes the start of a greener future.

Beyond Green Key: Additional Sustainability Efforts

Our sustainability journey doesn’t stop with Green Key Global. Flamingo Everglades is also a proud participant in Clean the World, an Orlando-based initiative that recycles used guest soaps and plastic amenity cartridges. These materials are repurposed into hygiene products for communities in need, reducing waste while supporting global health efforts. This partnership highlights our commitment to both environmental sustainability and social responsibility.

Why This Matters

As stewards of the Everglades’ unique ecosystem, these initiatives reflect our dedication to preserving the natural beauty and biodiversity of the region. By embracing innovative sustainability programs like Green Key Global and Clean the World, Flamingo Everglades not only enhances its environmental efforts but also sets an example for the hospitality industry.

Bradley Rowland, Sales Manager for Flamingo Everglades, shared his excitement about these initiatives, “This program is a great step forward for us. Being able to showcase our Green Key Global certification will help us further connect with eco-conscious travelers and demonstrate our commitment to sustainability. And the fact that they planted a tree for us—it’s a small but meaningful symbol of what we’re working toward.”

Looking Ahead

The road to sustainability is ongoing, and Flamingo Everglades is proud to lead the way. As we move through the certification process with Green Key Global and continue working with Clean the World, we remain committed to reducing our environmental impact and enhancing our guests’ experience. These efforts ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy the beauty and wonder of the Everglades for years to come.

Thank you to Bradley Rowland and the entire Flamingo Everglades team for driving these initiatives forward and helping us make a lasting impact.

The National Mall is more than just a collection of iconic landmarks—it’s a living, breathing part of American history, visited by millions every year. At the heart of this experience are our dedicated Guest Services, Inc. kiosk team members, who serve visitors with enthusiasm, professionalism, and a personal touch that creates unforgettable memories.

To honor their incredible contributions, we invited our kiosk team members to share their most memorable moments working on the National Mall. Their stories offer a glimpse into the history they’ve witnessed, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the pride they take in being part of this extraordinary place.

The National Mall: A Place Like No Other

Did you know that the National Mall attracts more than 25 million visitors annually? That’s more than Yellowstone, Yosemite, and the Grand Canyon combined. Spanning over 300 acres with 9,000 trees and 26 miles of pedestrian sidewalks, it’s a monumental space that serves as a hub for history, culture, and recreation.

Guest Services, Inc. has played an essential role in enhancing the visitor experience for decades, serving about 1 million annually and over 40 million guests since we began operations. Our kiosks provide refreshments, gifts, and smiles to tourists from all over the world.

Team Member Stories: The Heart of the Mall

Tiffany Harper – Lincoln Food

“I had the pleasure of working the day of the 60th Anniversary of the ‘I Have a Dream’ speech, which brought out Al Sharpton and a lot of African American Frat Brothers and Political Leaders, and it was such an honor to be a part of that history. I also had the pleasure of working Barack Obama’s Inauguration.”

Brenda Wimbush – Manager Natural History

“It was freezing cold during President Ronald Reagan and the first President Barack Obama Inauguration, and it was such a pleasure to be able to be working during history having the first African American President. Also, I had the pleasure of working at various events such as The Black Family Reunion, Folklife Festival, in which I had to run the most successful BBQ and Lemonade Tent.”

Paulette Lassiter – District Manager

“It was such an amazing experience to work in the VIP tents at The National Lighting of the Christmas Tree for President Barack Obama, and I was able to meet so many singers and movie stars ranging from Baby Face, James Taylor, Trisha Yearwood, and Tom Hanks, just to name a few. But the best moment of them all was when I met the entire Dallas Cowboys Football Team along with Jerry Jones at the Lincoln Memorial.”

Stacey Turner – Jefferson Food

“My memorable moment on the National Mall was in 2000 working the Americans Millennium with President Bill Clinton, and it was a star-studded affair, and I remember it like it was yesterday. It was so cold, and when we finished working, it was about eight of us on a golf cart with Ms. Paulette, and we almost flipped over. But the most memorable event was always July 4th and the wonderful fireworks.”

Pauline Akinbowale – American History

“I was so excited to witness the opening of The National Museum of African American History and Culture. It was so wonderful seeing this museum representing our culture.”

Ruth Riddick – Lincoln South Retail

“After joining Guest Services Inc. in November 1997, we opened The Peace Corps Store. On September 15, 1998, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Arnold Schwarzenegger and his wife, Maria Shriver, along with Queen Noor of Jordan attended the dedication of The New Peace Corps Headquarters here in Washington, DC. Guest Services managed The Gift Shop inside the headquarters. On that day, all of the volunteers were so excited to see Arnold, and his presence overshadowed The Queen and President Clinton. After the ceremony, Mr. Clinton came into the Gift Shop to purchase some items, and all of the reporters wanted to know what he purchased. Of course, we couldn’t say.”

Seble Seyum – Jefferson Food

“In 2013, at the 50th Anniversary of MLK Jr.’s ‘I Have a Dream’ speech celebration, we had a pass to access the secured areas. We met and saw numerous celebrities, but Oprah Winfrey’s was the most memorable. I asked her if I can get a hug, and she agreed and gave me a huge hug. Melaku was able to capture some pictures. Then her security people surrounded her and rushed her away. And then I became the celebrity—strangers were hugging me left and right and asked to share the pictures I took with her.”

*Take a closer look at the unforgettable moments captured on the National Mall! One photo features Paulette Lassiter, District Manager, alongside Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, while another highlights the Cowboys team during their visit to this iconic landmark.

A Legacy of Service and History

These stories are just a glimpse into the incredible experiences our team has had over the years. From serving during presidential inaugurations to meeting world-famous celebrities, our kiosk employees have been on the frontlines of history while providing exceptional service to millions of visitors.

Their dedication reflects the mission of Guest Services, Inc. and ensures that every visitor’s trip to the National Mall is memorable. Thank you to all of our employees for your hard work, passion, and commitment.