We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mark Certonio a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Mark, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Too often the media represents innovation as something magical that only high-flying tech billionaires and upstarts engage in – but the truth is almost every business owner has to regularly innovate in small and big ways in order for their businesses to survive and thrive. Can you share a story that highlights something innovative you’ve done over the course of your career?

Creating the Key West Food and Wine Festival over 15 years ago.

It was an idea then, after going to a few of the big festivals, I realized it was time.

We are different by design, our venues are small and historical. We have beautiful weather in the winter and we have the freshest local catch. Our events are intimate and educational and always working with our local talent.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Focusing my work on creating unique and once-in-a-lifetime experiences, I am known for my expertise as an established event director in South Florida. Since 2009, I have represented Key West Food & Wine Festival as the director of events and co-founder, an annual event that takes place each year in late January in Key West.

Additionally, I have served as the director of event management for Dolce Events & Marketing since 2015, an organization that produces the Key West Food and Wine Festival, Mango Fest Key West, Key West Rum Festival, Dartmouth College Reunion and many other events.

My extensive background has included organizing more than 50 annual events, primarily in the food and beverage sector. These events require considerable planning, from conceptualization to creating and executing these events. I also coordinate with various teams, vendors, and volunteers. I also have a lot of ticketing, website management, marketing, and media expertise, which all contribute to the success of these events. Looking toward the future, I aim to continue producing world-class, high-quality events as one of the most recognized festivals in the country.

Apart from my vested interests in events management, I have been the proprietor of Lush Bar in Key West, a wine bar, coffee shop, and café, in 2011, which notably offered educational classes and training about wine and chocolate.

I have been in the industry for more than 40 years. I served as the director of catering for the New York Marriott Marquis from 1995 to 2000 as the youngest director to ever serve in his position. I subsequently taught at the Centre De Management Hôtelier International in Paris, was an international director of sales for Meeting Matrix International in Brussels, Belgium, a hospitality software company through which I sold software to major European hotels for ballrooms and catering spaces, and was a fine dining general manager in the U.S. at Café Marquesa and Latitudes on Sunset Key.

Civically, I have served as a member and former board of directors for the Key West Business Guild and a former board member of the Old Island Restoration Foundation. I am also a gallery consultant at the Audubon House & Tropical Gardens Fine Art gallery. Moreover, I have lent my time as an organizer for The Mango Festival to support the Key West Police Athletic League, raising funds for afterschool programs for children.

I have pursued an education in my home state at the University of Utah, receiving an associate’s degree in architectural engineering in 1984. He also received certification as a meeting professional.

To remain aware of developments in my field, Mr. Certonio is a member of the South Florida chapter of the American Institute of Wine and Food. In light of my accomplishments, I have been recognized numerous times for my festivals, most notably as the #1 Best Wine Festival in the USA by USA Today and as the Best Food and Wine Festival in 2022 by LUXlife Magazine, and many more accolades. I have attribute much of his success to my work ethic and commitment to the industry.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

The Key West Food & Wine Festival has grown over 15 years with a solid repeat clientel. We focus on excellence at every event and make sure the guest experience is perfect.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Our existing customer base bring new people each year and they become repeat guests.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://keywestfoodandwinefestival.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keywestfoodwinefestival/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keywestfoodandwinefestival/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-certonio/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCewWPtwbU6B–_1GIaTbBYw?view_as=subscriber