We were lucky to catch up with Marshall Steingold recently and have shared our conversation below.
What was your path that led you to where you are now in business?
When I attended college at the University of Miami, I was Editor-in-Chief of the Miami Hurricane newspaper. I honed my writing and public relations skills there.
My first job after college was Director of Public Relations for Dania Jai-Alai in Florida and Milford Jai-Alai in Connecticut.
I worked with radio, television, newspaper, and the beginning of cable tv. I was in charge of introducing the jai-alai players to the media.
From there, I was hired as Marketing Specialist at the Tourism Bureau of Miami (now the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau.)
I helped coordinate ABC TV’s Superstars television show on Key Biscayne. I also worked closely with the Coconut Grove hotels which led to my forming Coconut Grove Marketing representing hotels, restaurants, and merchants.
We produced the first Coconut Grove Magazine, Taste of the Grove Restaurant Festival, Coconut Grove Waiters’ Race, numerous advertising and marketing campaigns, giving the Grove the prominence it has today.
The Coconut Grove Map and Guide was conceived and first published inn 1984. Coconut Grove is the first of seven map guides we started. It’s still helping visitors and residents find their way through all the
Grove has to offer.
What advice do you have for someone starting off in your line of work?
Start at the beginning. It’s easy to say, but it takes a long time to form relationships that will help you get to where you want to be. Join the local Chamber of Commerce, business organizations and professional groups.
Go to the early morning BNI meetings and the happy hour Chamber get togethers. Join the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau! Meet as many people as you can and exchange contacts. These people will inevitably become your friends and helpful professionals to get you started in business. Do NOT underestimate this. The time spent talking to someone and spending time face-to-face instead of on the computer or on your phone – will pay deep dividends.
What is the hardest part about your business?
The hardest part for me is that there’s so much to do. I’m always ready for the next challenge. You need to embrace everything new as it can become a huge part of your business. Websites, Social Media, APPs and even smart phones were not around twenty years ago, butt they are all an integral part of business and communication we do on a daily basis today!
How have things changed throughout the years – and how have you adapted to that change?
Hotels, especially high-end ones, are still the backbone of visitor information. A visiting couple checking into a hotel in Miami from out-of-town will research where to eat, sightsee, and shop on their smartphones. They will search select APPs for reviews. They cross-check with Google. Then, an amazing thing happens. When they go to the lobby, they ask the concierge or front desk manager, “What do you recommend?” That’s where Miami Maps comes in.
We print and distribute 75,000 copies of each Map. When they end up in the hands of a visitor, the hotel has done their job. When the visitor returns to the hotel, they will thank the concierge for the recommendation. That’s how it works. Information is the key. People arrive at the front desk with their laptops over their shoulders, iPads, and cell phones, yet, they ask for information from the source, the people who live here – and they receive our Miami Maps to the area.
How many clients do you have currently – what demographic areas?
Miami Maps works with approximately 125 clients annually who are all represented in the maps, website, and social media. We currently produce maps for seven cities in South Florida: Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, Key Biscayne and Brickell, City of Doral, Lincoln Road, Palmetto Bay and Cutler Bay. We have maps for other cities in the works!
How does the economy affect your business?
Immensely. Very few business are not affected by the economy. We are very fortunate to be living and working in Miami. Our destination is sought after by regional, national and International visitors. Hotel occupancy fluctuates, but Miami always maintains a steady stream of visitors. Locals want to know what’s new in their neighborhood. Miami Maps are there to showcase the small merchant, restaurant, health care, hotels and attractions.
What is the most enjoyable/rewarding part of your business?
Knowing that Miami Maps is serving an important need – to connect people with money to spend – and spend it in one of our featured businesses.
It is rewarding and humbling to be known as the go-to publication for information. After many years, Miami Maps has carved out a niche in the community. We are very proud of that!
What’s in store for the future? Where so you see yourself and MiamiMaps in five years?
The future will bring new ways to reach people and opportunities to embrace them. Social media is advancing. ChatGPT and A.I. will become more important.
Miami Maps will embrace the changing landscape and navigate business for our clients.
Contact information:
- Website: WWW.MiamiMaps.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miamimaps1
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miamimaps/
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