A 75TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF EVERGLADES FLAMINGO NATIONAL PARK

The Everglades National Park was dedicated on December 6, 1947, by President Harry S. Truman after a historic speech. To celebrate its 75th year, the National Park Service held a rededication ceremony at Flamingo that welcomed major stakeholders, honored key historical figures, hosted live music, and featured the grand reopening of the freshly renovated Guy Bradley Visitor Center.

The event was also a celebration of the partnership between the federal government and many of the sovereign tribes that originated in these areas. “It’s a very good partnership and collaboration, which is not always the case with tribal nations and federal government land,” says Nico Foris, CEO.

“It’s a true success story because these different organizations are beating to the same drum. Everyone involved wants to see the same thing; the preservation of this amazing National Park.”

The Guest Services Footprint

As operators at the Everglades, our impact comes in the form of bringing smiles to visitors’ faces, enhancing the already incredible experience, and doing our part to maintain the lands with sustainable operations. We look forward to building on this one-of-a-kind customer journey and the grand opening of our 24 new cottages and a more than 4,000 square-foot restaurant in 2023.

“Flamingo has been virtually dormant since the early 2000s because of hurricanes. We started here in 2018, so to see how much it has evolved and to be a part of the restoration process has been a great honor,” says Laura Sherman, Vice President of Hospitality.

“While the festivities for the Anniversary happened in Flamingo, this event is a celebration of all of Everglades National Park, which includes our Everglades Florida Adventures property in Everglades City, as well as a property we are soon to announce.”

Those in attendance included:

• Pedro Ramos, Superintendent of Everglades National Park

• Shannon Estenoz, Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, U.S. Department of the Interior

• Talbert Cypress, Chairman, Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida

• Tina Osceola, Director, Tribal Historic Preservation Office, Seminole Tribe of Florida

• Debbie Wasserman Schultz, U.S. House of Representatives

• Daniella Levine Cava, Mayor of Miami-Dade County

• Shawn Hamilton, Secretary of Florida Department of Environmental Protection

• Chauncey Gross, Board Chairman, South Florida Water Management District

• Colonel James L. Booth, District Commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District

• Eric Sutton, Executive Director, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

• Chris Wittman, Co-Founder, Captains for Clean Water

• Fran Mainella, Former 16th Director of the National Park Service

Guest Services’ representatives present included:

• Nico Foris, Chief Executive Officer

• Laura Sherman, Vice President Hospitality Division

• Dan Stoltzfus, Chief Financial Officer

• JJ Condella, General Manager Everglades Flamingo Adventures

• Rob Bates, Corporate Chef

• Derek Nottingham, District Manager

• Jennifer Miller, Director of Revenue Management

• Joe Pereira, National Sales & Marketing Director

• Corporate Marketing Team Members, Ody Hernandez and Veronica Martinez

• Our entire Everglades Flamingo Adventures operations team

The Largest Subtropical Wilderness In The United States

Everglades National Park protects an unparalleled landscape that provides essential habitat for numerous rare and endangered species like the manatee, American crocodile, and the elusive Florida panther. Within this legendary park, Guest Services has the privilege of operating two incredible destinations.

EVERGLADES FLAMINGO ADVENTURES –HOMESTEAD, FLORIDA

Located at the southernmost tip of the Florida peninsula within Everglades National Park, Flamingo Adventures provides beautiful campgrounds, an abundance of recreational activities, and phenomenal views of the largest subtropical wilderness in the nation. Flamingo Adventures is the ONLY place in the USA where you can stay in a houseboat, eco-tent, or both as your one-stop adventure spot.

EVERGLADES FLORIDA ADVENTURES –EVERGLADES CITY, FLORIDA

Everglades Florida Adventures offers tours so visitors can see a variety of birds, manatees, dolphins, and other wildlife native to Florida. Whether you go on your own in one of our canoes or kayaks or join our guides, the beautiful and mysterious Everglades nature will reward you with its treasures.

EVERGLADES MANGROVE ADVENTURES –EVERGLADES CITY, FLORIDA

This exciting new Everglades property is now not only Guest Services operated but also Guest Services owned. It features a visitor center, a massive tower for tall views, and will eventually offer many of our recreation products.