George Neary - Director of Cultural Tourism for the GMCVB

George Neary comes to us from Hartford, Connecticut where his interests in history and preservation originated. He chose Miami Beach as home after being introduced to the Tropics when he was a former Peace Corps Volunteer serving in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines from 1973-75. His next venture would be marked by a stark contrast in weather while working in New York for 20 years. He worked for AFS International/Intercultural Programs. He then worked as Director of US Marketing and Sales.

George moved to Miami Beach to manage Flamingo Terrace Enterprises.

His first big project was Art Deco Weekend 1992. That’s where the very seed of tourism began!

There would be other successes working with Michael Kinerk and Matti Bower, long time chairs overseeing 8 Art Deco Weekends and creating more historic districts for Miami Beach. Miami Beach became a world-wide phenomenon and the number 1 tourist destination.

In 1998 the Greater Miami Convention & Visitor’s Bureau hired George to oversee their heritage and cultural tourism efforts.

He also oversees the Bureau’s gay & lesbian marketing efforts to promote Miami as the premier LGBT destination. George serves on the Board of the Miami Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and The Gay Pride Committee (who plan the largest LGBT event in Miami-Dade, attracting more than 80,000 attendees this past year.) He was a founding Board member of Miami Beach’s Mayor Matti Bower’s LGBT business committee for 2 years. He was awarded the President’s award from the Miami-Dade Gay Chamber, the organization’s highest award.  

He has also been a member of the Miami Beach Chamber since 1993. He has helped developed The Museum Mile, a Chamber/Bureau cultural program involving Miami Beach’s 5 museums; and holds the very first Miami Beach Chamber INcard ever issued.