Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Certonio.
Hi Mark, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Focusing my work on creating unique and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. I am an established event director in South Florida, since 2009, representing 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.
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.
I have been in the industry for more than 40 years. Served as the director of catering for the New York Marriott Marquis from 1995 to 2000 as the youngest director to ever serve in this position. I have also taught at the Centre De Management Hôtelier International in France, 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 pursued an education in my home state at the University of Utah in architectural engineering in 1984. I have also received certification as a meeting professional.
To remain aware of developments in my field, 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 attribute much of my success to my work ethic and commitment to the industry.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I like to think of myself as an overachiever, always learning about the history of food, art culture and wine. As I learn more it seems to get easier as I like to share my experiences with other people.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I mentioned I like to share my experiences. Traveling is one of the most satisfying, as it brings in all of my passions. Tasting the food, learning about the history, viewing the art! Once my thoughts are in my head, I share them by photographs, creating events that educate the public.
I am proud of designing experiences that people not only love, but learn.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I always surround myself with people that have expertise, where I lack, I learn.
I have a friend that is moving to Oaxaca, Mexico, the culinary capital, she is my next mentor.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://certonio.com/casa
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.certonio
