About Us | History & Mission | Our Challenge | Facing the Challenge

History & Mission
The Visitor Industry Human Resource Development Council (VIC) is a non-profit 501© 3 organization established in 1991 by the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) to promote educational opportunities, training, and workforce skills for underrepresented populations in the Hospitality Industry in Greater Miami and The Beaches. The history of the VIC began in 1990 when Greater Miami and the Beaches faced the challenges of a Black tourism boycott. Spurred by the snubbing of visitor South African anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela by local political leaders, the boycott would last 33-months and end with a 20-point program to boost the role of African Americans in the local visitor industry. Over the past 16 years GMCVB has provided VIC with more than 3.5 million in operational support, staff, and resources to assist with carrying out its mission. The relationship between VIC and GMCVB provides strong support from the local visitor industry and corporate community. These resources have facilitated a long impressive list of accomplishments. GMCVB and industry partners established the VIC Minority Scholarship Endowment at Florida International University that is valued at over $441,496.40. Each year GMCVB helps sponsor the Hospitality Open Golf Tournament (HOT Challenge) and Silent Auction annually to benefit the VIC scholarship program. May 31, 2007 event marked the tournament’s 16th annual challenge that raised over $131,000 due to more than 200 corporate and community partnerships.