WorldCity Business Magazine

Publisher's Note

by Ian McCluskey

Commemorating a Milestone and Raising the Bar.

We have plenty to celebrate. Not only does this special edition trumpet the start of WorldCity Business’ 10th year, it also establishes some high-water marks for the publication.

With 98 pages, it is our largest issue ever. It is also the first time that we have printed the magazine with a rectangular spine or “perfect binding”. And it marks the first time that WorldCity Business has been chosen to take part in an exclusive global ad campaign.

The ad, on pages 4-5, was placed by Resources Global Professionals, a professional services firm with 80 offices worldwide. RGP was recently listed in our Who’s Here database, becoming the 1,241st multinational company with a presence in South Florida (see page 92).

The ad campaign, in this case paying tribute to South Florida’s own Burger King Corp., appears in leading business publications in North America and Europe—Forbes, The Economist, CFO, Corporate Board Member, Internal Auditor, Supply Chain Management Review, Financial Director, Enjeux Les Echos and, now, WorldCity Business. That’s select company.

Another first: This issue includes a novel advertising flair in the form of a bookmark, from the Latin American division of IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group), which is also celebrating a milestone, its 60th anniversary.

IHG is not the only advertiser in a festive spirit. FIU’s College of Business Administration celebrates the 10th year of its top-ranked Executive MBA program. Coral Gables consulting firm Auxis celebrates its 10th year, while law firm Akerman Senterfitt celebrates its 25th.

Finally, this special anniversary issue marks the first time that WorldCity Business has filled almost an entire issue with the opinions of top business and civic leaders.

Rather than beat our chest about South Florida’s attributes and its accomplishments over the past decade, editor Suzy Valentine decided, instead, to look ahead at the challenges South Florida faces and the deficiencies it needs to overcome. She asked business leaders to reflect on what it will take for Miami to become a truly world-class city, to complete on a par with other international gateways such Singapore, Hong Kong and Dubai.

The reaction was overwhelming. We received contributions from dozens of business owners, CEOs of multinational companies, college deans and other leading professionals. The result, a kaleidoscope of critiques, recommendations and reflections, is presented in the pages that follow.

Clearly, there is much that needs to be done for Miami to become a top-tier “world city”, but there is also broad agreement that South Florida is uniquely blessed by geography, climate and a multicultural dynamism that is almost unmatched anywhere.

WorldCity Business looks forward to chronicling the next 10 years, as South Florida continues to fulfill its promise as a gateway city, a global business hub, a tourist Mecca, a cultural and entertainment capital, and a beacon of diversity.

Contact: imccluskey@worldcityweb.com