MAKE MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS
With our growing community of 1.4 million members,
located around the world.
WE TRANSFORM COMMUNITIES
Rotarians invest approximately 47 million volunteer hours every year, into improving the lives of those around them
WE FUND SUSTAINABLE PROJECTS
Rotary awarded $333 million to global service initiatives throughout the 2020 pandemic
Join Us
Rotary Weekly Meeting - July 10, 2024
July 10, 2024 at 12:15 p.m.
Speaker: HEIKO DOBRIKOW
Artificial Intelligence in the Hospitality Industry
We meet at the Global Event Center, 416 NE 1st Street, for the live meeting.
Join us at noon. The meeting will begin at 12:15 pm.
Email [email protected] with questions.
A lunch buffet is provided by Hugh's Catering.
Please note that on Wednesdays during our lunch meetings, we have free parking if you arrive between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
If you arrive after 12:30 p.m., please be sure to pay for the time you need to
avoid getting a ticket.
Click here on Wednesday anytime after 12:00 to participate in the Zoom meeting.
You can also dial in, but you will not see the PowerPoint or video feeds.
To dial in call: 646-558-8656 and use this Meeting ID: 954 424 0731
Password: 275406
Currently, Heiko is the Executive Vice President at the Las Olas Company and the General Manager of the Riverside Hotel, both of which are owned and operated by the Wells Family of Fort Lauderdale. Heiko has worked at beautiful resorts such as the Fisher Island Hotel & Resort in Miami, the Casa Marina Resort in Key West, the Mayfair Hotel & Spa in Coconut Grove, and the Hilton Palm Beach Oceanfront Resort. Heiko believes in community involvement and is the Chair of the Broward Workforce Development Board, Past Board Chair of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, Past President of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association – Broward Chapter, Board Member of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, Past Board Member of the Winterfest Boat Parade, Member of the Broward County Tourism Coalition, Founder & Past Chair of the Greater Fort Lauderdale General Manager’s Council, Founding Member of the South Florida Business Council, and past Executive Committee Member of the Greater Miami & Beaches Hotel Association. He further is actively involved as a member of the Fort Lauderdale Rotary Club, the Rotacyclists Florida, an Ambassador for the Salvation Army, a member of the Patriot Guard Riders, Mission United of Broward County, Broward Partnership for the Homeless and further volunteers as a member of the Fort Lauderdale St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee.
Heiko has been recognized as Top 500 most influential leaders in Florida (Florida Trend), South Florida Business Leader of the Year (Florida Atlantic University) and as a South Florida Power Leader (South Florida Business Journal). Heiko has received numerous awards such as South Florida General Manager of the Year (HSMAI), Chairman’s Gavel Award (GFLCC), Broward’s Best Leaders Award (South Florida Executive magazine), Gay & Lesbian Business Exchange Ally of the Year (GLBX), South Florida’s Tourism Legend of the Year (HSMAI), Tourism Icon of the Year (TravelHost), Homeless Champion of the Year (Broward Partnership of the Homeless), Rotary Cheerleader of the Year (Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale), Top 3 Florida Hotel General Manager of the Year (FRLA), Men of Style Award (Galleria Fort Lauderdale), Downtowner of the Year (GFLCC), “Terry Stiles” South Florida Business Leadership Award (GFLCC), the Apogee Award (SFBW), and most recently the Business Community Ally Award as Business Leader of the Year (GLBX).
Heiko grew up in Germany and came to the U.S. at the age of 17 years old. He graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor in Arts with the desire to becoming Sports Psychologist. However, while studying at KU, he fell in love with the hospitality industry and never looked back.
His hobbies are travelling, motorcycling, off-road adventures in his Jeep, boating, scuba diving, tennis and golf. He is married to his beautiful wife, Elenice, and enjoys the company of his Vizsla “Luke” and his African Grey Parrots, “Malibu” and “Sugar”.
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/zservantleader/
Dan Rizzi
2024-2025 Club President
Club President Letter 2024-25
Dear Rotarians and Friends of Rotary:
I am deeply honored to be entrusted with the role of your 102nd President for the Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale. As we embark on this new year, I stand humbled by the legacy of our esteemed past presidents who, for over a century, have leveraged their knowledge and dedication to build a remarkable organization committed to service.
Rotary International’s Theme: The Magic of Rotary
This year’s theme, “The Magic of Rotary,” compels us to consider the transformative power of our collective efforts. Imagine a world free from polio, with communities empowered to secure clean water, cultivate their own food, and connect via bridges that bring families and education closer. This, my fellow Rotarians, is the magic we create when we unite in service.
The Enduring Impact of the Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale
Locally, the Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale has consistently embodied this spirit. Our enduring impact is evident in a multitude of initiatives, including:
- Partnering with Challenge Air to provide transformative flight experiences for 84 children facing physical and mental challenges, with the invaluable support of 19 pilots, 160 volunteers, and generous sponsors.
- Annually distributing hundreds of toys and gifts to brighten the holidays for underprivileged children and seniors.
- Awarding over $3 million in scholarships to deserving students within the Fort Lauderdale school district.
- Supporting the Wheelchair Foundation, fostering mobility for those in need.
Beyond Service, Building Community
We foster strong bonds within our club through:
- Engaging monthly socials and happy hours, fostering connections and camaraderie.
- Annual events like Thanksgiving baskets, Salvation Army bell ringing, and festive holiday and fall picnics that celebrate the joy of giving and shared experiences.
- Disaster relief efforts whenever communities face hardship.
A Look Forward
While we celebrate our past achievements, we also embrace new initiatives designed to elevate our service and engagement. These include:
- Weekly member introductions, fostering deeper connections within the club.
- Inviting inspiring speakers from the business community to share their expertise.
- Reintroducing the “Teacher of the Year” program, recognizing outstanding contributions within the educational sector.
- Establishing a “Rotarians Honoring Rotarians” program, acknowledging the exceptional contributions of dedicated members throughout their years of service.
Invitation to Serve and Connect
The Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale offers a unique space for individuals who seek to serve their community while forging meaningful connections. Our weekly meetings, held Wednesdays at 12:15 p.m. at the Global Event Center at First Baptist Church in downtown Fort Lauderdale, followed by a social gathering on the last Wednesday of the month at a local venue, provide the perfect opportunity to experience the magic firsthand.
We warmly invite you to join us as a guest. Please feel free to contact us at [email protected]. Together, let’s continue to weave the magic of Rotary, one act of service at a time.
Sincerely,
Daniel Rizzi President 2024-2025
Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale
Volunteer With Us
As we begin our Rotary year, here is a quick reminder of the service projects we have on our schedule so far. We do not have exact dates for everything, but please keep these projects in mind and be on the lookout for more information. If you would like to help with any of these projects, please contact the chair directly. If you have ideas for new projects, please contact Kristin LaFleur or St. George Guardabassi.
- Find Your Way Home – Jorg Hruschka – Select Tuesdays and Thursdays
- Holiday Toy Drive – Linda Cooke – October – December
- Thanksgiving Baskets – Steve Botkin – November
- Salvation Army Bell Ringing – Steve Botkin – December
- Challenge Air – Dan Rizzi – January 2025
- Agape Love Breakfast – Gail Auguston-Koppen – February
Rotarians In Action