Albert Garcia (Opening Remarks)
Albert Garcia is the Managing Principal of Wynwood Ventures and is also Chairman and Co-Founder of the Wynwood Business Improvement District (BID), an autonomous government agency created in 2013 that leads the renaissance of the Wynwood Arts District in Miami, Florida. For over 30 years, Albert and his family have been commercial property and business owners focused on the betterment of the communities they serve.
He has been a driving force behind Wynwood’s transformation from blighted industrial area to a world-renowned business, cultural, educational, residential, and retail destination that’s now home to one of the largest collections of public street art murals in the world. Albert has received numerous accolades for spearheading a wide-ranging slate of public policy, marketing and economic development initiatives. In the past decade, Wynwood’s revitalization efforts resulted in 5,000+ new jobs, 4.2 million annual visitors (3,400% increase) and over $500,000,000 in local spending for the South Florida economy.
Previously, Albert was Chief Operating Officer of an international apparel company managing global operations across five continents. Prior to that, he was an agent at the William Morris Endeavor talent agency procuring opportunities for clients across television, motion pictures and digital media where he also formulated and implemented entertainment-based content strategies for several of the world’s leading consumer brands. He began his professional career at NBCUniversal.
He is an avid enthusiast of emerging technologies, smart cities, and initiatives that foster sustainable, pedestrian-oriented, urban neighborhoods. Harnessing his international business and public policy background, Albert focuses on driving growth in public and private sectors that operate in highly regulated environments. In his spare time, he mentors startup entrepreneurs and advises private equity managers in strategy, regulatory issues, technology policy and global supply chain management.
Albert attended the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and the University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida. He currently resides with his family in Miami Beach, Florida.
Chairman & Co-Founder, Wynwood Business Improvement District Board (BID)
Managing Principle, Wynwood Ventures