The Confidante Miami Beach has appointed Macarena Sepulveda its new director of event planning and meeting experience. In her new role, Sepulveda is responsible for managing the planning and execution of banquet events at the Miami Beach property, as well as overseeing event services, including food and beverage, stewarding and operations.
With more than 10 years of industry experience, Sepulveda most recently served as director of the cluster sales office for MDM Hotel Group, where she represented five hotels in Miami for the past four years. Sepulveda has built her hospitality career across different countries, including the United States and her home country of Chile. Sepulveda’s career includes a range of experiences with Marriott, including the F&B outlets supervisor at the Miami Marriott Dadeland, where she was later promoted to event meeting planner. Afterwards, Sepulveda was appointed director of catering at the JW Marriott Miami, where she was responsible for overseeing the banquet, event planning, social catering and event technology departments to provide guests the highest level of service.
The following year, in 2014, Sepulveda was awarded by the Greater Miami and the Beaches Hotel Association as the “Catering Manager of the Year” while also being named “Event Management Rising Star” by the Marriott South Florida Business Council. Additionally, in 2014, Sepulveda was the recipient of the Marriott’s Global Discipline Event Leadership GEM award for the Americas. She has also earned a bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management from Instituto Nacional de Capacitacion Profesional, a member of The Leading Hotel Schools of the World.
Sepulveda is responsible for nearly 30,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor flexible multi-functional space at the hotel, accommodating events and functions for 10 – 1,000 people. Venues incorporate technology and natural light, and they range from a library bar to a historic backyard bungalow and the open-air Vista Terrace overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. In January 2019, The Confidante opened the $5.5 million oceanfront Carmen Miranda Ballroom, a 4,639-square-foot-space with design elements that aim to bring to mind Miami’s golden era. The space has a pre-function area, an indoor ballroom and a private wrap-around terrace with views of the property’s two heated pools, poolside cabanas and bungalows, private beach and palm trees. In September 2017, the hotel completed a $3.5 million renovation of the remainder of its indoor meeting and event space, located on the second floor, adding design and technology enhancements. A dedicated stairwell to the hotel’s backyard area ensures a seamless transition from outdoor beach ceremonies and poolside events to receptions in the indoor/outdoor ballroom.
For meetings and events, the property offers a variety of unique experiences, including an Adult Coloring Book portraying whimsical scenes from the hotel and designed by local Miami illustrator Josefina Fernandez. Additionally, for those looking for a mini-escape, guests can experience the hotel’s gourmet popsicle and libation menu, which was developed in partnership with locally based Cielito Artisan Pops, with customizable flavors and toppings served out of the hotel’s retro poolside ice cream cart, complete with a beach umbrella. This cart can be wheeled in to any of the hotel’s meeting and event spaces.
Launched in 2016, The Confidante has 354 guestrooms, including 14 suites, with a 1950s-inspired design that aims to reflect Miami Beach’s heyday. The Confidante Miami Beach is part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt.
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