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Business, MSM Online, Tech

eMerge Yourself into the World of Technology

By Gisel Habibnejad Now in its third year, eMerge Americas is a two-day event hosting technological innovations through EXPO space experiences, networking interactions, and conferences. The EXPO floor included exhibitor booths, through which the latest innovations were displayed; a “Launchpad” of entrepreneurs who shared their experiences and inventions; a Hackathon where about 125 coders had 24 hours to decode complex challenges built by API sponsors for a chance to win more than $50,000 in cash and prizes; and a hiring fair. The summit talks incorporated various topics fit to inspire innovators of all journeys in technology. The Government Innovation Forum (eGOV) brought together leaders of government and business to discuss “how public-private partnerships leveraging disruptive technologies are transforming our communities” and to deliberate on transforming our communities into smart cities. Made up of over 100 startups from around the world, the eMerge Americas Startup Showcase provided a point for these companies to interact with hundreds of investors and partners. The Women, Innovation, and Technology Summit (WIT) is a one-day summit that united powerful women of the industry to inspire and motivate event goers by presenting leaders “who are bridging the gap between the creative and tech industries” and also featured a Technology and Innovation fashion show. Other conferences consisted of the Textpert Stage, which allowed visitors to engage with experts who discussed the latest innovations and trailblazing technologies. This year’s keynote speakers were comprised of General Colin L. Powell, Monica Lewinsky, Tony Hawk, Pitbull, Chairman of CNBC Mark Hoffman, Chairman of NBCUniversal International Group and NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises Cesar Conde, Co-Founder of America Online Steve Case, CEO of AT&T Ralph de la Vega, Co-Founder of Netflix Marc Randolph, and many more. Of course, we can’t forget the VIP parties, live entertainment shows, and cocktail soirees. Each offered special ways to interact and network with peers who are involved and enjoy the same technological industry. These events were hosted at Lincoln Road, the Paris Theater in South Beach, and the Perez Art Museum Miami (PAMM). eMerge Americas takes place in the growing tech community of Miami hosting industry leaders, government officials, and investors from North America, Latin America, and Europe. The year’s biggest B2B event of the Americas was aired nationwide courtesy of CNBC and Telemundo, and was also broadcasted live to other countries such as Europe, Africa, and Asia. For more information, please visit www.emergeamericas.org

Cover Stories, Entertainment, Music, News & Entertainment, The Issue

Julio Iglesias, Jr.: World Tour with His Father, Family Life, & What’s Next

September-October Issue 2015 MIAMI NATIVE & SPANISH SINGER REVEALS WHAT IT’S LIKE BEING ON TOUR WITH HIS FATHER, GROWING UP AS AN ‘IGLESIAS,’ & WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR HIM By Gisel Habibnejad Photographed by Ernesto Poblacion With musical talent running through his veins, it’s safe to say Julio Iglesias, Jr. was born to grace the world with his gift. Throughout his lifetime and various works, music has always remained a constant. There’s no denying the greatness that awaits Julio in the near future with a new album in the works and joining his father on his world tour, among the many. Julio was born to Spanish music icon Julio Iglesias, and Filipina socialite and journalist Isabel Preysler. Growing up, his parents instilled morals and values that molded him into the person he is today. “My dad taught me the importance of working hard in anything you do in life and to always surround yourself with great people.” Having a popular singer as a father also had its perks. “When I was younger, I saw my father like any young boy sees his father. As I got older, I began to realize that my father was famous. It was always nice to hear my friends and their parents express how they love my father’s music,” says the singer. “It’s a great feeling when people appreciate what your parents do.” Although he doesn’t plan on having children in the near future, he can’t wait to instill his family values into his future offspring. “I value good people with big hearts, family, friends, and music.” As Julio grew older, his passion for music blossomed and he soon realized his purpose in life. “Growing up in a musically-inclined family, you learn to really appreciate it.” While it would be easy to assume Julio broke into show business through music, it was actually through his modeling career. With several campaigns under his belt, his most notable include: Versace and Gap. Soon after, he ventured off into other aspects of the industry. He displayed his dance moves on the Spanish version of Dancing with the Stars known as ¡Mira Quien Baila! He then went on to win the first season of Gone Country, featuring various celebrities from different genre backgrounds competing to become a country singer. However, the most memorable of his TV stints has to be his frequent appearances on Oprah Winfrey’s talk show. Somewhere between his modeling career and television shows, Julio toured and became the opening act of Cher’s Do You Believe? 1999 North American tour. Most recently, Julio recorded the album Latin Lovers, featuring various artists coming together to create a compilation covering popular Spanish music hits. Along with Nuno Resende and Damien Sargue, Julio performed several of these covers at numerous concerts throughout Europe. Among the popular singles are “Vous Les Femmes,” an original by his father, “La Camisa Negra,” and “Livin’ La Vida Loca.” When he’s not touring or traveling all over the world, he’s in Miami–the place he has called home for most of his life. Julio was born in Spain, but moved to our beloved city when he was a child. Ever since, it has held a special place in his heart. “My family and friends live here. There’s nothing better than that.” An ideal day for Julio is relaxing by the beach and playing tennis. “The great thing about Miami is that you never get bored here; the city is always expanding. There’s always something to do.” However, ‘home is where the heart is’ and his heart belongs to his beautiful wife, Charisse Verhaert. Charisse and Julio began dating 12 years ago and finally tied the knot in 2011. “I love my wife, she’s an amazing woman. I’m very blessed to have her by my side,” says Julio about the Belgian model. While he’s usually touring overseas, some of his favorite destinations are within our very boarders. He takes delight in making occasional trips to the Florida Keys and spending time in his vacation home. Besides boating and kite boarding, the drive itself brings him bliss. “The spectacular view of the ocean on both sides when crossing the Seven Mile Bridge really makes the long drive worth it.” Having attended Menlo College near San Francisco, Julio grew affection towards Northern California, which he visits at least four times a year. One of his favorite places on the west coast is Lake Tahoe. During the winter, he can’t get enough of snowboarding; while in the summer, he enjoys the quiet beaches. Earlier this year, it was announced Julio would be joining his father on his world tour. Their first official performance together took place on May 22nd in Romania. Bulgaria, Spain, and Portugal were among the other countries that followed. In September, he will perform alongside his father in Guadalajara, Santiago de Querétaro, Mérida, Yucatán, Hermosillo, Puebla, and Monterrey in Mexico. In November and December, he looks forward to touring in Asia. “It’s a great experience because I get to spend a lot of quality time with my father. To share a stage with him in front of 20,000 people has been a dream come true.” As for a concert in Miami, locals should be on the look out for an upcoming performance down the road. With this in mind, we had to ask: are there any future plans for a performance with Julio, his father, and Enrique? We were pleasantly surprised to find the answer to be yes. Whenever this occurs, it is sure to make history! We were especially excited to learn that Julio has begun writing and recording songs for his next Spanish solo album, which will be released next spring. Everyone will be able to get to know Julio on a personal level like never before, and he can’t wait to share it with the world. To keep up with all the latest news on Julio Iglesias, Jr., follow his social media accounts: Instagram: @juliojrofficial Facebook: www.facebook.com/JulioJrOfficial Twitter: @JulioJrOfficial Click here to view this

Culinary, The Issue

Michael Schwartz: The Most Prolific Man in Miami

By Nycole Sariol  Not many people know that Michael Schwartz has a hidden talent. “I could fall asleep standing up,” quips the James Beard Award Winner, “don’t tell anyone.” Though, when the Miami-based chef revealed that he has time to sleep at all – even in the most arbitrary of stances – and still manage to be a quality family man, it somehow came as a bit of a shock. Nowadays, it seems you can’t find a restaurant in Miami without the toque’s name attached to it: Restaurant Michael Schwartz in the iconic Raleigh seizes the Miami Beach dining scene, while The Cypress Room, Harry’s Pizzeria, and Michael’s Genuine outrival bordering hubs as the Design District’s Big Three. The man even has his own label of 12-ounce brews with his name stamped all over, solidifying his top chef status. Surely, Schwartz must have yet another secret talent lurking up his sleeve to seamlessly balance helming a slew of triumphant restaurant concepts and juggling personal downtime. But for Michael, the trick is simple: “Great people. That’s just the bottom line. I couldn’t do it without my people,” he says of his team of restaurant employees, chefs, publicists, and partnerships that keep his hotspots “spinning in the air, and inspire and motivate” him to be the Renaissance man he is today. The success of his culinary ventures has rightfully garnered him an outpouring of attention throughout the years. But it’s Michael’s revamp of perhaps his most beloved restaurant, Michael’s Genuine, which has particularly riveted the attention of Miami diners as of late. “I guess it was a long time coming,” Schwartz says of inevitable renovation and the recent acquisition of the restaurant’s raw bar. Like many local restaurants, Michael’s Genuine typically closed after lunch at 3pm and re-opened for dinner at 5:30pm prior to the makeover, giving a generally large gap of downtime to prep for the dinner crowd. But Michael sought to scratch the downtime all together, and instead introduced an “Afternoon Service” for all the tardy lunchers wafting about in the neighborhood. “The extension of the [raw] bar was kind of a no- brainer for us. Introducing it capitalized on that in-between time when people are shopping in the neighborhood,” Schwartz says. And what with the influx of high-end designers flocking more and more to the Design District’s quarters these days, the raw bar and the restaurant’s newfound schedule couldn’t have arrived at a more opportune moment. Once measuring only fourteen feet in length, where customers would oftentimes sit squished arm-to-arm, the [raw] bar now seats twenty-five people comfortably, after knocking out what used to be the wall separating the private dining room. “Just opening it up really changes the way the restaurant feels and looks,” tells Michael. But prior to the newest offerings being served up at the raw bar – small plates like the East and West Coast oysters, shellfish platters, middleneck clams, and local crudo, tartar, and ceviche – Michael’s Genuine’s lunch menu underwent some changes of its own, a sort of precursor leading up to the restaurant’s recent alterations. “About two or three months ago, we revamped the whole lunch menu and really looked at it more like our dinner menu, in terms of changing it,” say Michael. Instead of the archetypal likes of a salad, sandwiches and small plates replaced the lunchtime iteration, keeping in tune with Michael’s affinity of minimally proportioned dishes. Nowadays, change is the name of the game for Michael. Imbued by his recent modifications at Michael’s Genuine, Schwartz plans to tackle a new foray come next year. Partnered with the award-winning Related Group, the duo is launching a restaurant concept and beach club at Edgewater’s Paraiso Bay, completely different from anything Michael has done in the past. “We’re not borrowing from Michael’s Genuine,” says the chef, “we’re creating a whole new experience that has a lot to do with wood-fire and very vibrant flavors, focusing on carefully sourced proteins, loads of vegetables, grains, and juices.” Being his first waterfront venture (sitting poolside at the Raleigh doesn’t count), Michael admits that he’s shocked how few restaurants teem Miami’s shorelines, in spite of coastal surroundings. “The options for waterfront dining are ridiculously limiting; we’re surrounded by water – it doesn’t make any sense. So, we jumped at the opportunity to bring something really fun, interesting, and different [to Edgewater]. It was too good to pass up.” The concept might come off a bit hoitytoity, but Michael argues that it’s actually the very antithesis of ostentation. “I wouldn’t classify it as fine dining; there won’t be table cloths, it’s not a hush restaurant,” assures Michael. “You’ll be able to sit outside, with your feet in the sand, near the water, while eating really good food.” Not only is Schwartz taking his culinary expertise to Miami’s seaside, but he’s also bringing a farm-to-table concept overseas via an ironclad partnership with Royal Caribbean called Michael’s Genuine Pub. Craft cocktails, craft beers, and a focused wine list compliment the menu of snacks, charcuterie, and artisan cheeses on the European cruise liners based out of Europe and Asia. “The ships will be time-released in six month periods. So, within the next eighteen months all three ships will be sailing,” the Chef adds. But while Michael’s namesake sets sail internationally, it’s Miami that keeps him anchored and inspired – whether he likes it or not. “I’m sort of stuck here for better or for worse,” admits Michael, “It took me awhile for me to embrace it, but I love Miami.” “I’ve always felt like there was enough of a challenge for me to be here and make a difference,” says Michael. “The Miami dining scene has come a long way. I still think that it will always evolve, but we do our part to elevate and gain some national and international exposure for Miami.” And, despite the flurry of recognition and countless restaurants that have given Michael impetus to potentially venture off elsewhere to further build his eponymous name, Michael

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