AMEK Group: Transforming Hospitality Through Innovation, Community, and Conscious Luxury
- Miami Living Team
- Nov 4, 2024
- 3 min read
Based in the vibrant city of Miami, AMEK Group stands out as one of the few vertically integrated white-label hospitality companies. Known for blending traditional hotel management with tech company-style innovation, AMEK Group develops and operates both its own and third-party brands, supported by in-house architecture, food and beverage, sales and marketing, and skill-training firms.
Co-founders and co-CEOs, Luis Gallotti and Lisandro León Liguori’s complementary skills and visionary leadership have driven the company’s rapid growth and success. With a commitment to conscious luxury and a robust portfolio of brands, AMEK Group is setting new industry standards.
In this article, we explore what sets AMEK Group apart, the unique roles of its co-CEOs, and the exciting developments on the horizon for this pioneering Miami-based company.
Q: What sets AMEK Group apart from other vertically integrated white-label hospitality groups?
AMEK Group stands out because we are one of the few, if not the only, vertically integrated white-label hospitality companies. We invest in, develop, and operate both our brands and third-party brands. Additionally, we support our growth strategy with a range of enterprises, including our own marketing, architecture, culinary, and skills training firms.
We blend traditional hotel management with tech company innovation and creativity. This includes the development of unique concepts and brands, working with an innovative mindset, and a strong visual aspect.
Q: Luis and Lisandro, why did you both decide to take on the title of CEO, and how do you balance your roles?
As founders, it was natural for us to lead the company. We divide responsibilities based on our backgrounds and geographical locations, allowing us to capitalize on our strengths. Having two CEOs has been crucial to our rapid expansion and growth. We divide meetings and make all major decisions together.
We complement each other as co-CEOs, each with distinct focuses, strengths, and roles. Luis excels in Operations, Finance, and Business Development, while Lisandro excels in Marketing/Branding, Product, and Business Strategy. An analogy from our shared basketball experience as kids might help: like Malone and Stockton, we play distinct but complementary roles, making us more effective together than apart.
Our human capital growth strategy is bottom-up rather than the traditional top-down approach. This ensures that our line staff and junior leaders have direct access to us during critical company moments. Sharing our vision firsthand in every meeting and keeping a close pulse on every detail allows us to regularly check and balance what is happening within the organization.
Q: One unique aspect of your business is AMEK University, in association with Lobster Ink. Could you provide more details about what this includes?
While Lobster Ink is a provider that anyone can access, the unique aspect for us is AMEK University. We created this enterprise to recruit and train local communities around our properties at least 18 months before opening day. Our local hiring rate is above 90% in all properties, and our retention rates surpass market standards.
Q: Mile Zero is a fascinating initiative your business participates in. How and why did you decide to get involved with this?
As part of our Conscious Luxury approach, we focus on developing and operating in places where we can positively impact consumers, the community, and the planet. Our commitment to the environment and social impact naturally led us to adopt an inside-out approach, sourcing resources locally first. Mile Zero is most relevant for the AKEN brand, which stands for Awaken Kindness, and Empathy for Nature.
Q: How do you choose the locations for your AKEN properties, and what are the differences between Soul, Mind, and Spirit properties?
We often select opportunities in emerging markets where we can add significant value, creating destinations in their own right. Our portfolio is divided into Mind, Soul, and Spirit properties, distinguished by their Average Daily Rate (ADR) and market positioning.
Mind represents upscale hotels, Soul is upper-upscale, and Spirit denotes luxury properties. We target a mix of emerging markets and primary and secondary cities to achieve a balanced portfolio.
Q: What new and exciting developments are coming up for the company?
We are currently developing 11 projects and will focus on highlighting our upcoming developments. These include the AKEN Spirit, Mandarina Resort and Residences in Nayarit, Mexico, and our first ultra-luxury resort in the Middle East. We’re also entering North America soon and are very excited about our expansion into booming cities.