Alan Newman Makes Life a Special Event

With a creative mind, a knack for planning and a passion for connecting with people, Alan Newman has been shining in the sales and catering industry since he moved to the Florida Keys five years ago.

Born and raised in Miami, Newman was introduced to the Keys by his parents, who are part-time residents. But after graduating from the University of Florida, he wasn't sure what his future would hold.

"I thought I wanted to go to law school, but I knew I wouldn't be happy and it really was not the career for me," said Newman.

He tried a graduate school program and even moved to North Carolina to become a mortgage broker, but nothing made him truly happy.

So he picked up and moved to a place that was familiar to him — the Florida Keys.

Newman began his Keys career in 2010 handling the front desk at the world-famous Cheeca Lodge & Spa in Islamorada. During his tenure there he became deeply interested in the specialized area of events, catering and weddings.

"I found myself peeking around the corner of the events and offering help whenever they needed it," he said.

Newman eventually joined the sales and catering team, and ultimately became manager of that department.

"It all happened so quick," he said. "I had to learn a lot in a short amount of time, but it all clicked for me."

In 2013 Newman left Cheeca Lodge, and through Kara Lundgren, a longtime friend and general manager of the Hampton Inn, started working at the resort in Islamorada as a sales director.

Just a year later, the Hampton Inn was purchased and underwent a $30 million renovation. It eventually was rebranded as the much-anticipated Amara Cay Resort, opened in late spring 2015.

Currently Newman serves as the sales and catering manager of Amara Cay Resort and is frankly delighted with where he is and the work he's doing.

He finds a personal satisfaction and gratification in helping others create a perfect setting for their special occasions.

"There's this second right before everyone walks into an event, where everything is set and perfect, when you see months of work cumulating into one moment, and that is really the true beauty of events to me," he said.

Newman believes he has found his calling in his life — something many people never get the chance to discover.

"Years earlier, when I was figuring out what I wanted to do with my career, I felt uninspired," he said. "I didn't feel any sort of personal connection with what I was doing, but now I feel that I finally found something that incorporates everything I love."

When he isn't planning couples' dream weddings or other exciting events, Newman enjoys spending time in and around Islamorada, sampling local cuisines and meeting new people. He particularly likes the wide range of personalities to be found in the Keys.

"You could be sitting next to a billionaire in shorts and flip-flops on one side and a regular working-class fisherman on the other side," he said. "No one is trying to out-do the other; the world just converges here — and it's rare to find that in a home."

Newman brings a young, vibrant energy to Islamorada and appreciates every day in the "Village of Islands."

"Even on the worst of days here, you look outside and it's still absolutely beautiful," he said.

With much of his life ahead, Alan Newman sees himself staying in his current industry for many years to come.

"I know I'm always going to be in a business where I'm dealing with people, where I can be creative, be visual and interact with others," he said. "I don't think there's just one road in life — there are a lot of turns you can make and right now I'm enjoying the road I've taken thus far."

Newman's expertise is a specialized area of events, catering and weddings for boutique and luxury resorts in the burgeoning Islamorada area.

Newman's expertise is a specialized area of events, catering and weddings for boutique and luxury resorts in the burgeoning Islamorada area.

Islamorada's Amara Cay Resort recently unveiled renovations with a tradition of luxury and simple features, clean designs and appointments incorporating natural elements such as wood, rattan and dark tile.

Islamorada's Amara Cay Resort recently unveiled renovations with a tradition of luxury and simple features, clean designs and appointments incorporating natural elements such as wood, rattan and dark tile.

Born and raised in Miami, Newman was introduced to the Keys by his parents, who are part-time residents.

Born and raised in Miami, Newman was introduced to the Keys by his parents, who are part-time residents.

Newman has made many friends in Islamorada, and found a confidant in an artist friend's pooch, Laila.

Newman has made many friends in Islamorada, and found a confidant in an artist friend's pooch, Laila.

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