WTDC Newsletter
August 28, 2023
President’s Corner
Water Donation for His House
South Florida Cruise Industry on the rise
MIA on pace for record passengers in 2023
Miami-Dade County to invest millions into PortMiami
by Sean Powers
by Sean Powers
As I look back on 2022, I am so grateful for our customers. Through service to our customers, employees, and community we’ve had opportunities to progress as a company.
In 2023 we look forward to implementing our EDI bridge developed over the past year. We upgraded our forklift fleet, trailer spotter, and made a number of improvements to our facility. Next year we will continue to reinvest in ourselves, building our team and upgrading security for our technology and facility.
This year we expanded our Health and Wellness initiatives with more mindfulness sessions and workouts, full health insurance coverage, healthy lunches for all employees, and improved our on-site workout room. We countered the rise in gas prices with a fuel allowance and put incentive programs in place for all employees.
WTDC celebrated our 45th anniversary in March and that enthusiasm has held strong in all aspects of the business. I am most proud of the way our employees have taken ownership of our community initiatives over the past year. We look forward to working with our customers to better their WTDC experience in 2023.
Wishing you a Happy Holidays!
Stay healthy,
Sean Gazitua, President & CEO
ProChile visits WTDC
On December 7, WTDC welcomed ProChile Trade Commissioner Claudia Ferrer and Trade Manager Jaime Silva to our offices. In cooperation with Empresas Perrot, our Chilean logistics partner, WTDC is committed to providing logistics solutions to support the mission of ProChile: growing exports from Chile.
The last 747
After 54 years of production, the Boeing 747 has been discontinued. The jet modernized air travel and allowed comfort on long trips. While new 747’s are not being made, existing jets will still be used for both cargo and passenger flights.
WTDC’s 10th Anniversary as a Foreign Trade Zone
On December 12th, WTDC celebrated its 10th anniversary as a Foreign Trade Zone. WTDC was the first operating FTZ in PortMiami’s FTZ 281. Thank you to our grantee PortMiami, our customers, and our employees for helping our vision become a reality.
Sound Meditation
On Friday, December 9th, Andrea De La Madriz led a sound meditation session at WTDC. As part of our Health and Wellness Initiative, WTDC encourages our employees to adopt a healthy lifestyle.
Fire Drill with MDPD
On Monday, December 12, WTDC held a fire drill with the help of the Neighborhood Resource Unit of Miami-Dade Police Department. Thank you to our staff and tenants for your cooperation!
Azamara Onward makes first call to PortMiami
Azamara’s newest ship the Azamara Onward arrived to PortMiami to a welcoming party of Miami-Dade County officials this week. The cruise will have a short run from Miami before moving to Europe in the Spring.
by Sean Powers
I’m honored to now be appointed to the Adrienne Arsht Center Trust (AACT) Board of Directors, recently confirmed by our Miami-Dade County Commissioners and Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.
Community is one of the four pillars of WTDC. With this new platform, I hope to further uplift our local community through the arts. For more information, look to the article below.
Stay healthy,
Sean Gazitua, President & CEO
Sean Gazitua appointed to Arsht Center Board of Directors
WTDC President and CEO Sean Gazitua and 5 other nominees were appointed to the Adrienne Arsht Center Trust (AACT) Board of Directors during the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners meeting held November 1st, 2022.
Arsht Center is the preeminent hub for arts in Miami-Dade County, with a mission to engage and connect people from every corner of our community through artistic excellence and inspiring educational experiences. The board supports the Arsht Center through supervision, recruitment, and advocacy.
PortMiami Welcomes its Largest Container Ship to Date
On November 17th, the CMA CGM Osiris arrived to PortMiami. It is the largest container ship to dock at PortMiami and has a maximum capacity of 15,536 TEU.
Royal Caribbean Reaches Biggest Deal Ever with PortMiami
On November 15th, Royal Caribbean and PortMiami reached an agreement that will generate 2.8 billion dollars for the local economy over 50 year deal. The deal includes construction of a new Terminal G for the exclusive use of Royal Caribbean Group brand, construction of another future shared terminal with MSC, a lease extension to 2017 for Royal Caribbean Group’s headquarters at PortMiami, and approval for renovation of their headquarters. The accord estimates 12,000 new jobs will be created as a result.
Lotus House Food Drive Success
WTDC’s 4th Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive was a major success! We delivered a trunk full of food for Lotus House Shelter.
Lotus House is a leader in addressing the special needs of homeless women, youth, and children with innovative, holistic, evidence based solutions to break the cycle of childhood abuse, domestic violence, and homelessness.
Thank you to everyone who donated!
Pajama Drive for His House
Join WTDC in donating new pajamas for the children of His House Children’s Home in our 8th Annual Pajama Drive. Donations can be dropped off or addressed to WTDC. Thank you for your years of support!
Can’t make it to WTDC? Contact WTDC Logistics Manager Ginger Diez for more ways to donate.
Angel Tree Project
Every Christmas season, WTDC participates in the Angel Tree Project from Prison Fellowship. This year, WTDC sponsored Christmas gifts for 10 children of incarcerated parents. The project aims to strengthen relationships between incarcerated parents and their children.
WTDC Thanksgiving Potluck
On November 16th, WTDC held a Thanksgiving potluck for staff after work. Thank you everyone for bringing such amazing dishes!
LEAF Emmaus Food Drive
On Thursday, November 17th, WTDC Logistics Manager Ginger Diez and Transportation Manager Castell Chavez joined WTDC Chairman Ralph L. Gazitua and Law Enforcement and Firefighters (LEAF) Emmaus members to distribute Thanksgiving meals door to door to needy families in Homestead.