All aboard the Brightline's Tasting Train in Florida

Florida's new intercity passenger rail service is looking to do more than just transport its customers from place to place. On the evening of Oct. 5, Brightline launches its second in a series of onboard culinary experiences. The monthly Tasting Train series, which debuted in September, includes wine and spirits pairings along with living music. Brightline began service earlier this year as the countries only privately owned and operated higher-speed passenger railroad. It has made a commitment to provide hospitality programming. “Brightline is reinventing travel by offering elevated experiences for people to connect and enjoy distinct culinary tastings,” said Johanna Rojas, vice president of marketing for Brightline.  This month, passengers will get to sample acclaimed Antinori wines from Tuscany. The journey will take off at 7 p.m. from West Palm Beach with a customized Antinori Guado al Tasso wine sampling en route to Fort Lauderdale. The train will depart Fort Lauderdale at 7:39 p.m. and arrive at Miami’s Central Station at 8:14 p.m. In Miami, the party will move on to Brightline’s Select Lounge with live music and multiple tasting stations serving Antinori’s wines from Tuscany paired with food.
At the end of the party, a dedicated train will be waiting to take the revelers home to Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach.

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Auberge Resorts Collection Announces Strategic Partnership with Bdt & Msd Partners

PR Newswire | February 02, 2024

The Friedkin Group announced today that the company has entered into a strategic partnership with BDT & MSD Partners ("BDT & MSD"), a merchant bank built to serve the distinct needs of business owners and strategic, long-term investors. BDT & MSD, through its affiliated hospitality investment vehicle, will make a minority investment in Auberge Resorts Collection, the manager of the award-winning portfolio of luxury hotels, resorts, residences and private clubs set in some of the world's most desirable locations. In addition, BDT & MSD's hospitality vehicle intends to invest significant capital towards acquiring and developing luxury hotel and residential assets that will be branded and managed by Auberge Resorts Collection. The partnership reflects BDT & MSD's belief in Auberge Resorts Collection's unique brand positioning and focus on creating one-of-a-kind luxury hospitality experiences. The investment will support Auberge's continued strategic growth in the Americas, Europe and beyond, with a focus on gateway urban markets and high-profile experiential destinations. "This partnership further solidifies Auberge Resorts Collection's position as the leading name in boutique luxury hospitality and marks a new and exciting era for our world-class portfolio," said Dan Friedkin, chairman of Auberge Resorts Collection and chairman and CEO of The Friedkin Group. "BDT & MSD's differentiated, long-term capital and expertise in luxury hospitality investments makes them a perfect strategic partner and will allow us to further grow the strength of the Auberge brand." "Auberge is a world-class manager of distinctive luxury hotel properties, with an exceptional track record of delivering curated guest experiences in the world's leading hospitality markets. We are excited to be a part of its future and look forward to partnering with Auberge's talented team to build on its differentiated strengths and accelerate further growth," said Coburn Packard, partner & head of real estate at BDT & MSD. Since becoming part of The Friedkin Group in 2013, Auberge Resorts Collection has grown into the leading name in boutique luxury hospitality, comprising 27 unparalleled properties across the U.S., Latin America and Europe, with a development pipeline of over a dozen hotels and two additional hotels planned to open in Florence and South Carolina this year. While each property is unique, all share a crafted approach to luxury and bring the essence of the location to life through one-of-a-kind design that reflects the destination, exceptional cuisine and dining experiences that attract both the local community and global traveler, innovative spas and wellness retreats and highly personalized service.

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