As the end of 2024 draws near, I am reflective of how FIU and the College of Business have continued to grow in stature. We are a powerhouse in South Florida and beyond; we have brand recognition and brand affinity. Over the summer, FIU Athletics announced a partnership with international superstar and entrepreneur Armando Christian Pérez, better known as Pitbull. The 10-year agreement rebranded FIU Stadium as Pitbull Stadium, making it the world's first-ever athletics venue with an artist possessing the naming rights. The cover story in this issue of FIU Business Now explores another area where this type of branding is happening: high-end real estate. From Dubai, United Arab Emirates to Miami, condominium developers are partnering with luxury bands like Bentley, Mercedes-Benz and Fendi. Our faculty experts and alumni weigh in on what this trend means for the real estate industry.

Another feature in this issue looks at the move from acute care to ambulatory care in the healthcare industry. Find out what it means for the industry and what business opportunities may be generated by this changing model of patient care.

In our Briefing section, you will read about a $100,000 grant to the Florida Small Business Development Center at FIU Business and how it will impact earlystage entrepreneurs in the food industry. You will also learn about the new hospitality concentration in our Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program. In the By the Numbers section, you will see top FIU Business program rankings and get an overview of our student demographics.

You will also meet some impressive FIU Business alumni, including the woman at the helm of Celebrity Cruises, a man who runs more than 40 McDonald's franchise units, an entrepreneur who landed on the 2024 Forbes 40 under 40 list, and the man who led the growth of the world's largest wholesale distributor of swimming pool supplies and equipment.

We are closing out another great year at FIU Business with pride in our successes. Our success requires the support of our alumni and other stakeholders. Thank you, and I hope you enjoy this issue of the magazine.

William Hardin,
Dean, FIU College of Business