There are people who build businesses, and there are people who build communities. Scott Holland has spent his life doing both.
When Holland arrived in South Florida from New York in his mid-twenties, he brought with him a strong educational foundation, having earned both a business degree and an MBA. What he could not have known at the time was that he would become one of the most respected and beloved figures in our community — a leader whose influence would be felt by countless businesses, organizations, and individuals over the decades that followed.
For years, Holland has been an institution in South Florida. His fingerprints can be found on some of the community’s most successful and enduring events, including the legendary Noche Latino. His unique ability to understand what entertainment venues needed at exactly the right moment helped countless businesses not only survive but thrive. Holland has always possessed an extraordinary gift: the ability to see opportunities where others see challenges and to guide people toward success with wisdom, patience, and integrity.
Holland is also a true media pioneer. Through the leadership of four HotSpots publishers — Jason Bell, Peter Clark, Jeff Sterling, and now myself — Holland has remained a constant source of knowledge, stability, and vision. His dedication to HotSpots Magazine and its mission has never wavered. He understands that our publication is more than a magazine; it is the voice of the community.
As I begin this new era of HotSpots Magazine, I am humbled and deeply grateful that Holland chose to continue this journey with me as Associate Publisher. Quite honestly, I would never have accepted the responsibility of carrying forward the legacy of HotSpots without him standing beside me. Seven days a week, Scott works tirelessly to ensure that we continue serving our readers, our advertisers, our nonprofits, and our community with excellence.
What makes Holland truly special, however, is not simply his professional accomplishments. It is his heart. He always puts people first. He understands the struggles of small business owners because he genuinely cares about their success. He has helped businesses transform from struggling enterprises into thriving organizations. He has also helped countless individuals navigate some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
For many, Holland has been a trusted advisor. For others, a mentor. For many more, a friend. He has been the shoulder people lean on when they need support, guidance, or simply someone willing to listen.
To me, Holland is more than an associate publisher. He is one of my dearest friends, a trusted partner, and a hero. He represents the very best of what community leadership should be: selfless, compassionate, honest, and dedicated to helping others succeed.
The fabric of any great community is woven together by extraordinary people who give more than they take. Holland is one of those people. Our community is stronger, more successful, and more connected because of him.
Thank you, Holland, for everything you have done, everything you continue to do, and for being one of the remarkable people who make our community such an extraordinary place to call home. Thank you for our friendship. Thank you for being my guiding light as we forge forward together with ideas, excitement and enthusiasm of the days, weeks, months and years ahead.
Bobby Blair is an LGBTQ media pioneer and leader known for his philanthropic work on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community. A Florida native, he lives in Fort Lauderdale with his longtime partner, Brian Neal. Blair was inducted into the GLBT Hall of Fame in 2015.
