ANNA MARIA – A new business in the heart of Gulf Drive in Anna Maria is helping Island visitors spend less time booking activities and more time enjoying their vacation.
Whether it’s a family that wants a golf cart and some personal watercraft rentals or a wedding party that may need an entire restaurant privately booked, Susanne Arbanas can make it happen. Her newly-opened business, Anna Maria Island Concierge Services, takes pride in alleviating the stress of booking multiple excursions and rentals, leaving guests more time to spend enjoying the Island and less headache researching what’s right for them.
“A newlywed couple may not want to book a sunset cruise on a boat with a lot of excited children, they may want something a little more quiet and romantic. I know which charters meet their needs, so rather than call and research to find exactly what they want, they can just come to me, so they can relax and enjoy the honeymoon and let me take care of the details,” said Arbanas.
Arbanas is no stranger to the hospitality industry. She worked for Continental Airlines from the 1980s to around 2000 before moving to Australia in 2000 to work in the airline industry for Sir Richard Branson with Virgin Atlantic, as well as Qantas Airways. Arbanas returned to the U.S. in 2008 where she settled on Anna Maria Island. Certainly not a stranger to AMI, Susanne had been coming here every year since age 3 to visit her grandparents, who had a home on the Island.
“After heading up concierge for Compass by Margaritaville, I saw the change here. The Island had gone from 90% locals and 10% tourists to exactly the opposite. The visitors were now the 90%, so I thought this may be a great time to take my talents and my 13 years of networking and put them to good use,” said Arbanas, speaking of her decision to leave Compass and start AMI Concierge Service.
“Because of my passion for the Island, all things Anna Maria, I just love the fact that people are coming to explore the Island. It’s even better when you can help with their adventures and them not have to take those precious days that they have here figuring everything out. You can tailor a vacation for them and guide them in the direction of what it is exactly they want to do,” Arbanas added.
In addition to being an expert in the hospitality industry, Arbanas truly loves being a part of the AMI community and gets satisfaction out of seeing other people find enjoyment in the Island she calls home. She is involved with multiple charities and organizations on the Island, including being an Ambassador for the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce.
“I’m involved with her because her energy level is so high, I couldn’t imagine meeting her briefly and not having a good time. If she’s going to help plan your weekend, or plan your week, you’ve got the right person for it,” said Bob Slicker, who owns Slicker’s Eatery in Cortez.
The self-proclaimed “Director of Contagious Enthusiasm” is available weekdays; walk-ins are welcome at 9805 Gulf Drive in Anna Maria, or you can call 941-404-7575 or reach her online.
