'Where Worlds Meet' $2 Million Incremental Advertising Campaign Continues to Make an Impact in International Markets

The global campaign, ‘Where Worlds Meet’, which is a $2 million incremental joint partnership of the GMCVB, American Airlines, The Beacon Council, Miami-Dade County, Miami International Airport and the Port of Miami continues to promote Greater Miami and the Beaches as a dynamic, world-class destination for vacation, business, and meetings. Since the program launched in September, print ads have generated over 16 million impressions, TV billboards have also generated an additional 16 million impressions and the online campaign running on various travel and newspaper websites has generated over 48 million impressions. The integrated campaign promotes Miami as the ultimate tropical, cosmopolitan tourism destination while showcasing our unique assets as a premier location to host meetings and conventions or to establish a business. All traffic is being directed to the micro-site, http://www.miamiwhereworldsmeet.com/ which is available in multiple languages.

GMCVB and American Express® Present First Winter Miami Spice! January 12 - February 12, 2009

The GMCVB and presenting sponsor American Express® are proud to introduce the first Winter Miami Spice, taking place January 12 - February 12, 2009 at many of the 2008 Miami Spice participating restaurants throughout Greater Miami and the Beaches. Celebrate the city’s passion for food and life by enjoying a special 3-course dinner and/or lunch at Miami’s finest restaurants. Lunch is $23 and dinner is $36 (beverage, tax and gratuity not included). For participating restaurants, visit http://www.ilovemiamispice.com/.

South Beach Ranks #2 on Travel Channel's '21 of the World's Sexiest Beaches'

South Beach ranks #2 on the Travel Channel’s program, “21 of the World’s Sexiest Beaches”. South Beach’s “constant energy and a hot nightlife” were two factors that contributed to its blazing hot #2 rating. The #1 sexiest beach is Ipanema Beach in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. The program airs throughout the month of January on the Travel Channel. For more information, visit http://www.travelchannel.com/.

2nd Annual Miami International Agricultural & Cattle Show to Take Place March 20-22, 2009 at Tropical Park

The 2nd annual Miami International Agriculture & Cattle Show takes place March 20-22, 2009 at Tropical Park in West Miami. Last year’s event was a great success and this year’s event will be even bigger. Cattle breeders from North America, South America and throughout the world will meet during the 2nd annual Miami International Agriculture & Cattle Show which will also feature live music, educational booths, agri-business and livestock product vendors, equestrian shows, dog obedience demonstrations, kid’s activities and much more. For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Donna Peyton at (305) 755-7804 or email her at DPeyton@MiamiDade.gov. For show information, visit http://www.miamicattleshow.com/.

GMCVB's Convention Sales Courts Major Citywide Association

GMCVB Convention Sales is excited to welcome the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA)’s Board and their State Executives, January 13- 16, 2009. The GMCVB has submitted a proposal to bid for AAHSA’s 2016 Annual Conference. The convention anticipates bringing over 10,000 attendees, with a block of 5,200 peak and over 24,000 total room nights for the destination with an economic impact in excess of $15 million. GMCVB is honored to have the opportunity to host AAHSA’s Board dinner and will co-host other AAHSA meal functions while they meet in Greater Miami. Special thanks to the Eden Roc - A Renaissance Hotel, Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay and Hilton Downtown for co-hosting this event. We look forward to securing AAHSA’s 2016 annual convention in the near future.

GMCVB Heads to Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) to Sell Greater Miami and the Beaches

GMCVB President & CEO William Talbert III, CDME will join the GMCVB Convention Sales Team as preparations are underway to participate at the 2009 Professional Convention Management Association’s (PCMA) Annual Meeting January 11-14, 2009 in New Orleans, Louisiana. This “Super Bowl” of industry meetings unites over 3,000 attendees - nearly 50% of whom are Meeting Planners. Bureau sales staff will promote and sell Greater Miami and the Beaches to Association and Corporate representatives during the three-day program. While at PCMA, the Bureau will also attend a one-on-one session with leadership from Microsoft Corporation’s Events & Meetings Division. Microsoft holds over 5,000 meetings worldwide each year. We are pleased that representatives from Global Spectrum at the Miami Beach Convention Center will be in attendance as well. Plans are in place to meet with a number of clients while there.

GMCVB's Media Relations Assists "Drive I-95" Authors January 16-17, 2009

GMCVB Media Relations is assisting Stan Posner and Sandra Phillips, authors of "Drive I-95: Exit by Exit Info, Maps, History and Trivia", who are in the midst of putting out their 5th edition of the definitive driving map/guidebook for the I-95 highway from Boston to Miami (www.drivei95.com). The book has won four national awards has been a huge bestseller, producing over 100 media interviews last year alone. This husband and wife writing team will be in Miami on January 16, 2009 updating the Miami section of the book.

GMCVB's Media Relations Assists Canada's Life and Fashion Magazine in Miami January 13-18, 2009

GMCVB Media Relations is assisting a travel writer on assignment for Canada's Life and Fashion magazine in Miami January 13-18, 2009. The writer anticipates publishing the Miami travel feature in the March 2009 issue (cover story). The story will focus on the South Beach area as a chic getaway for young affluent Canadians highlighting a selection of boutique hotels, restaurants, spas and attractions. Established in 1995, Life and Fashion magazine is a quarterly upscale glossy magazine with a readership over 1 million in Canada and the U.S. Life and Fashion offers its readers (average age: 42, average household income: $143,000+) the highest standards and quality in travel, entertainment, fashion, fine dining and more. Canada ranked #1 for international overnight visitors to Greater Miami in 2007 and generated an economic impact of $747 million.

GMCVB's Tourism Sales Sells Greater Miami at Vakantiebeurs - One of the Largest European Travel Trade Shows - in The Netherlands January 13-18, 2009

Vakantiebeurs is one of the largest consumer travel shows in the world, taking place in Utrecht, The Netherlands, January 13-18, 2009. Last year’s show attracted 135,233 attendees, of which 13,033 were trade visitors. Our participation enables GMCVB to reach more of the European market and make valuable contact with the Dutch travel trade and consumers. In addition to having a stand, the GMCVB will also be participating in a luncheon at the Vakantiebeurs exhibition hall on January 13th for Dutch tour operators, airline representatives and travel trade press. The Netherlands ranked #17 for international overnight visitors to Greater Miami in 2007 and generated an economic impact of $113 million.

GMCVB's Media Relations Assisting Journalists for French Travel Magazine

GMCVB Media Relations is assisting journalist Philippe Medioni and photographer, Jill Hanon from City Magazine January 18-20 and 27-30, 2009. City Magazine is a French language glossy consumer travel magazine which is published quarterly throughout France, Belgium and Switzerland (circulation: 60,000). The journalists will visit Miami to prepare a 15-page article on Florida which will be published in the April 15th issue. France ranked #9 for international overnight visitors to Greater Miami in 2007 and generated an economic impact of $364 million.

GMCVB's Media Relations Assists Spanish Freelance Team

GMCVB Media Relations will be assisting a Spaniard media team from Barcelona, Spain from January 12-16, 2009. The team will be in town covering Miami’s various neighborhoods along with a few attractions and unique tourist experiences. Staff will assist with itinerary enhancement and meals. The media team (photographer and journalist) contribute to Revista De Viajes and are working on a travel spread for the magazine’s upcoming issue (circulation: 75,000 monthly). Spain ranked #23 for international overnight visitors to Greater Miami in 2007 and generated an economic impact of $46 million.

GMCVB Exhibits at Matka Expo in Helsinki, Finland, January 15-18, 2009

The GMCVB will be represented at Matka Expo, the largest Travel Trade and consumer show in Finland, January 15-18, 2009. Our participation, as part of the “Florida’s Beaches” booth partnership with Fort Myers/Sanibel, St. Petersburg/Clearwater and the Fort Lauderdale CVBs and Visitor Associations, provides a consistent appearance at this important event. Over 75,000 consumers and travel trade visitors attend Matka Expo. For more information, visit www.FinnExpo.fi.