International passenger arrivals in November 2008 at Miami International Airport (MIA) increase +1.8% vs. November 2007 and are on track for a record 2008. The growth in international passenger arrivals, despite global economic challenges, helped offset the -3.4% decline in domestic arrivals in November. (See chart, right.)
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 and TV billboards have generated over 46 million impressions and the online campaign running on various travel and newspaper websites has generated over 66 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, www.MiamiWhereWorldsMeet.com which is available in multiple languages.
The GMCVB and presenting sponsor American Express® have launched the first Winter Miami Spice, taking place now through 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/.
GMCVB Convention Sales is excited to announce that the Association for Financial Professionals has selected Greater Miami and the Beaches and the Miami Beach Convention Center as host city for their Annual Conference in October 2012. This citywide convention attracts 6,000 attendees and utilizes a room block of over 5,000 rooms on peak with an estimated economic impact in excess of $10 million. Special thanks to those individuals and organizations that provided their support on the sales solicitation process: Commissioner Deede Weithorn, City of Miami Beach; Stuart Blumberg, President and CEO of Greater Miami and the Beaches Hotel Association; Loews Miami Beach Hotel; Miami Beach Convention Center; Global Spectrum; and CenterPlate.
The U.S. Travel Association’s (formerly Travel Industry Association) International Pow Wow will take place in Miami from May 16-20, 2009. This major trade show is the largest generator of Visit USA travel and is attended by 1,200 international inbound buyers representing 70 countries. At International Pow Wow, buyers and sellers are able to conduct business that would otherwise be generated only through an exhaustive number of around-the-world trips. Also in attendance at Pow Wow is a network of over 5,000 industry colleagues, delegates from the seven new VISA Waiver countries, and 350 journalists from around the world. The U.S. Travel Association is the national, non-profit organization representing all components of the $740 billion travel industry. To register for International Pow Wow 2009, please visit http://www.powwowonline.com/.
The Florida Senate Select Committee on Florida’s Economy is holding in Miami the third of three statewide Public Workshops [Jacksonville, Boynton Beach and Miami] to help determine ways to bolster our state economy. It is imperative that there be a strong showing of our travel and tourism industry at this meeting. We need a unified industry voice at this meeting to make sure our Legislators know the importance of VISIT FLORIDA and our travel and tourism industry. Please plan to attend and provide comment. If you can bring travel and tourism industry employees that would be wonderful. This is an opportunity to reinforce with our legislators that travel and tourism are the state’s #1 industry and the economic engine that will carry the state through this crisis.
The following outlines meeting details:
Date: January 22, 2009
Time: 9 a.m. – Noon.
Location: Merrill-Stevens Shipyard, South Yard, 881 NW 13th Avenue, Miami, FL
Click here for a list of committee members with a brief bio. Three [3] of the eleven [11] members are from South Florida: Senator Jeremy Ring [Margate], Vice Chair; Senator Dan Gelber [Miami Beach] and Senator Eleanor Sobel [Hallandale Beach].
We appreciate your participation at this meeting. With your help, we can actively educate our Legislators on how to aid Florida’s economic recovery, while protecting Florida’s tourism industry during the 2009 Legislative Session.
BACKGROUND
A Special Legislative Session convened this month to slash more than $2 billion from state-funded programs across the board, including a proposed cut of $9.9 million from VISIT FLORIDA’s tourism marketing budget (Legislature will vote to finalize the budget either Wednesday or Thursday). Legislators expect to cut at least $6 billion more from the state budget during Legislative Session beginning in March. We need your help to ensure that funding for tourism marketing is protected during the 2009 Legislative Session.
To address future budget concerns, the Florida Senate created the Select Committee on Florida’s Economy to develop legislation that boosts economic recovery and growth, and to ensure our state government functions efficiently.
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 www.MiamiCattleShow.com.
GMCVB’s Boutique Hotel staff promoted the destination at HBO’s Luxury Lounge at the 66th Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles, California January 8-11, 2009. HBO hosted its 7th annual Luxury Lounge at the Golden Globes, providing a place where talent can be pampered with a bevy of luxury gifts and spa services as they prepare for their Golden Globe festivities. Miami Boutique Hotels promotional items were distributed at the Luxury Lounge, giving the Miami brand excellent exposure. Los Angeles prime TV news station KTLA (Channel 5) showcased Miami as a R&R post-Golden Globes destination for celebrities, while InStyle magazine (circulation: 1.7 million) photographed Twilight star Taylor Lautner in the Luxury Lounge picking up a trip to Miami with accommodations at Miami Boutique Hotels’ Townhouse. In addition, hotel gift certificates were provided to the nominees and filmmakers who visited the Luxury Lounge. Special thanks to luxurious Landmark Biltmore Hotel. Special thanks to our GMCVB Boutique Hotels: Casa Casuarina, Gansevoort South Beach, The Shore Club, Townhouse, Raleigh Hotel, Standard Hotel, Setai, Hotel Victor, Pelican, Century, South Beach Plaza, Catalina Hotel & Beach Club, Hotel Ocean, Hotel Astor, The Strand, Grove Isle, Hotel St. Augustine, Chesterfield, Mercury, Chelsea, Metropole and Riviera South Beach Luxe Hotel Suites.
Mark your calendars! The next GMCVB Member Mixer is Thursday, January 22nd at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach from 6 to 8 p.m. See the Fontainebleau’s spectacular renovation and taste samplings from the property’s new and exciting restaurants. Discounted valet parking is $15 per car. Note: Invitation is for GMCVB members only and is non-transferable. We look forward to seeing you there!
GMCVB Convention Sales will host the 2009 Corporate Venue Review familiarization (FAM) tour January 22-25, 2009 for corporate and association meeting planners, highlighting the Coconut Grove and Coral Gables areas of Greater Miami. Special thanks to The Biltmore Hotel, Doubletree Hotel Coconut Grove, Mayfair Hotel & Spa, Sonesta Bayfront Hotel Coconut Grove and The Westin Colonnade Hotel for being our hosts for this important review.
GMCVB’s Miami Boutique Hotels staff will showcase the destination during the annual Langerado Music Festival – held for the first time in Miami March 6-8, 2009. More than 25,000 people are expected to attend this year’s Langerado Festival, the popular rock and electronic music show now in its 7th year. The event will take place at Bicentennial Park in Downtown Miami with additional acts performing on Miami Beach. For more information, visit www.Langerado.com.
GMCVB Media Relations assisted a writer on assignment for Canada’s The Globe and Mail (circulation: 406,401), Canada’s largest circulated national newspaper, in Miami to research a story on what’s new in Miami including new unusual restaurants, upcoming neighborhoods, strange hotels, etc. The writer is an award-winning independent radio and print journalist who reports from all over the world covering travel. Her stories have appeared in publications such as The National Post (circulation: 228,896), The Boston Globe (circulation: 503,659), and the South China Morning Post (circulation: 104,000) among others. Canada ranked #1 for international overnight visitors to Greater Miami in 2007 and generated an economic impact of $747 million.
