Passenger arrivals at Miami International Airport (MIA) continued to experience positive increases for twelve months of 2008 despite global economic challenges. For the twelve months, passenger arrivals revealed a 0.9% increase over the same time period last year, with international arrivals growing by 3.6% —a record 8,149,108 passengers passed through MIA in 2008 —and domestic arrivals down by -1.5%. (See chart, right.)
The GMCVB’s Advertising & New Media Team has launched an integrated 1st quarter winter advertising campaign to promote Miami’s amazing weather and other unique brand assets. Television spots and online banners are currently running in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia and Boston. The four-week TV schedule will consist of over 1,000 on-air spots including sponsorships of weather reports during morning and late news in each market. The 8-week online campaign is expected to deliver over 17 million impressions. Stations include the top networks in each market including ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX affiliates. Websites include Weather.com, Weatherbug.com, USAToday.com, NYTimes.com, ChicagoTribune.com, Philly.com, etc. Traffic will be directed to the newly redesigned "Special Offers" page on www.MiamiandBeaches.com which features the latest deals offered by GMCVB members.
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/.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez will present the State of the County Address on February 10, 2009 at 10 a.m. at the Fillmore Miami Beach at Jackie Gleason Theater, 1700 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach. GMCVB President & CEO William D. Talbert, III, CDME will have the honor of serving as Master of Ceremonies. For additional information and to RSVP, please call (305) 375-1545.
Here are just a few of the reasons that you should exhibit at the U.S. Travel Association’s International Pow Wow on May 16-20, 2009 in Miami Beach. #1—It’s convenient. The largest generator of VISIT USA Travel will literally be in your own backyard. How can you pass up an opportunity to reach 1,200 international inbound and domestic buyers from 70 countries? #2—You’ll save money. You won’t have to travel the globe to generate international travel. Just be in Miami on May 16-20th. #3 You’ll save time—In three days, you will be able to conduct up to 44 pre-scheduled appointments per booth. #4—You’ll reach new markets. China, India and emerging market buyers will be there. #5—You will book business. Over $4 billion worth of business is expected to be booked this year. Don’t miss out. Booth assignments have already started. Register at www.PowWowOnline.com.
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, kids’ 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/.
The GMCVB Convention Sales Team will travel to Atlanta, Georgia, February 7-10, 2009 to attend MPI’s (Meeting Professionals International) Meet Different conference and trade show hosted by Atlanta this year giving us an opportunity to network with over 400 registered meeting planners. Several networking opportunities are available plus a one day trade show where we can showcase Greater Miami and Beaches for meetings and conventions. A postcard announcing our presence at the tradeshow was mailed to the entire list of planners.
On Friday, February 27 , 2009 at its 5th annual celebration for Black History Month, delancyhill P.A., in collaboration with the Historical Museum of Southern Florida (HMSF), the Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, as part of the HMSF preview of the Black Crossroads: The African Diaspora in Miami e xhibition will honor former county commissioner Betty T. Ferguson for inspiring change, community engagement and building bridges in the African Diaspora of South Florida. The invitation-only reception and preview will host clients, firm partners and community leaders at 6 p.m. in the Cultural Plaza and lobby of the Historical Museum of Southern Florida located at 101 W. Flagler Street in Downtown Miami. For more information, please call (786) 777-0184.
GMCVB Convention Sales continues its partnership with the Association Management Companies (AMC) Institute. AMC’s are the for-profit businesses that provide professional management and administrative services to Associations. Our GMCVB Sales Representative will attend the AMC Institute Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida February 11-13, 2009. More than 75 AMC owners, CEO’s, presidents and planners will be gathering to exchange ideas, discuss industry trends and network. Among those attending will be representatives from Anthony Jannetti Inc., Association Headquarters Inc., Association Management Center, Executive Director Inc., Fernley & Fernley, Kellen Company, The Sherwood Group, Management Solutions Plus, Smith Bucklin Corporation, Talley Management Group and Ruggles Service Corporation. These companies manage hundreds of associations that represent millions of dollars to the meetings and conventions industry.
GMCVB Media Relations assisted the editor of Ontario-based Destination Golf magazine while in Miami conducting research for a feature story highlighting what to do, see and eat in Greater Miami in addition to golfing. The magazine’s target demographic is affluent males between the ages of 30-50 who tend to travel in groups. Canada ranked #1 for international overnight visitors to Greater Miami in 2007 and generated an economic impact of $747 million.
Sandra Daley-Francois, GMCVB Director of Sales , Southeast USA and the Caribbean, attended The Travel Authority/AMEX, Travel Extravaganza in Jacksonville, Florida, February 7, 2008. There were over 20 suppliers with more than 150 travel professionals in attendance. GMCVB staff promoted the destination as a drive market as well as promoted our upcoming summer special packages and promotions.
GMCVB Media Relations is assisting Kerstin Greiner, Editor of SZ-Magazin, in town on February 9, 2009. SZ-Magazin is a weekly supplement to Sueddeutsche Zeitung (circulation: 595,528). Ms. Greiner is in Miami by invitation of the Fontainebleau Miami Beach and is also doing research for a story featuring interesting lighthouses and will visit Bill Baggs State Park. Germany ranked #3 for international overnight visitors to Greater Miami in 2007 and generated an economic impact of $615 million.
