Port of Miami Cruise Passenger Numbers Continue to Grow

The Port of Miami reports continued success for the first month of 2009. The latest figures released by the Port of Miami indicate that cruise passenger traffic for January 2009 was 422,000 passengers, an increase of 6.9% over last year. Sustained growth is due in part to the arrival of new, larger vessels and the variety of cruise options offered by the Port of Miami. (See chart, right.)

U.S. Travel Leaders Meet with President Obama to Discuss Key Issues Affecting the Industry

“White House Says it Encourages Business Travel” – Associated Press, March 12, 2009
Last week 12 travel industry CEOs who were in Washington for the US Travel CEO Roundtable held a 20 minute White House meeting with President Obama on Wednesday. The conversation focused on the industry’s concerns about the collateral damage being done to business-related travel. The President heard our industry’s message, and we believe he will be an advocate for responsible business travel going forward. The first sign of his support came the very next day, when White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs stated, "The president believes it's important to have a strong tourism industry and that it's important that, as the president said earlier ... that we shouldn't retrench. He would encourage people to travel." The power of these comments should not be understated. Businesses have been looking for a clear signal from policy makers that it is okay to invest in meetings, events and incentive travel.

On the local level, approximately 15% of Greater Miami and the Beaches’ overnight visitors are a result of business travel, including meetings and conventions. Nationwide, business travel creates 2.4 million jobs. Meetings and events are directly responsible for 1 million jobs in the United States. For more information on the U.S. Travel Association’s recently launched “Meetings Mean Business” campaign, visit (www.MeetingsMeanBusiness.com) and help ensure that media and policy makers understand the importance of meetings, events and incentive travel.

GMCVB's Convention Sales Conducted Destination Phone Blitz with Industry Partners

The GMCVB Convention Sales Team in partnership with the Miami Beach Convention Center Sales Team and Convention Hotel Partners conducted a destination phone blitz on Tuesday, March 10th. The mission of the blitz was to find short term and long term business for Greater Miami. Besides the participation of our 45 sales professionals, we had the honor of our local leaders’ participation to include Miami Beach Mayor Matti Herrera Bower; Michael Aller, Miami Beach Tourism and Convention Director; Alex Tonarelli, Hotel Manger of Loews Miami Beach; Bob Balsam, General Manager of the Miami Beach Convention Center; and GMCVB President & CEO William D. Talbert, III,CDME. The team collectively reached out to corporations and associations throughout the United Sates and Canada, promoting the destination and soliciting for future meeting opportunities - successfully completing over 900 phone calls, generating 43 new leads and developing over 30 strong future potentials. Thanks to our industry partners and local leaders for their continued support. Thanks in particular to Global Spectrum, Miami Beach Convention Center, Centerplate Catering, Priority Networks, and Smart Source for sponsoring a fabulous day at the Center. We could not have done it without their support.

2nd Annual Miami International Agriculture & 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, 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/.

NCAA Men's Basketball "March Madness" Set to Kick Off in Miami March 20-22, 2009

The first and second round games of the 2009 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament will be played at the AmericanAirlines Arena, on March 20-22, 2009. The event is hosted by Florida International University in partnership with the Miami-Dade Sports Commission. Tickets are on sale now for the 2009 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball first and second rounds. Call (786) 777-1000 or visit www.AAArena.com.

Save the Date! GMCVB's 18th H.O.T. Challenge is May 1, 2009 at Doral

Friday, May 1, 2009 marks the 18th year for the H.O.T. Challenge Golf Tournament! The ongoing mission is to raise awareness and funds that mutually benefit African-American students (through scholarships, mentoring, and job-placement programs) with Greater Miami’s vast Tourism Industry. Through the Visitor Industry Council (VIC) program, 180 students have earned their degrees in Hospitality-related fields and have continued the path to becoming industry leaders within our community. We look forward to your joining us again this year at Doral Golf Resort & Spa in support of this important mission that benefits us all. For more information about the V.I.C., please visit http://www.vicmiami.org/. For H.O.T. Challenge information, please visit http://www.hotchallenge.com/. The following generous supporters of this annual event have already stepped up to join us! Many more sponsors are still needed for golfing as well as donating products and services to the widely popular online auction – going LIVE ON MARCH 30th! Please contact Petra Brennan at (mailto:305)%20539-3097%20or%20PBrennan@GMCVB.com or Daina Leon at (305) 539-3086 or Daina@GMCVB.com for more details or ideas on how you can become involved!

Platinum Sponsors
American Airlines
Carnival Cruise Lines

Gold Sponsors
Florida International University – School of Hospitality

Bronze Sponsors
American Coach Lines
The Biltmore
Hilton
Miami To Go

Hole Sponsors
The Biltmore

Expo Sponsors
Expo Convention Contractors, Inc.

Contributing Sponsors
AeroMexico
American Airlines
Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel
The Biltmore
Blue Moon Hotel
Carnival Cruise Lines
Doral Golf Resort & Spa, A Marriott Resort
Expo Convention Contractors, Inc.
Exquisite Catering by Robert
Island Queen Cruises
Johnson & Wales University
La Bodeguita Miami Restaurant
Lammico, Inc.
Maceo Designs
Maxim Printing
Miami Children’s Museum
Miami City Ballet
Miami Dade College – School of Hospitality
New World Symphony
Sandals & Beaches Resorts
Show Technology, Inc.
The Westin Colonnade Coral Gables
Winterhaven Hotel
Zoological Society of Florida/Miami MetroZoo
94th Aero Squadron

International Pow Wow Introduces Enhancements - Appointment Scheduling to Start Week of March 9th

The U.S. Travel Association is introducing four new enhancements to this year’s International Pow Wow, which will add even more value to the show where billions of future international inbound travel business is booked each year. This year’s International Pow Wow will be held May 16-20, 2009 at Miami Beach Convention Center. As part of the scheduling process that launched the week of March 9th, exhibitors will be able to match up open appointment times with buyers after the initial appointments are distributed through a new manual appointment scheduling process. This will enable exhibitors to pre-schedule more appointments before arriving in Miami. A new online directory—replacing PowWowOnline.com—will also be unveiled with “social networking” matching capabilities, as well as advertising opportunities and features to post links, presentations and e-brochures. More networking time and lead retrieval devices are also being added. For more information and to register, go to www.PowWowOnline.com.

11th Annual Miami Fashion Week Takes Center Stage in Wynwood Arts District, March 19-22, 2009

The largest event in the country spotlighting Latin American and international fashion hits the runways in Greater Miami when designers, entertainers and celebrities from around the globe take part in the 11th annual Miami Fashion Week®, March 19 - 22, 2009. For the third consecutive year, SOHO Studios in Miami’s trendy Wynwood Art District will be transformed into a state-of-the-art “fashion city,” housing fashion shows, the jewelry and accessories marketplace, and sponsor lounges and displays. New for 2009 are an International Buyers’ Salon and the International Culinary Arts Pavilion, which will feature a different celebrity chef each evening who will create cuisine inspired by the native countries of the fashion designers being showcased that night. The final show schedule and tickets are now available at: www.MiamiFashionWeek.com.

City of MiamiGardens' 4th Annual 'Jazz in the Gardens' Music Festival to Take Place March 28-29, 2009 at Dolphin Stadium

Jazz in the Gardens, the annual jazz festival organized by the City of Miami Gardens, takes place March 28-29, 2009 at Dolphin Stadium. Hosted by nationally syndicated radio personality Tom Joyner, Jazz in the Gardens has become one of the most highly anticipated events in South Florida. With an expected turnout of 30,000, it is positioned to break its own attendance record yet again. Confirmed artists include the dynamic and popular Maze featuring Frankie Beverly; soul singing sensation, Anthony Hamilton; renowned Grammy award-winning saxophonist, Kenny G; hip-hop emcee and actor, Common; Grammy-winning soul singer and writer, Erykah Badu; R&B singer and songwriter, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds; smooth and sexy Will Downing; funk, soul and old school jazz composer, Roy Ayers; West-African-born and critically acclaimed jazz vocalist, Angelique Kidjo; and two-time Grammy-nominated songwriter, guitarist and producer, Jonathan Butler. For show information, visit www.JazzintheGardens.com.

An Historic Celebration: Miami Beach Gay Pride, April 18, 2009

On Saturday, April 18, 2009, Miami Beach will produce its first ever “Gay Pride Festival” an initiative of City of Miami Beach Mayor Matti Bower and the Mayor’s Gay Business Development Council. GMCVB Associate Vice President of Cultural Tourism George Neary was appointed by the Miami Beach Mayor to sit on this committee. This historic initiative brings together civic, community and business leaders to produce a one-day festival on famous Ocean Drive, Miami Beach to 10,000+ people. Festivities will include a parade, a business expo, community booths, live entertainment and much more. The festival aims to inspire appreciation and acceptance of the diversity of Miami Beach, and to raise awareness of the vibrant GLBT community within our local community and to visitors to our destination. Opportunities are now available for Sponsorship, Parade Float participation and Expo/Festival Booth Participation. Contact Cindy@MiamiBeachGayPride.com for more information or visit http://www.miamibeachgaypride.com/.

Film Life's 13th Annual American Black Film Festival Returns to Miami Beach - June 24-27, 2009

The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) returns to Miami Beach June 24-27, 2009 with an Opening Night Gala, the latest and best Black films from around the world (shorts, features, documentary and unreleased), panels and symposiums and other special events. The Opening Night Gala will be held at the Colony Theater on Lincoln Road on Wednesday, June 24, 2009. Visit the web site for tickets and a complete schedule of events: www.ABFF.com.

Save the Date: Next GMCVB Member Mixer is Thursday, March 26th at Santo Restaurant on South Beach

Mark your calendars! The next GMCVB Member Mixer is Thursday, March 26, 2009 at Santo Miami Beach from 6 to 8 p.m. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and happy hour drink prices. Santo Miami Beach is located at 430 Lincoln Road on Miami Beach. Note: Invitation is for GMCVB members only and is non-transferable. We look forward to seeing you there!