Miami International Airport Passenger Arrivals First Two Months of 2009

For the combined months of January and February 2009, passenger arrivals at Miami International Airport (MIA) decreased -2.4% versus the same time period last year, with international arrivals declining by -1.5 % and domestic arrivals down by -3.1%.
For the month of February 2009, passenger arrivals at MIA decreased -3.9% versus the same time period last year, with international arrivals declining by -3.4 % and domestic arrivals down by -4.4%.

What Is International Pow Wow? A Quick Primer:

The U.S. Travel Association’s (formerly TIA) 41st annual International Pow Wow takes place in Greater Miami and the Beaches at the Miami Beach Convention Center on May 16-20, 2009. Pow Wow is the travel industry's premier international marketplace and the largest generator of Visit USA travel. In just three days of intensive pre-scheduled, computer-generated business appointments, more than 1,000 U. S. travel organizations from every region of the USA, and representing all industry category components, and close to 1,500 International and Domestic Buyers from more than 70 countries, conduct business negotiations that result in the generation of over $3.5 billion in future visits to USA travel destinations. 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. International Pow Wow is also an opportunity for unique news coverage for USA travel destinations and products. Over 450 travel journalists from over 40 countries participated in International Pow Wow 2008. Great opportunities exist for destination and product articles to appear in major trade and consumer publications from around the world. Historically, the business negotiated during International Pow Wow results in the generation of $4 billion in future travel to the United States. The Host Community usually sees about 10% or $400 million of business over the 3 years after hosting International Pow Wow. To learn more, visit www.tia.org/PowWow/General_Information.html.

"Miami: Where Worlds Meet" Campaign Reinforces Message of Miami As The Ideal Destination for Business, Vacation and Meetings

The aggressive "Miami: Where Worlds Meet" initiative – which spans North and South America, as well as Europe – is a collaboration of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB), The Beacon Council and American Airlines. Unprecedented in its scope, the campaign is also being supported by Miami-Dade County, the Port of Miami and Miami International Airport. Recently, the campaign has traveled to Paris, New York and Canada to spread the message of Miami as the ideal destination for business, vacation and meetings. Beginning in May 2009, phase two of the campaign will put forth several new creative promotions designed to attract all types of travelers to Greater Miami and the Beaches.

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 include a parade, a business expo, community booths, live entertainment and much more. Grand Marshalls Patti Labelle and designer Richie Rich will add to the day’s exciting lineup of fun and entertainment. The Gay Pride Parade will be held on Ocean Drive between 5th and 15th Street starting at noon and going on until 7 p.m. 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. For more information, visit www.MiamiBeachGayPride.com.

Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez Launches Volunteer Initiative and Web SIte, "I Am Involved.Org" to Encourage Community Participation

On March 20, 2009, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez launched the "V" Volunteer initiative website www.iamInvolved.org. The V initiative is the Mayor’s contribution to improving the quality of life in the community. It draws on the collective efforts of government, business and the community to make Miami-Dade County a better place to live. Volunteers will be able to log on to the V website to learn about volunteering opportunities throughout the region, which match their interests. Via the website, volunteers will be able to register for exciting new events the V initiative will be hosting in the coming months. Users will also be able network and participate in projects, while showcasing civic pride. For additional information or to sign up and volunteer, log on to www.iaminvolved.org.

Volunteers Needed for International Pow Wow - May 16-20, 2009

Volunteers are needed to assist with International Pow Wow at Miami Beach Convention Center in the following areas: Tour Sign Up, Meet and Greet, Special Event Hosts, Interpreters, Receptionists, Material Check-in/Out and Door Monitors. Volunteers will be part of an Appreciation Party, receive wonderful prizes, and be a part of Miami’s #1 industry – Tourism! Note: Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older. To find out more, click here.

U.S. Travel Association's "Meetings Mean Business" Campaign Launches "Faces of Travel" Initiative to Protect Jobs in Meetings & Conventions

In an effort to save jobs in the midst of the uproar over corporate travel, the U.S. Travel Association (formerly TIA) launched a campaign to ensure that media and policy makers understand the importance of meetings, events and incentive travel. The "Meetings Mean Business" campaign is a comprehensive travel industry effort that includes grassroots organizing, paid advertising, and Internet marketing. On March 26, "Meetings Mean Business" launched a new initiative called "Faces of Travel." This initiative is designed to find the travel industry employee(s) who best embodies the character and hardworking spirit of the travel industry. The winner (or winners) will become the newest spokesperson for the industry, including interaction with the media and policymakers. To participate, industry employees are encouraged to submit a 45-60 second video telling why they are the "face of travel" and how business travel, meetings and events are important to them, their company and their community. Videos are to be submitted through www.MeetingsMeanBusiness.com/FacesofTravel. The contest began on Thursday, March 26 and will close at noon EST on April 24, 2009.

GMCVB's Convention Sales Reports Back from HSMAI's Affordable Meetings Mid-America in Chicago

GMCVB Convention Sales attended HSMAI’s (Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International) Affordable Meetings Mid-America at The Navy Pier in Chicago, Illinois. HSMAI's Affordable Meetings Mid-America returned to the Navy Pier in Chicago and attracted planners from all sectors of the industry who attended looking for quality resources to enhance their meetings and events. The various attendees represented different corporate, association and independent sectors, government, non-profit, education, religious and medical/healthcare organizations, trade show management and the military. Over 600 meeting planners and decision makers were in attendance over the course of the two-day tradeshow, mostly from the Mid-West market. The tradeshow resulted in 3 official leads and 1 potential lead. A total of 71 people stopped by the GMCVB booth over both days. Thanks to our hotel partners that joined us: Charles Group Hotels and Trump International Miami Beach Resort.

GMCVB's Miami Boutique Hotels Brings Fashion Designer Richie Rich To Serve As Grand Marshall at Miami Beach Gay Pride, April 18, 2009

GMCVB’s Miami Boutique Hotels Director Noelle Stevenson brings New York fashion designer Richie Rich to open Miami Beach Gay Pride day April 18th as a Grand Marshall. Many thanks are extended to all the Boutique Hotels that provided special rates for pride. A special thank you is also extended to Colleen Graham at the Townhouse for hosting Richie Rich and his manager!

GMCVB's Convention Sales Exhibits at Springtime Expo in Washington, D.C. April 16, 2009

GMCVB Convention Sales will be exhibiting at the Springtime Expo at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. on April 16, 2009. At the Expo, we will have the opportunity to network and promote our premier destination to meeting planners from corporations, associations and third party meeting planners. The trade show typically attracts over 2,500 planners. We look forward to reporting favorable results from the Expo!

GMCVB's Tourism Sales Sells Miami in Puerto Rico

GMCVB Director of Sales for the Southeast USA and the Caribbean will be selling Greater Miami and the Beaches to over 50 travel agents in Puerto Rico April 14-18, 2009. Sales calls will be conducted with agents in the cities of San Juan, Mayaguez, Ponce and Aguadilla.

GMCVB's Convention Sales Attends PCMA (Professional Convention Managers Association) Education Foundation Dinner in Washington, D.C. April 15, 2009

GMCVB Convention Sales will be attending the PCMA (Professional Convention Management Association) Education Foundation Dinner held at the Hilton Washington on Wednesday, April 15, 2009. Each year, the Dinner Celebrating Professional Achievement honors the accomplishments of three individuals for their outstanding contributions to the hospitality and meetings industry. GMCVB Convention Sales has the opportunity of hosting three major associations at this event: the American Bar Association, National Association of Collection Agency and Endocrine Society. GMCVB salutes all three 2009 PCMA Education Foundation honorees! They are: Bruce Harris, Experient; John Patronski, GES Exposition Services; and Tyra Hillard, George Washington University.

GMCVB's Media Relations Hosts Latin Pre-Post Cruise Media Familiarization Tour

GMCVB Media Relations will be hosting a group of Latin American press attending a Miami Pre/Post Cruise Travel media familiarization (FAM) tour, April 16-19, 2009. During their stay in Miami, the media FAM will experience the unique activities available to them when visiting the city before or after a cruise. They will check out nearby downtown attractions, restaurants, hotels and entertainment. Media participants include Turistampa, Mexico (circulation: 30,000 monthly), Travel & Leisure, Mexico (circulation: 50,000 monthly), Open Magazine (circulation: 40,000 weekly), Gata Report (circulation: 27,000 monthly) and Report Americas, Argentina (circulation: 40,000 monthly) and Mensajero Turistico, Argentina (circulation: 75,000 monthly).