What's Happening This Week @
the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau —

GMCVB’S MIAMI SPA MONTH EXTENDED THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2008
The first-ever Miami Spa Month has been so successful in attracting visitors and locals to the community's world-class spas during the month of July that the special promotion has been extended through the end of August 2008. The 20 participating spas will continue to offer $99 treatments – representing a savings of 50% or more off the retail value. Organized by the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) and with American Express as presenting sponsor, the extended Miami Spa Month also now coincides with the first month of Miami Spice Restaurant Month (www.iLoveMiamiSpice.com). Treatments offered by each participating spa are detailed on a special website: www.MiamiSpaMonth.com. The $99 cost does not include tax and gratuity. American Express Cardmembers will receive an additional 10% off on regularly priced spa products and treatments during their visit. Reservations are required.

GMCVB’S CONVENTION SALES HEADS TO FLORIDA MARKETPLACE WITH CORPORATE PLANNERS TO SELL DESTINATION
GMCVB Convention Sales will sell Miami at the Successful Meetings University - Florida presented by Successful Meetings magazine in Palm Beach Gardens August 24-26, 2008. Successful Meetings flies in 50 meeting planners for one-on-one meetings, networking events and social functions for three days. Successful Meetings, the industry's leading magazine, informs and entertains meetings professionals through information invaluable for the planning and execution of meetings, events, conventions and incentive travel programs.

NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION REAPPOINTS GMCVB’S ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT OF CULTURAL TOURISM GEORGE NEARY TO A THIRD TERM
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the nation’s largest historic preservation organization with more than 250,000 members, has reappointed George Neary, GMCVB Associate Vice President of Cultural Tourism, to a third term as one of the two Florida Representatives on the National Trust Board of Advisors. The Board of Advisors is a vital link to local preservation efforts by providing insight on important preservation issues and participating in activities that support Trust efforts in each state. For more information, visit www.PreservationNation.org

GMCVB’S TOURISM SALES PROMOTES MIAMI IN CANADA
Greater Miami and the Beaches will partner with Thomas Cook Canada for their fall product launch in Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver from August 17 – 22, 2008. Table top trade shows will be conducted in each venue with 800 agents expected in Toronto and 300 in Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver. The Canadian dollar is stronger than ever and Thomas Cook is one of the major travel forces throughout the country.

GMCVB’S CONVENTION SALES REPORTS SUCCESS AT MEETING PROFESSIONALS INTERNATIONAL’S WORLD EDUCATION CONGRESS
Meeting Professionals International’s World Education Congress concluded on August 12, 2008 with a record-breaking attendance of over 4,000 people. At the two-day trade show in Las Vegas, Nevada, more than 100 meeting planners expressed interest in Miami resulting in six solid leads generated for the destination. Numerous networking opportunities were offered to showcase Greater Miami and the Beaches for meetings and conferences. Key clients included: Herbalife, Specialty Coffee Association, Redkin, University Of Miami, Staples and KPMG to name a few.

SAVE THE DATE FOR NEXT GMCVB MEMBER MIXER: AUGUST 20TH AT KITCHEN 305, NEWPORT BEACHSIDE HOTEL AND RESORT
Get ready for the GMCVB’s next Member Mixer on Wednesday, August 20th from 6 to 8 p.m. Mix, mingle and enjoy delicious hors d’oeuvres and special drink prices at Kitchen 305, a hip new restaurant located at the Newport Beachside Hotel and Resort. Fun includes DJ music, raffle and networking with fellow members. Valet parking: $6; self-parking: $5. Please RSVP by August 18th to MemberSupport@GMCVB.com or call (305) 539-2929. Note: Invitation is for GMCVB members only and is non-transferable. Newport Beachside Hotel and Resort is located at 16701 Collins Avenue, Sunny Isles Beach, Florida.

SAVE THE DATE: GMCVB ANNUAL MEETING IS OCTOBER 16, 2008
Attention GMCVB Members and Friends: The GMCVB’s Annual Meeting will take place on Thursday, October 16, 2008 at the Fillmore Miami Beach at Jackie Gleason Theater, located at 1700 Washington Avenue in Miami Beach. RSVP information and other details will follow shortly. We look forward to an informative, fun and successful evening with all of our hospitality and tourism industry partners!

GMCVB’S CONVENTION SALES ATTENDS MEETING PROFESSIONAL INTERNATIONAL’S SOUTHEAST CONFERENCE
GMCVB Convention Sales will be attending Meeting Professionals International (MPI’s) 17th Annual Southeast Educational Conference (SEC) August 21-23, 2008 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Over 250 meeting planners from throughout the state are expected to attend. There are over 20 education sessions and three large networking events, as well as a tradeshow. This year, the SEC Kickoff Luncheon scheduled on Saturday will be hosted by the South Florida Chapter to announce that in 2009, the SEC Conference will be hosted in Greater Miami and the Beaches!

JOIN GMCVB’S NORTHEAST SALES MISSION SEPTEMBER 8-11, 2008
Attention GMCVB Members: The GMCVB Tourism Sales division would like to offer you the opportunity to join us on our annual Northeast Sales Mission September 8-11, 2008. This is an excellent opportunity for you to showcase your property and educate the northeast travel agent community. We will be visiting Philadelphia, New York and Connecticut for Travel Agent Events and host our VIP dinner in Central Park. For those interested, a Miami Day will be held at Travel Impressions Res Center in Philadelphia to train the 30 new Delta Vacations agents on the Miami product. Member cost is $1,600.00 (one representative per company). Note: Registration forms must be returned with your payment prior to Monday, August 25th, 2008. Click here for a PDF registration form. Please contact Linda Stilmann, Director of Sales, (305) 539-3067 or Linda@GMCVB.com with any questions.

GMCVB’s CONVENTION SALES SEELS AT INCENTIVEWORKS IN TORONTO
GMCVB Convention Sales will sell at this year’s IncentiveWorks show in Toronto, Canada, August 19-20, 2008. IncentiveWorks is Canada’s leader in one-stop marketplaces for incentive, meeting and convention planners, attracting nearly 2,000 attendees to experience educational sessions and exhibits for two full days. The GMCVB Convention Sales team will attend the Meeting Professionals International networking function with the Toronto Chapter which is expected to attract 300 people. Canada continues to be a strong market for Greater Miami and the Beaches, and we look forward to building more successful business relationships with the Canadian market. This year our sales team is joined by GMCVB’s Director of Sales - Incentive and Luxury Travel, Judith Fernandez, who now solicits international group sales and generates leads from around the world.

NOW IS THE TIME TO RESERVE AD SPACE IN THE 2009 GREATER MIAMI AND THE BEACHES VACATION PLANNER / VISITORS GUIDE
Attention GMCVB Members: Have you reserved your advertising space in the official 2009 Greater Miami and Beaches Vacation Planner / Visitors Guide? This once a year opportunity ends August 29th. With one investment your ad reaches visitors before they arrive and then again in their hotel rooms locally. The soft cover Vacation Planner is the official fulfillment piece of the GMCVB, sent to travelers planning to visit our market and distributed at trade shows. The hard cover Visitors Guide is the only hard cover to saturate the market, in-room, in 174 hotels (over 28,300 rooms). Advertisers also receive a free 30-second video at area hotel concierge desk kiosks. Additionally, this is the one advertising program where your advertising dollars are reinvested into the promotion of Miami and Beaches all year long. Please call HCP/Aboard Publishing ASAP for personal assistance, details, rates and to request a media kit: Luis Sardinas (305) 321-8037; Shawn Paulus (305) 376-5283; or Lori Castle (305) 376-5252.

GMCVB CONGRATULATES NESTOR A. RODRIGUEZ ON HIS APPOINTMENT AS PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF FLORIDA
The Zoological Society of Florida (ZSF), the support arm of Miami Metrozoo, has appointed Nestor A. Rodriguez as President and CEO effective September 12, 2008. Mr. Rodriguez has been the CEO of Voices for Children Foundation, the funding arm of the 11th Judicial Circuit Guardian Ad Litem Program, for the past eight years. He previously held the positions of Director of Development at the Florida Philharmonic and Miami City Ballet, Executive Director of the National Chopin Foundation, and, for 18 years, served as Artistic Director of the University of Miami’s Festival Miami. In a formalized agreement with Miami-Dade County, the Society is responsible for fundraising, marketing, membership and extensive educational and volunteer programs at Miami-Metrozoo. The Society is also jointly involved with Miami-Dade County with capital projects involving planning and construction of new and exciting exhibits. Mr. Rodriguez will also work in concert with Miami-Metrozoo Director Eric Stephens and his professional staff, as well as with the Miami-Dade County Metrozoo Oversight Board, which is chaired by County Commissioner Dennis Moss.

MIAMI DESIGN PRESERVATION LEAGUE’S ART DECO ACADEMY AND TOUR SCHOOL TO BE OFFERED IN SEPTEMBER
Miami Design Preservation League (MDPL) will conduct its biannual Art Deco Academy and Tour School on September 20, 27 and October 4, 2008. The Academy is geared to individuals who would like to know more about Art Deco, and also serves as a training program (Tour School) for individuals who would like to become volunteer guides, leading walking tours of the Art Deco District. Graduating from the Academy requires completion of two days of educational sessions (September 20 and 27), which include walking tours, the study of architectural styles and Miami Beach history, and guest lectures. The cost is $40. Application form or online registration is available at www.MDPL.org.

SUPPORT THE CHILDREN’S TRUST: VOTE ‘YES’ ON AUGUST 26TH
Miami-Dade County residents will have the opportunity to make The Children's Trust a permanent part of our community when the issue comes up for renewal on the August 26 ballot. In 2002, Miami-Dade voters approved the creation of The Children's Trust by an emphatic margin of nearly 2 to 1. According to The Miami Herald, which is in favor of renewing the funding, the Trust has transformed the way services are delivered to children and families in Miami-Dade County since its founding. It invests $100 million or more a year by funding nearly 300 programs and agencies designed to help children in need. With a Yes vote, Miami-Dade voters will make The Children's Trust a permanent part of our community when the issue comes up for renewal on the August 26 ballot. Early voting begins August 11, 2008. For more information on services and programs provided by The Children’s Trust, visit www.TheChildrensTrust.org.

FREE FUN FOR FAMILIES – MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PROMOTES ‘STAYCATIONS’
Do something different this summer – go on a “staycation”. Miami-Dade County is offering residents discounts and specials to attractions county-wide. Among the fun and free things to do for families are: Target Free Third Fridays at Miami Children’s Museum (3 p.m. to 9 p.m.); Second Saturdays at Miami Art Museum, with free admission and fun, hands-on activities for children and adults (1 p.m. to 4 p.m.); Free Sundays at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in August and September; Free Sundays at Vizcaya Museum and Gardens (through August); and Culture Shock Miami – a special program for students ages 13-22 who can buy tickets for only $5 to the best performances and two for $5 for museums in and around Miami-Dade County (www.CultureShockMiami.com). The first ticket must be used by a student, but the second ticket can be used by a person of any age.

HISTORIC VIRGINIA KEY BEACH PARK SEEKING PHOTOGRAPHS AND OTHER MEMORABILIA FOR NEW MUSEUM
Historic Virginia Key Beach Park is currently seeking donation of old photographs, oral histories, objects and other artifacts by visitors familiar with the recreational facility from its heyday. If you have any memories to share for the forthcoming museum, please contact Dr. Anthony Dixon, Museum Curator at ADNixon@MiamiGov.com or (305) 960-4614.

SAVE THE DATE: OCTOBER 25, 2008 IS FIRST ANNUAL SOUTH FLORIDA CORPORATE TENNIS CHALLENGE
The First Annual South Florida Corporate Tennis Challenge will take place Saturday, October 25, 2008 at Crandon Park Tennis Center on Key Biscayne. This fundraiser is a joint effort with the Visitor Industry Council (VIC) and Friends of Miami Tennis. Funds raised will support scholarships for students of African heritage pursuing a career in hospitality management at FIU School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Miami-Dade College and Johnson & Wales University. The tournament is supported by the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau and the United States Tennis Association. For more information, call (305) 539-3126.