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

A Message from William D. Talbert III, CDME
August 9, 2010

THEY SAID “YES!” TO GREATER MIAMI MEETING
They said Yes! After 5 months of GMCVB’s Vice President of Convention Sales, Barry Moskowitz, promoting and selling our destination and hotels to a major corporate client, we are happy to report that Accenture has announced the selection of Miami over multiple cities under consideration worldwide. This high-profile meeting will attract 4,000 Senior Level Executives from around the world and represents over 11,000 room nights which will have an economic impact in excess of $5 million. The program will commence in May 2011 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. This is a terrific short term booking that will impact our community, hotels and convention center and continues to show that our brand is strong, both domestically and internationally.

GMCVB PRESIDENT & CEO AND BUREAU’S MEDIA RELATIONS AND PROMOTIONS TEAM HEAD TO EUROPE FOR SUMMER PROMOTIONS IN UK AND GERMANY
GMCVB President & CEO William D. Talbert, III, CDME will join forces with the Bureau’s Media Relations and Promotions Team for a European consumer stunt and press tour [bring your Tanning Oil]. The tour begins on Monday, August 9th in London, England with interviews by 15 radio stations in the UK to promote summer travel and to activate a consumer stunt where a MIAMI branded ice-cream truck will comb the streets of London and provide consumers with free ice cream. The London tour ends with a dinner in Miami’s sister restaurant, Hakkasan, for a meet and greet with 15 travel and trade journalists. Following London, the GMCVB team will head to Hamburg, Germany where 15 journalists will experience a Miami Spice interactive press dinner. A radio interview for the German market is scheduled to reach 4.5 million listeners and to promote a consumer stunt in partnership with the German public bike rental system. The stunt consists of Miami street teams in seven markets: Frankfurt, Munich, Cologne, Hamburg, Stuttgart, Dusseldorf and Freiburg handing out Miami-branded seat covers and awarding a lucky consumer with an all expense paid trip to Greater Miami and the Beaches. The United Kingdom ranked #7 for international overnight visitors to Greater Miami in 2009 and generated an economic impact of $659 million Germany ranked #4 for international overnight visitors to Greater Miami in 2009 and generated an economic impact of $671 million.

GMCVB’S MIAMI SPICE IS IN FULL SWING! ENJOY FABULOUS MEALS AT MIAMI’S TOP RESTAURANTS DURING AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER
GMCVB’s annual Miami Spice is a mouth-watering summer restaurant promotion showcasing the very best of Miami cuisine. During August and September, Miami’s top restaurants offer three-course meals (Lunch $22, Dinner $35) excluding tax and gratuity. This is the time to enjoy signature dishes created by world-renowned chefs. For participating restaurants, menus and reservations, visit www.iLoveMiamiSpice.com.

GMCVB’S MIAMI SPA MONTH OFFERS AN ENTICING MENU OF $99 TREATMENTS AT TOP SPAS THROUGH AUGUST 31ST  
GMCVB’s annual Miami Spa Month is in full swing.  Running through August 31, 2010, Miami Spa Month offers a selection of special treatments for $99 at Miami’s top spas. Now is the time to pamper yourself!  Greater Miami and the Beaches is renowned for luxury spas that are ranked among the “Best Spas in America.”  Browse a list of participating spas and make plans now to enjoy Miami Spa Month.

ATTENTION GMCVB MEMBERS: TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FREE PARTICIPATION IN GMCVB “MIAMI 4-4-3” SUMMER PROMOTION
GMCVB’s “Miami 4-4-3” summer promotion is in full swing. Don’t miss this terrific chance to promote your business at no cost on the 443 special offers page, Miami443.com. Note: The Miami 4-4-3 campaign will be receiving extra exposure both nationally and internationally in August, thanks to additional BP oil spill funds. If you haven’t submitted your 443 offer, it’s not too late. The campaign will run through the end of September, and focus on attracting visitors from South and Central Florida, New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Brazil, Argentina and Canada. For details on how to submit your Miami443 offers, click here.

MIAMI IS #1 AGAIN! KEEP SIGNING THE ELECTRONIC PETITION TO BRING THE FIFA WORLD CUP™ SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP TO MIAMI AT WWW.GOUSABID.COM
Greater Miami and the Beaches has been selected as one of 18 finalist cities in contention for the USA’s bid to host the FIFA World Cup™ soccer championship. Currently, Miami is #1 in petition signatures out of the 18 cities in the running for a place on the USA’s bid for the 2018/2022 FIFA World Cup™. We want to stay #1, and need your help! Please visit www.GoUSABid.com today to sign the petition. Thank you for helping us bring this world-class sporting event to Miami!

1. Miami – 67,000
2. Houston– 65,966
3. Los Angeles – 59,271
4. New York - New Jersey– 53,979
5. Tampa Bay – 49,140
6. Philadelphia – 45,468
7. Atlanta– 37,926
8. Seattle– 37,755
9. Washington, DC– 34,112
10. Baltimore– 32,088

GMCVB’S CONVENTION SALES WASHINGTON, D.C. OFFICE HAPPENINGS…
• GMCVB DC Sales will be attending the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Women’s Executive Forum: Collaborative Competition on Tuesday, August 10th at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. The topic of discussion will be to discover how and why we fall into the trap of seeing competition as cut-throat and threatening, instead of exploring how it can open doors to synergies and partnerships. Gain a positive view of competition and learn how to work it into your day-to-day business strategies. Guest speaker will be Kathryn Mayer, executive coach, author and former amateur tennis player, as she shares her mode of collaborative competition. Following the program, attendees will see competition at its best as they watch the Washington Mystics compete against the Connecticut Suns. GMCVB will have the opportunity to promote the destination to 60 meeting planners in a “competitive” and fun environment.
• GMCVB DC Sales will be attending the Potomac Chapter of Meeting Professionals International (PMPI) August Learning Experience on Thursday, August 12th at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. The “Where in the World? – A View on International Meetings” program and luncheon will be discussed and is anticipating over 75 meeting planners in attendance.

GMCVB’S CONVENTION SALES RETURNS FROM ATTENDING KELLEN LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE IN ATLANTA
Kellen Leadership Conference concluded Thursday August 5th in Atlanta, Georgia. Kellen is responsible for producing 300 meetings, events and trade shows a year representing over 30,000 room nights per year. Wednesday's reception and speed networking session allowed partners to interact with approximately 40 Kellen associates along with their Association decision makers. Thursday's trade show allowed Kellen managers and Association decision makers to visit with partner suppliers about specific programs. Approximately 30 associates stopped by the GMCVB booth yielding 3 potential future RFPs for Miami hotels. The GMCVB staff attended the "Doing business with Kellen" panel which gave an overview of Kellen's portfolio and where they are expanding. Additional sales calls were made in the Atlanta area to our corporate customers.

GMCVB’S MEDIA RELATIONS ASSISTS BELO HORIZONTE’S REVISTA VERDEMAR
GMCVB’s Media Relations staff will host a duo from Belo Horizonte, Brazil’s Verdemar magazine, August 5-9, 2010. While in Miami the media team will research the culinary scene in the Design District and in Downtown Miami. They will also check out the new happenings at a few local attractions. Verdemar is a consumer publication geared toward top consumers whose interests are food, wine and the good life (circulation: 10,000 monthly plus a blog component). Brazil ranked #2 for international overnight visitors to Greater Miami in 2009 and generated an economic impact of $992 million.

GMCVB SELLS DESTINATION AT CONNECT MARKETPLACE
GMCVB Convention Sales is preparing to attend Connect Marketplace 2010 in Louisville, Kentucky on August 12-15, 2010. Connect Marketplace is a new tradeshow focusing on Sports, Military, Education and Fraternal Associations which typically book during shoulder season. The three-day trade show is based on an appointment format. The GMCVB Convention Sales Team has secured 65 client appointments. We will look forward to seeing the potential business interest in our destination and hotel community.

GMCVB PARNTERS WITH HOTEL MEMBERS TO BLITZ CHICAGO AND SELL GREATER MIAMI
GMCVB Convention Sales and participating member hotels have returned from a three-day mini sales blitz in Chicago, Illinois. Over 75 meeting planners were called on during a combination of group presentations, client luncheons and networking receptions. Some of the accounts that were visited included Smith Bucklin Corporation, Experient, Blue Cross Blue Shield, AON Service Corp., American College of Healthcare Executives, American College of Surgeons, Talking Point (representing Accenture), American Hospital Association and American Medical Association - just to name a few. Multiple leads will be generated as a result of the sales blitz. Special thanks to our hotel partners representing the Hilton Miami Downtown, Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay, JW Marriott Marquis Miami, Morgan's Hotel Group, InterContinental Miami, Sonesta Bayfront Hotel Coconut Grove, Doral Golf Resort & Spa, Gansevoort Miami Beach and the JW Marriott Hotel Miami.

GMCVB’S MEDIA RELATIONS ASSISTING JOURNALIST FOR AFTENPOSTEN, NORWAY
GMCVB Media Relations is currently assisting writer Simmi Kaur and a photographer from Aftenposten, Norway's second biggest daily newspaper, in Miami August 12-15, 2010. The newspaper is planning a feature on Miami with focus on South Beach and Miami’s charming surrounding neighborhoods (distribution: 300,000 / readership: approximately 1 million). Norway ranked #22 for international overnight visitors to Greater Miami in 2009 and generated an economic impact of $29 million.

GMCVB PROMOTES DESTINATION TO AMERICAN STATISTICAL ASSOCIATION
Our GMCVB Convention Services staff is onsite at the annual meeting for the American Statistical Association in order to promote Greater Miami and the Beaches as the host for their annual meeting next year, July 31- August 4, 2011. This important summer convention will be held at the Miami Beach Convention Center and is expected to attract over 4,500 attendees and have an economic impact in excess of $8 million. The attendees stopped by the Miami booth to ask questions about our city, restaurants, summer events, etc. as they begin planning their trips next year. We look forward to hosting this very important citywide convention in our community next summer and rolling out the “red carpet”.

GMCVB’S MEDIA RELATIONS ASSISTING JOURNALIST FOR FRENCH LANGUAGE VOYAGE DE LUXE
GMCVB Media Relations is currently assisting Michele Lasseur, a French journalist and a photographer on assignment for Voyage de Luxe, August 12-18, 2010. Voyage de Luxe is devoted mainly to luxury hotels and has bi-weekly circulation. The 8-year-old magazine has widespread distribution in French speaking countries including: France, Belgium, Switzerland, Canada, Luxembourg and Monaco (circulation: 120,000/readership: 145,400). France ranked #9 for international overnight visitors to Greater Miami in 2009 and generated an economic impact of $374 million.

GMCVB’S UNITED KINGDOM OFFICE PROMOTES MIAMI TO TOUR OPERATORS
GMCVB’s United Kingdom office is meeting with various tour operators during the course of the week including Newmarket Holidays, Destination Golf and Discover the World. The United Kingdom ranked #7 for international overnight visitors to Greater Miami in 2009 and generated an economic impact of $659 million.

ATTENTION GMCVB MEMBERS: JOIN US ON NORTHEAST SALES MISSION, SEPTEMBER 20-25, 2010
The GMCVB Tourism Sales division would like to offer you the opportunity to join us on our annual Northeast Sales Mission. We will be visiting New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Virginia hosting table top trade shows and round table presentations in each city for 75-80 agents. We will host a VIP event in New York for our top agents. It is more important than ever that you get out there and promote your property and our destination to our top Northeast markets. Space is limited to ten participants so please sign up as soon as possible. Click here to register.

ATTENTION GMCVB MEMBERS: JOIN US ON CANADIAN SALES MISSION, OCTOBER 3-7, 2010
The GMCVB’s Tourism Sales division would like to offer you the opportunity to join us on our annual Canadian Sales Mission to Toronto and Montreal. With the Canadian dollar and economy stronger than ever we are seeing increasing numbers of Canadians in our destination. This is an excellent opportunity for you to showcase your property to this top market. We will participate in the Addison Travel Trade Shows in both cities and will host Tour Operator events in Toronto and Montreal. Space is limited to 12 members. First come, first served. Click here to register.

MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (MIA) NEWS…
American Eagle Expands at MIA
American Eagle Airlines, the regional affiliate of American Airlines, has announced increased nonstop service between Miami International Airport (MIA) and 10 additional cities throughout the American Airlines network beginning November 18, 2010. The airline will also introduce two new daily nonstop flights from Miami to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) on November 18, 2010. This is in addition to previously announced new service between Miami and Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV) in Gainesville, Fla., that begins October 1, 2010. Just in time for the busy winter travel season, American Eagle will soon move into its new location in the North Terminal of Miami International Airport. In August, American Eagle will complete the transition from its current departure lounge located at gate D35 to its new departure areas at North Terminal’s Regional Commuter Facility, which includes gates D53, D55 and D60.

MIA’s Mid-Year Traffic Exceeds Projections
Passenger and freight traffic at Miami International Airport continued to exceed forecasts through the first six months of 2010 after a stable year in 2009. MIA’s total passenger traffic has grown four percent through the first half of the year compared to 2009, with international passengers increasing 4.8 percent and domestic passengers growing by 3.3 percent. MIA has served 17.6 million passengers to date this year, with 8.1 million being international and 9.5 million domestic.

Total freight volume at MIA has grown 26.5 percent year to date, with international freight increasing nearly 28.9 percent and domestic freight growing by 10.3 percent. MIA has already handled more than one million tons of freight in the first half of 2010. In the month of June alone, MIA served nearly three million passengers, up 5.4 percent from last June, and saw total freight volume increase by 30.6 percent. Most notably, international freight grew by 33.8 percent in June.

MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT SEEKS VOLUNTEER “AIRPORT AMBASSADORS”
The Miami experience really does begin at Miami International Airport where millions of passengers arrive each year. You or someone you know can play a vital role in welcoming visitors to Greater Miami and the beaches as a Volunteer Ambassador. To help make departing and arriving in Miami as easy as possible, the Miami-Dade Aviation Department is recruiting volunteer “Airport Ambassadors”. Volunteers @ MIA act as Ambassadors to our great city by donating a minimum of 4 hours a week. Ambassadors solve problems, answer questions and welcome visitors to South Florida. Ambassador Volunteers are eligible for free parking, raffles, airport discounts and more. *Ambassadors must be 21 years or older. For additional information, visit the website, send an email to volunteer@miami-airport.com or call 305-876-7858.

GMCVB’S NEXT MEMBER MIXER IS OUR ANNUAL “TALENT SHOW-DOWN” AT HARD ROCK MIAMI, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25TH
Attention American Idol fans! Don’t miss GMCVB’s next Member Mixer -- our annual “Talent Show-Down” at Hard Rock Miami on Wednesday, August 25, 2010 at 6 p.m. This lively networker is held in partnership with the Aventura Marketing Council. Guest Emcee is “Mr. Miami Beach” – Michael Aller, Director of Tourism, City of Miami Beach. Come out and vote for your favorite singer! Parking: North Bayside Garage, please bring ticket to Mixer to receive $5 parking validation. We look forward to seeing you there!

GMCVB WELCOMES DISNEY INSTITUTE TO MIAMI ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2010
The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau is proud to welcome the 2010 Disney’s Approach to Leadership Excellence and People Management program, presented by the world renowned Disney Institute, to the Miami area on September 2, 2010. The unique one-day event, Disney’s “Approach to Leadership Excellence and People Management” combines two great topics that will challenge you to look at your business – no matter what size – in an entirely new light. You will learn how to apply innovative Disney strategies to your own organization for immediate results. Attention GMCVB Members: Please use promotional code GMCVBMNE to receive $50 OFF PER GUEST when registering. Additional group discounts are available. The program is hosted by Florida International University College of Business Administration. To learn more and to register, go to: www.KeysMiami.com. No prerequisite training required.

DORAL SOCIAL FRIDAYS HIGHLIGHT CITY’S NIGHTLIFE, ENTERTAINMENT AND LOCAL BUSINESSES WITH FREE TROLLEY RIDES
The City of Doral has just kicked off its new Doral Social Fridays event. Every Friday from 8 to 11 p.m., the Doral Trolley will stop at various entertainment and culinary businesses of Doral, showcasing the vibrant nightlife of the city. The Doral Trolley service is FREE, and the City of Doral invites all Doral businesses to participate in the evening’s events. The route will include stops at the City’s hotels where trolley route maps will be available listing other Social Friday points of interest. This pilot program is a collaboration of the City of Doral’s Economic Development Office and the Public Works Department. Doral businesses who wish to participate in Doral Social Fridays should contact the Office of Economic Development at 305/593-6725, extension 7007.

“FALL FOR THE ARTS” FESTIVAL SHOWCASES MIAMI’S DIVERSE ARRAY OF CULTURAL OFFERINGS AT ADRIENNE ARSHT CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2010
On September 12, 2010, Fall for the Arts Festival is a FREE event that will transform the Adrienne Arsht Center into Miami’s town square and create an opportunity for the community to experience, enjoy, and engage with the best of Miami’s arts organizations and community service agencies. Local arts organizations will join together to celebrate South Florida’s thriving arts scene and preview the diverse array of Miami’s arts offerings for the coming season. The festival will feature two performance stages, food and vendor booths, street food vendors, children’s activities, and community service seminars. Coinciding with the festival, a selection of more than 30 Adrienne Arsht Center shows will be available for purchase with no ticket fees. Time: noon to 6 p.m. For more information, please visit www.ArshtCenter.org/fall/.

ATTENTION GMCVB MEMBERS: SAVE MONEY WITH MEMBER-TO-MEMBER DISCOUNTS
One great benefit of being a GMCVB member is our Member to Member Discounts. You can offer your Bureau friends and fellow members discounts on your business or service – and take advantage of discounts yourself. How do you do it? It’s easy! Go to the GMCVB Entranet and log in with your password.  You will see a tab on the left for “Member to Member Discounts”.  When clicked on, this tab allows you to view the current member discounts or add one yourself. All “Member to Member Discount” listings will need a start date, an end date, a URL and a brief description of what is being offered. Let your GMCVB membership save you money. Visit theMember to Member Discounts page today!

ATTENTION GMCVB MEMBERS: ADD YOUR ‘SPECIAL OFFERS’ TO THE GMCVB WEB SITE AND CHECK OUT OUR “NEW MEMBER SHOWCASE”
Do you have a special offer or promotion that you’d like to publicize? Take advantage of the GMCVB’s dynamic, frequently visited web site, www.MiamiandBeaches.com, and publish your offer online for FREE! Special Offer categories include: Accommodations; Arts & Culture; Boating/Watersports; Business Services; Restaurants; Shopping; and Sightseeing & Tours. To add your Special Offer, click here. If you have forgotten your User ID or Password, please call your GMCVB Membership Representative: Debbie Oliver, (305) 539-3077; Lisa Lamy, (305) 539-3082; or Silvia Colucci, (305) 539-3078. * Please check out our New Member Showcase to see who has recently joined our GMCVB Family: www.MiamiandBeaches.com/Members/newMem.asp.

GMCVB’S “BUY, PLAY AND STAY LOCAL” BIGGER AND BETTER - PROMOTION FOR RESIDENTS OFFERS SPECIAL DISCOUNTS ON LODGING, DINING, ATTRACTIONS AND MORE
The GMCVB continues expanding its “Buy, Play and Stay Local” campaign.  This program encourages residents to spend their money locally, while taking advantage of great deals. Spurred by the success of its Miami Spice Restaurant Month and Miami Spa Month programs, the GMCVB partnered with seven chambers of commerce to offer special discounts on lodging, dining, shopping, arts and culture, boating/water sports, sightseeing and tours, business services and other local services.  The “Buy, Play and Stay Local” program is being supported by a comprehensive marketing campaign that includes radio and newspaper ads, public relations and a dedicated website – www.MiamiDealsForLocals.com.  Residents are encouraged to check the website regularly for updates on special offers. 

ARE YOU IN?  “MIAMI BEACH IN CARD” OFFERS DISCOUNTS AT BUSINESSES THROUGHOUT THE CITY FOR VISITORS AND RESIDENTS
Do you have your INcard yet? Miami Beach INcard is the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce’s business card and business stimulus program — providing discounts throughout the city for Miami Beach residents and visitors. All Miami Beach residents are eligible to register and receive a free black Miami Beach INcard.  Visitors, tourists and non-residents of Miami Beach are eligible for a free platinum Miami Beach INcard. For more information, please visit www.MiamiBeachINcard.com.

ATTENTION GMCVB MEMBERS: ADD YOUR ‘SPECIAL OFFERS’ TO THE GMCVB WEB SITE AND CHECK OUT OUR “NEW MEMBER SHOWCASE”
Do you have a special offer or promotion that you’d like to publicize? Take advantage of the GMCVB’s dynamic, frequently visited web site, www.MiamiandBeaches.com, and publish your offer online for FREE! Special Offer categories include: Accommodations; Arts & Culture; Boating/Watersports; Business Services; Restaurants; Shopping; and Sightseeing & Tours. To add your Special Offer, click here. If you have forgotten your User ID or Password, please call your GMCVB Membership Representative: Debbie Oliver, (305) 539-3077; Lisa Lamy, (305) 539-3082; or Silvia Colucci, (305) 539-3078. * Please check out our New Member Showcase to see who has recently joined our GMCVB Family: www.MiamiandBeaches.com/Members/newMem.asp.

MIAMI IN YOUR POCKET – USE YOUR AD DOLLARS TO REACH THOUSANDS OF VISITORS AND MEETING DELEGATES
The 2010/2011 Pocket Guide to Greater Miami and the Beaches directs thousands of visitors and meeting delegates straight to your attraction, store, restaurant or service. With a distribution of 150,000 copies, advertising in the Pocket Guide is the best way to be at the fingertips of your prospects whenever they reach for information so they know what to do and where to go. Don’t miss out! Reserve your space today. For rates and information, contact: Garry Duell Jr. at 305/376-2686 or GDuell@HCPAboard.com.

ATTENTION GMCVB MEMBERS: PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS THROUGH GMCVB’S FACEBOOK AND TWITTER
The GMCVB is actively using Facebook and Twitter to engage consumers online and to promote events and special offers via our status updates. Become our fan on Facebook by searching for ‘Visit Miami’ and follow us on Twitter- @miamiandbeaches.  As a Member benefit, we would like to help you get the word out by tweeting about any interesting news, special events or offers that you provide. Please send your info and links to SocialMedia@GMCVB.com. Please note: we reserve the right to screen all content and edit the information to 140 characters or less.  We are also actively monitoring keywords related to our destination and will be happy to pass on any comments that we think would be valuable to you.  If you currently have a Facebook and Twitter profile and we are not already following you, please send us your screen names so that we can become your fan and follower and keep the conversation going!       

“MIAMI TOURISM FOR HAITI” INITIATIVE CONTINUES WITH HAITI RELIEF EFFORTS
In response to the January 12th Haiti earthquake, the GMCVB launched a comprehensive relief effort - “Miami Tourism For Haiti” - on behalf of the Greater Miami Hospitality industry to aid in the country’s recovery.  The second phase of the relief effort, in partnership with The Greater Miami and The Beaches Hotel Association (GMBHA), features two special program:  “Add-On, Add-Up” and “Be a Knight, Give a Night”.  Miami hotels are encouraging their guests to “Add-On, Add-Up” by asking at check-in if the guests would like to make an optional donation in various amounts – which then gets added to their hotel bill. Miami restaurants, attractions and museums are also being encouraged to participate. Hotels are also donating rooms to rescue workers, evacuated expatriates, and families of those receiving medical care in Miami through the “Be a Knight, Give a Night” program.  For the latest news on industry efforts and fundraising events, visit www.MiamiTourism4Haiti.com. To submit a Haiti fundraising event, please email:  HaitiRelief@GMCVB.com.