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

A Message from William D. Talbert III, CDME
November 16, 2009

‘DID YOU KNOW…’
Although located on Key Biscayne, the Cape Florida Lighthouse, South Florida’s oldest structure, has a close connection to Coconut Grove. Built in 1825, its first keeper, John Dubose, also had a home in Coconut Grove. Other early keepers, including members of the pioneering Pent and Frow families did as well. The original lighthouse was destroyed by the Seminole Indians in 1836 and rebuilt in 1845.

CSI: MIAMI  RANKS #4 AMONG AFRICAN AMERICAN VIEWERS IN NIELSEN MEDIA RATINGS FOR WEEK OF OCTOBER 19TH
Prime-time network television viewership numbers compiled by Nielsen Media Research indicate that for the week of October 19, 2009, CSI: Miami (CBS) ranked #4 among African American viewers with an audience of 1.92 million.

TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE FOR FORD CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND – NASCAR AT HOMESTEAD MIAMI SPEEDWAY ON NOVEMBER 20-22, 2009
 Racing excitement takes over as Ford Championship Weekend – NASCAR kicks into gear November 20-22, 2009. The best seats are available now for Ford Championship Weekend, featuring the series-crowning Championship finales of all three of NASCAR’s top circuits: the Camping World Truck Series (Friday), Nationwide Series (November 21) and Sprint Cup Series (Sunday). For Friday night’s Truck Championship, all kids 12 and under will be admitted FREE; on Saturday for the Nationwide Championship, all kids 12 and under are just $15; and for Sunday’s Sprint Cup Championship, adult tickets start at just $55.  Ticket Office: (866) 409-RACE. For more information, visit www.HomesteadMiamiSpeedway.com.

MIAMI ATTRACTIONS MONTH EXTENDED THROUGH NOVEMBER 30TH – SEE SPECIAL OFFERS AT WWW.EVERYONESAKID.COM
Good news! The GMCVB’s Miami Attractions Month has been extended for an extra month. Miami Attractions Month will now run through November 30, 2009, offering discounts on admission to Miami’s top attractions and generating greater public awareness of Miami attractions through a dedicated website, www.EveryonesAKid.com. This new marketing program is designed to attract more visitors and entice locals to experience Greater Miami and the Beaches’ many unique attractions. Grab your friends and family and be a kid again!

SAVE THE DATE: NEXT GMCVB MEMBER MIXER IS TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17TH ABOARD THE BISCAYNE LADY YACHT ON MIAMI BEACH
Join us Tuesday, November 17, 2009 aboard the Biscayne Lady for a wonderful evening of networking and enjoying the beauty of Miami by water.  Biscayne Lady Yacht Charters is docked across from the Eden Roc Hotel at 4525 Collins Avenue on Miami Beach. Enjoy hosted hors d’oeuvres, wine, beer and a Cash Liquor Bar. Parking:  $10 valet parking with validation at Eden Roc or Public Parking Lot just north of Eden Roc. Entertainment provided by Nicole Shelley Models; dessert provided by Cupcakes Changing the World.

Schedule: 
6-7 p.m. - Onboard Dockside Reception
7-8 p.m. – Yacht Cruise through Intracoastal Waterway

We look forward to seeing GMCVB Members for a memorable Mixer aboard the Biscayne Lady!

 “MIAMI:  WHERE WORLDS MEET” CONTINUES TO SHOWCASE MIAMI AS THE IDEAL DESTINATION FOR BUSINESS, VACATION AND MEETINGS
The GMCVB in partnership with American Airlines, Miami-Dade County, The Beacon Council, The Downtown Development Authority,  Baptist Health South Florida , the Port of Miami and Miami International Airport  recently promoted the second phase of the multifaceted "Miami: Where Worlds Meet" initiative in Toronto, Canada. The global marketing campaign is aimed at Canada, Brazil and New York and promotes Miami-Dade County as a dynamic, world-class destination for business, vacation and meetings.  Canada ranked #1 for overnight international visitors to Greater Miami and the Beaches in 2008 and generated an economic impact of $743 million.

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 will be eligible for a free platinum Miami Beach INcard.  As bearers of either a black (residents) or platinum (non-residents) Miami Beach INcard, Miami Beach residents and visitors will select from a menu of special discount opportunities at local Miami Beach and South Florida businesses that can be viewed on www.MiamiBeachINcard.com. The cards will have no expiration date. For additional information on the Miami Beach INcard, or to join the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce, contact Valerie Rasken, Miami Beach INcard Coordinator, at (305) 695-6833 or email Valerie@MiamiBeachChamber.com.  To register for the Miami Beach INcard, please visit www.MiamiBeachINcard.com.

GMCVB’S MEDIA RELATIONS HOSTS CANADIAN COLUMNIST FROM THE GLOBE AND MAIL
On the outset of the recent Toronto, Canada media reception, GMCVB Media Relations will be assisting a columnist from Canada’s Globe and Mail in Miami prior to departing on a cruise from the Port of Miami. The article will profile a downtown Miami hotel for the paper’s “Sleep Over” column to be printed in December 2009/January 2010. The Globe and Mail is one of the largest Canadian English-language national newspapers. The newspaper is based in Toronto and has bureaus throughout Canada, as well as worldwide. The Globe and Mail delivers Canada's best, deep coverage of major national and international news (circulation: 326,248).   There are daily international, national, sports and entertainment/arts sections. Canada ranked #1 for international overnight visitors to Greater Miami in 2008 and generated an economic impact of $743 million.

GMCVB’S TOURISM SALES HOSTING FAMILIARIZATION TOUR FROM ARGENTINA
GMCVB’s Tourism Sales is hosting a group of travel agents from Argentina, November 16-19, 2009. This will be a great opportunity for them to experience Greater Miami and the Beaches firsthand and to learn about the new offerings in our destination. Argentina ranked #4 for overnight international visitors to Greater Miami and the Beaches in 2008 and generated an economic impact of $721 million.

GMCVB’S MEDIA RELATIONS ASSISTS FREELANCE WRITER FOR TRAVEL+ LEISURE ONLINE STORY
GMCVB Media Relations assisted a freelance writer working on a story for TravelandLeisure.com on a last-minute assignment about where celebrities "winter" and some great/exclusive places that they have visited in Miami during the winter months in the last couple of years.  This journalist also frequently places for OK! Magazine (circulation/audience: 900,000), Passport Magazine (circulation/audience: 72,062), and Budget Travel among other publications. Travel + Leisure is a luxury travel magazine covering the newest and the best in travel, including a broad range of subjects such as food, shopping, business travel and technology (circulation: 960,147). Stories often mention exclusive locations and where celebrities and the wealthy vacation.

GMCVB’S MEDIA RELATIONS ASSISTS FREELANCE TRAVEL AND FOOD WRITER IN MIAMI THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 16, 2009
GMCVB Media Relations is assisting a freelance travel and food writer in Miami conducting research for new story ideas about Miami’s dining scene. This writer has been published in over 50 magazines and newspapers including AAA Going Places,  Bridal Guide, Budget Travel, Celebrated Living, Chicago Sun-Times, Continental, Destination Weddings & Honeymoons, Elle, Essence, Fitness, Fit, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle Weddings, Luxury Travel, New York Magazine, Philadelphia Style, Real Simple, Self, Sierra, Spa, Town & Country, Travel & Leisure.com and Virtuoso Life.

GMCVB’S IN HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE FOR GERMANY ATTENDS VISIT USA CONSUMER SHOW IN LEIPZIG, GERMANY
The GMCVB will join the literature distribution program offered by the Visit USA Committee Germany at the USA-booth at the consumer show in Leipzig, November 18-22, 2009. The show, called Tourstik and Caravaning, is the most important regional consumer show in that part of Germany. The Miami fold-out map in German will be on display and for distribution there. This consumer show in Leipzig is part of a series of five consumer shows throughout Germany in the same format and under the umbrella of the Visit USA Committee Germany.  Germany ranked #3 for overnight international visitors to Greater Miami and the Beaches in 2008 and generated an economic impact of $660 million.

GMCVB’S MEDIA RELATIONS ASSISTING FRENCH LIFESTYLE MAGAZINES, SUB YU AND BEAUTERAMA
GMCVB Media Relations staff is assisting Thierry Vasseur, Chief Editor for Sub Yu magazine and his photographer, November 17-20, 2009.  Sub Yu is a consumer monthly magazine and website which targets 28 to 52 year olds and reports on culture, science, fashion and travel. The magazine has a monthly distribution of 54,000 and the website receives approximately 350,000 daily visits.  The magazine also issues a special poster each month which sells an estimated 2,000 copies in Paris, France. In addition to the article that is planned for Sub Yu, Mr. Vasseur will be doing research for a destination story for a new magazine, Beauterama which will debut in 2010.  The high fashion lifestyle magazine will be distributed monthly with a special travel supplement distributed tri-annually and is expected to have a circulation of approximately 30,000. France ranked #9 for overnight international visitors to Greater Miami and the Beaches in 2008 and generated an economic impact of $657 million.

LE MÉRIDIEN HOTEL IN SUNNY ISLES BEACH REBRANDED AS MARENAS RESORT
 Le Méridien hotel in Sunny Isles Beach has been rebranded. Benchmark Hospitality International announced the addition of the newly renamed Marenas Resort to the company’s expanding portfolio.  The rebranding of this exquisite oceanside resort marks a new beginning for the property, which originally opened as Le Méridien. The Marenas Resort’s new name draws from its location, evoking the sea and the sand - mar y arenas - in Spanish.  The property is situated oceanside on a 2.5-mile stretch of white sand beach in Sunny Isles Beach, on a barrier island between the Atlantic and the Intracoastal Waterway.  Marenas Resort’s striking stainless steel and glass hotel tower includes 48 first-class guestrooms as well as 142 one- and two-bedroom suites, each with a full kitchen and spacious contemporary interiors.  The property’s sophisticated European Spa offers a menu of treatments designed to enhance guests’ wellbeing.  A state-of-the-art Health Club is complemented with the resort’s beautiful outdoor pool. For more information, visit www.MarenasResortMiami.com.

MIAMI BEACH CONVENTION CENTER UPDATE…
The City of Miami Beach and Miami-Dade County have executed the General Obligation Bond Grant Agreement for the initial phase of funding for master planning the expansion and enhancement of the Miami Beach Convention Center.  The City of Miami Beach is in the process of executing an Agreement with Arquitectonica, who will responsible for the Master Plan.  Arquitectonica’s work is expected to take approximately six months from the time they begin.  A kick-off meeting for the Master Plan is currently being scheduled and should take place in December.  In the meantime, the City and Global Spectrum continue to make improvements to the current facility, which include renovation of the escalators and elevators, airwalls, replacement of air handlers, sound system upgrades and other electrical upgrades.

**THIS WEEK AT MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT [MIA]…

MIA’S North Terminal Phase I Now Open to the Public
Phase I of Miami International Airport’s North Terminal, the “front door” of MIA for American Airlines passengers that includes new areas for curbside check-in, ticket agent and self-service check-in and domestic baggage claim, opened for business on Thursday, November 5.

American Airlines relocated its operations last week to the new, 290,000-square-foot area, which features 58 ticket agent positions, 66 self-service check-in devices, 14 curbside check-in positions and two new security checkpoints that provide fast and easy access to North Terminal’s newly completed gates. 

MIA’s Rental Car Center scheduled to open April 2010
Travelers will soon have a quicker, easier way to rent a car when they arrive at Miami International Airport.  The airport’s Rental Car Center (RCC), part of the future Miami Intermodal Center (MIC), is scheduled to open in April 2010.  Just one mile east of MIA on Le Jeune Road, the RCC has four levels, each 20 acres in size, with space to accommodate up to 6,500 vehicles and 20 rental car companies. The first three levels are dedicated to storage and maintenance operations and the fourth will accommodate a spacious service lobby where each rental car company will have its own sales counter. All rental car companies currently operating inside MIA and many located nearby will relocate into the RCC.

A consolidated shuttle service will run between the RCC and MIA until it is replaced in 2011 by the MIA Mover, an automated people mover system with the capacity to transport more than 3,000 passengers per hour between the two facilities.  For more information, visit www.MICDOT.com.

ATTENTION GMCVB MEMBERS: POLE BANNERS FOR SUPER BOWL AND PRO BOWL AVAILABLE TO ORDER
The South Florida Super Bowl XLIV Host Committee is offering businesses an opportunity to purchase a variety of limited edition Pro Bowl and Super Bowl banners. These banners are called “Super Bowl XLIV/2010 Pro Bowl Banners Presence Program” – courtesy of the NFL and the South Florida Super Bowl Host Committee. The colorful orange and blue banners are available in different sizes, and feature Pro Bowl and Super Bowl game logos printed on polyester fabric with pole sleeves on top and bottom. These banners can help decorate hotel lobbies, check out lanes, employee areas, building exteriors, bars, restaurants, or any other area to get into the 2010 Pro Bowl and Super Bowl XLIV spirit. The Pro Bowl game is on January 31, 2010. It is the first time the Pro Bowl is being played outside of Hawaii in 30 years and the first time in 35 years it’s been in South Florida. The Super Bowl XLIV game is on February 7, 2010. Both games are right around the corner and these banners will be a way to attract over 100,000 visitors that are expected to be in South Florida for the two games. Note: Banners must be ordered by December 4, 2009. For more information, contact Nan Markowitz at the South Florida Super Bowl Host Committee at (305) 614-7557.

HELP US BRING THE FIFA WORLD CUP™ SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP TO MIAMI! SIGN THE ELECTRONIC PETITION AT WWW.GOUSABID.COM
Greater Miami and the Beaches is very excited to be one of 27 finalist cities in contention for the USA’s bid to host the FIFA World Cup™ soccer championship. But we need your help to make it happen:  with your support we can increase our odds of being part of the final bid. One of the goals of the USA Bid Committee is to obtain a minimum of 50,000 electronic signatures on an online petition from each finalist city that ultimately will be sent to the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA).  In an effort to obtain these 50,000 signatures to bring the World Cup to the United States and in turn Miami, we are asking that you please visit the www.GoUSABid.com  website to sign the petition. Thank you for helping us bring this world-class sporting event to Miami!

19TH ANNUAL SOUTH FLORIDA TOURISM PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR LUNCHEON IS THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19TH AT HYATT REGENCY MIAMI
The Hyatt Regency Miami and the Academy of Hospitality & Tourism Advisory Board will host the 19th Annual South Florida Tourism Professional of the Year & Business and Education Champion Recognition Luncheon on Thursday, November 19, 2009. Keynote speaker is Roger Dow, President and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association.  The event begins at 11:30 a.m. Tables for 10 are $550; individual tickets are $65.  Please call 305/995-7379 for tickets and information. Hyatt Regency Miami is located at 400 Southeast Second Avenue.

SUPER BOWL HOST COMMITTEE KICK OFF LUNCHEON IS MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2009 AT LAND SHARK STADIUM
Get into the Super Bowl spirit! The Super Bowl Host Committee Kickoff Luncheon with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will take place on Monday, December 7, 2009 at Land Shark Stadium from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $44 in advance and will only be sold until December 1st.  Payment is by cash and check only (no credit cards). Tickets will not be sold at the door. For tickets, please contact Myra Berk at (305) 614-7555 or MBerk@SouthFloridaSuperBowl.com.

MIAMI MUSIC FESTIVAL TO TAKE PLACE DECEMBER 10-12, 2009
The inaugural Miami Music Festival will take place December 10-12, 2009. The two-pronged event is a performance festival and music industry conference. Live performances from several genres including Latin, urban, Caribbean and jazz will be staged in the Brickell/Downtown area at Transit Lounge, Tobacco Road, Waxy O’Connors, the Hard Rock Café and other venues. The conference will take place at the James L. Knight Center. The Miami Music Festival is being supported by the GMCVB, the Miami-Dade County Film & Entertainment Office, Miami Downtown Development Authority, Miami-Dade Department of Cultural Affairs, and The City of Miami Mayor’s Office of Film and Cultural Affairs. For more information, please visit  www.MiamiMusicFestival.org.

ORANGE BOWL COMMITTEE SEEKS AMBASSADORS FOR THE 76TH ANNUAL FEDEX ORANGE BOWL, AT DOLPHIN STADIUM JANUARY 5, 2010
The Orange Bowl Committee’s Ambassador Program is seeking volunteers for The 76th FedEx Orange Bowl taking place on Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at Dolphin Stadium.  The success of one of college football’s biggest events depends entirely on the support of our South Florida communities.  To register to volunteer for The 76th FedEx Orange Bowl and/or any other upcoming events, call (305) 341-4748 or email Volunteer@OrangeBowl.org. For a list of all upcoming Orange Bowl Festival Events please visit www.OrangeBowl.org/Festival.

PRO BOWL TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR JANUARY 31ST GAME
Get your tickets now! The Pro Bowl is coming to South Florida on January 31, 2010. The game will be played at Dolphin Stadium (also known as Land Shark Stadium). Tickets are now available to the public for purchase. Cost:  $50 to $195!  For more information on the 2010 Pro Bowl and Super Bowl XLIV visit www.SouthFloridaSuperBowl.com.

SUPER BOWL SPONSORSHIPS NOW AVAILABLE! REACH OVER 1 BILLION PEOPLE WHEN SOUTH FLORIDA HOSTS SUPER BOWL XLIV ON FEBRUARY 7, 2010
All eyes will be on South Florida when we host the world's largest one-day sporting event on February 7, 2010 at Land Shark Stadium — Super Bowl XLIV. Want to play? The South Florida Super Bowl Host Committee is offering customized sponsorship and hospitality opportunities that can affiliate your business with this world-wide event that reaches over 1 billion people annually.  To learn more about sponsorship and marketing opportunities please visit www.SouthFloridaSuperbowl.com/Sponsors/Information.

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!
                        
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 Kathy Gimenez, (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.