Miami
Meet in Greater Miami & Miami Beach
W hen it comes to mixing business with pleasure , no city does it quite like Miami , where world-class meeting facilities , surrounded by a sophisticated tropical playground , are big draw cards for convention and business travellers , with more than 1.3 million coming over the past year .
With temperatures averaging 24 º C year-round , and 58,000 hotel rooms , Miami has evolved into a meetings destination for all seasons .
Taking care of business The Miami Beach Convention Center ( MBCC ) is fresh from a $ 620m expansion . There is a new 60,000sq . ft ( 5,574sqm ) Grand Ballroom and the MBCC recently received LEED ® Silver certification , while the wider Convention Center District will also feature a new headquarters hotel , the Grand Hyatt Miami Beach , an 800-room property opening 2024 / 25 .
There are plans for an elevated sky bridge connecting the hotel and the convention centre .
The Miami Convention Center , within walking distance to Bayside Marketplace , is another venue option . It has 34 meeting rooms , including a 444-seat auditorium .
Another option is the recently redesigned Miami Airport Convention Center ( MACC ), adjoining the Doubletree Hotel . MACC features 172,000sq . ft of meeting space .
For groups who prefer a more unconventional convention space , one alternative is the Perez Art Museum ( PAMM ). Set in downtown Miami in the Maurice A . Ferré Park , PAMM offers indoor event spaces and an art-inspired experience including private viewings , performances and educational activities . Next door , the
Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science offers activities and receptions within a 250,000sq . ft . facility .
Other intriguing spaces include Miami Beach Botanical Garden and Fairchild Tropical Garden and , down in the South Miami Dade agricultural region , Schnebly Redland ’ s Winery & Brewery , a great entertainment and activity space .
Hotel space The Greater Miami and Miami Beach and the area boasts well 500 hotel properties in a region that is a veritable ‘ Who ’ s Who ’ of major brands , including four hotels from The Ritz-Carlton , JW Marriot Marquis Miami and Conrad Miami .
There is also a roster of stylish independents , such as the Miami Beach EDITION , The Goodtime Hotel owned by Pharrell Williams and David Grutman , and the Grand Beach Hotel ( Miami Beach and Surfside ).
Miami ’ s renowned classic convention resorts have also kept pace . The Fontainebleau Miami Beach and the Eden Roc Miami Beach recently underwent major restorations and the Eden Roc launched the largest Nobu restaurant and bar lounge in the world . Meetings with a side of golf are de rigueur at Trump National Doral
Miami , a 650-acre resort offering five 18-hole championship golf courses and 100,000 sq . ft . of event space .
Downtown Miami has been a hub of development activity in recent years . The AAA Five-Diamond Mandarin Oriental , Miami offers delegates 15,000sq . ft of flexible space , while the $ 379m Four Seasons Hotel Miami on Brickell Avenue raises the bar for luxury business hotels throughout South Florida .
Time to play On America ’ s Riviera , you can zip around sparkling Biscayne Bay on a motorboat , or swim with the dolphins . Biscayne National Park and Everglades National Park offer eco-adventure tours close to the city .
Miami Beach arts districts have helped draw globally renowned events such as Art Basel .
Of course , no playtime in Miami would be complete without the legendary nightlife , but remember : the clubs don ’ t get going until after midnight .
Getting around Miami is smooth . MIA serves 150 cities and delegates can take advantage of Metrorail , Miami-Dade County ’ s 24.4-mile , elevated rapid transit system that connects from MIA to downtown .
Cate Banfield , COO of meetings and incentives specialists Wynford , says :: “ In the energetic city of Miami , managing the diverse cultural influences while embracing its lively nightlife can lead to some pretty incredible and impactful events . From the beaches lining the city to the Wynwood walls art district , each of Miami ’ s diverse neighbourhoods offers unique experiences . Paired with easy airlift from across the globe and competitive rates means this destination is seen at the top of many event wish lists .” n More information : www . MiamiandMiamiBeach . com or visit www . MiamiMeetings . com .
ISSUE 126 / CONFERENCE & MEETINGS WORLD / 31