Miami to Move Forward with Convention Center Headquarter Hotel Project
November 19, 2018
Last week, an overwhelming majority of voters from the City of Miami Beach approved the lease of public land for a privately-funded convention headquarter hotel that will be connected to the newly renovated and reimagined $620 million Miami Beach Convention Center.
The yes vote on ballot item No. 388 sets the completion of Greater Miami’s convention center district in motion, according to City officials.
“The City of Miami Beach residents have spoken loud and clear,” said City of Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber. “A super majority of nearly 64 percent is no easy feat and this is a huge victory for the City and for the community.”
He added, “The new privately-funded headquarter hotel will generate funding for educational programs, traffic reduction measures and environmental resiliency projects.”
Considered the missing ingredient in the destination’s meetings and convention package, the privately-funded, 800-room convention headquarter hotel will be an integral part of the convention district that will make Greater Miami more competitive in securing meetings business, thereby fueling more travel and tourism jobs and increasing economic impact to the community, according to William Talbert III, CEO of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB).
“The headquarter hotel connected to the re-imagined Miami Beach Convention Center has been the missing piece in our destination’s world-class meetings and conventions offerings (and) now, the approved HQ hotel will bring important associations and conventions to Miami and the Beaches that would not have considered us an option before,” Talbert said.
He continued, “Now that the voters have spoken, the private developer will go through the City of Miami Beach’s Design Review Board and permitting process. This decision is a landmark moment for meetings in Miami – and meetings mean business!”
As the anchor to Greater Miami’s meetings and conventions industry, the reimagined and expanded MBCC includes a new 60,000 square foot grand ballroom, 500,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space, 84 breakout rooms and a six-acre public park capable of serving as incremental event space.
In September, Miami and the Beaches welcomed The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), the first citywide convention to take advantage of the newly transformed MBCC, followed by The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) Congress, held Oct. 31-Nov. 4.
In just two short months, these conventions generated approximately $10 million in economic impact for the local community, according to GMCVB officials.
“We were fortunate to have early adopters like AHIMA who believed in the destination and booked the reimagined MBCC without a headquarter hotel,” said William D. Talbert III, president and CEO of the GMCVB.
He continued, “We knew they and others like them would not book again without a connected convention hotel. We have a world-class destination and now a world-class convention center package to offer meeting planners and clients.”
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Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact
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