When 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 24ºC 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.” More information: www.MiamiandMiamiBeach.com or visit www.MiamiMeetings.com.
