What's Happening @ Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau

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MONDAY, 16 MAY 2016 Today's High Temp: 85° F/30.5° C Miami Beach Surf Temp: 78° F/25.5° C MAY TEMPTATION During May, all visitors and locals will be offered "Buy One, Get One Free" admission at participating museums. Also, during this month-long program, membership at any one of these participating museums will work as a free pass to any of the other museums. For more GMCVB Marketing Programs, visit MiamiTemptations.com. MAY IS HAITIAN HERITAGE MONTH! Haitian Heritage Month is a nationally dedicated time where the Haitian community celebrates the culture and traditions of Haiti. The celebration is an expansion of the Haitian Flag Day on May 18, a major patriotic day celebration in Haiti and the Diaspora created to encourage patriotism. Click here to visit the Little Haiti Cultural Center's website and learn about special celebrations taking place this month. DID YOU KNOW... Miami-Dade Art in Public Places, established in 1973, was one of the first public art programs in the country. Through the years, the Miami-Dade Art in Public Places Trust has acquired or commissioned over 700 works of art and gained international recognition as a leader in its field. Artworks are installed countywide at diverse sites. MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (MIA) #1 in Airline Carriers in the U.S. MIA Digital Magazine Wins Communicator Award Miami International Airport’s MIA Connections digital magazine was recognized on April 26 with a Communicator Award under the magazine website category. Published by HCP/Aboard Publishing for the Miami-Dade Aviation Department, the quarterly e-magazine won the Award of Distinction, which is presented to projects that exceed industry standards in quality and achievement. PORTMIAMI Cruise Capital of the World™ Always was. Always will be. Carnival Corporation's Fathom Adonia Begins Historic Cuba Service from PortMiami After months of anticipation, the Fathom Adonia (Fathom is one of Carnival Cruise Line’s newest brands) departed PortMiami bound for Cuba on Sunday, May 1. The itinerary includes visits to three historic Cuban Cities including Havana, Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba. GMCVB EVENTS & PARTNER OPPORTUNITIES GMCVB Partnership Networking Luncheon Wednesday, May 18, 2016 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Peacock Garden Cafe MacFarlane Road Coconut Grove, FL 33133 USA GMCVB Partnership Networking Mixer Thursday, May 26, 2016 6 - 8 p.m. SoHo Bay 520 West Ave. Miami Beach, FL 33139 USA MIAMI SPORTS TOURISM UPDATES The GMCVB Miami Sports Tourism Team seeks to attract, promote and retain premier sporting events in Miami-Dade County. Here's what's new in sports for Greater Miami and the Beaches: Colombia vs. Haiti International Soccer Friendly at Marlins Park The Colombian National Team will square off against the Haitian National Team on Sunday, May 29 at Marlins Park. The friendly match will be one of the final tune-ups for the two nations before the Copa America Centenario held June 3-26 in the United States. CUSTOMER SERVICE CORNER Miami Begins with Me Customer Service Champion Program Register today for our June 2 training session! GETTING AROUND TOWN The Latest on Miami-Dade Transit Want to know when the next Metrorail train or bus is arriving? Well, there's an app for that! Miami-Dade Transit's MDT Tracker app allows you to get comprehensive real-time information on Transit services right from the palm of your hand. Simply select Metrobus, Metrorail or Metromover and check schedules and arrival times.  By downloading the MDT Tracker, you will have the most up-to-date and accurate route and schedule information free of charge. Download the Miami-Dade Transit’s Tracker App on your iPhone or Android or visit MDT's mobile site to get started. VIP Service AFFORDABLE LUXURY arrived at MIA Curbside with the launch of SUPERSHUTTLE'S Mercedes Benz Black Sprinters. Travelers can enjoy VIP service at an affordable price. The premium service offers upscale, private transportation to and from the airport, business meeting, social event or around town. You can book your Sprinter at any SuperShuttle kiosk at MIA or by calling 305/871-2000.   More Options Than Ever No matter where you’re headed, getting around Miami and Beaches is easier than ever thanks to new and exciting transportation options. From the Citi Bike program operated by DECOBIKE to the free trolley service available in several neighborhoods, quality taxi and limousine service and the ultra-convenient Miami METROMOVER and METRORAIL including direct service to MIA—we promise you’ll get there. Miami will soon enjoy access to high speed rail thanks to the new GoBrightline train service connecting the destination with other major cities in Florida. Digitally Dispatched Car Sharing Services The popularity of this type of service available through mobile apps continues to grow for companies such as UBER, which is now available in 45 countries and more than 270 cities around the world. A similar service is offered by LYFT in more than 90 cities enabling passengers who need a ride to request one from drivers who have an available car. Get a Taxi in One App ZabCab, ZabCab Driver, and ZabCab Front Desk are companion apps for consumers, drivers and businesses. They work together to help passengers find taxis – and taxi drivers to find passengers – quickly and easily from a smartphone. They are available to download at the App Store and Google Play. CORPORATE PARTNER ANNIVERSARIES A strong CVB begins with a strong partnership base. The support of our corporate partners aids us in promoting Greater Miami and the Beaches to the world. Join us in recognizing the GMCVB's Corporate Partners who are celebrating their membership anniversary this month: BIRTHDAYS The GMCVB wishes a happy birthday to our friends and family... GMCVB PHOTO ALBUM GMCVB Team members are busy selling and promoting Greater Miami and The Beaches at home and around the world. Click through to see recent photos of the GMCVB Team in action and tap on the photos for captions.  RESOURCE CENTER Travel Updates • Mobile Passport Control App at Miami International Airport (MIA) • Get in the Fast Lane at MIA! TSA Pre-Check Now Available for Southwest Airlines and JetBlue Local Interest • Florida Tax Watch Study Details Benefits of Expanding Florida Tourism • National Travel and Tourism a Big Win for Industry COUNTDOWN Days until: 2 18th Annual Haitian Compas Festival 16 Miami Film Month 39 Seven Seas Explorer begins PortMiami service 46 Miami Spa Month 146 Miami Broward Carnival 202 Carnival Vista arrives at PortMiami 395 WorldOutGames 2017 421 MLB Midsummer Classic 88th All-Star Game ABOUT THE PUBLISHER William D. Talbert III, CDME President and CEO, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau Download Outlook® V-Card Newsletter Archive | Story Archive TOP STORY - RECORD MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT ARRIVALS MARCH 2016 During the months of March 2016, domestic passenger arrivals into Miami International Airport (MIA) increased by 6.9 percent compared to 2015. International passenger arrivals increased by 2.4 percent while total passenger arrivals increased 4.8 percent compared to the same time last year. Record MIA Passenger Arrivals Domestic Arrivals March 2016 March 2015 % Change vs. 2015 1,087,598 1,017,016 +6.9% International Arrivals March 2016 March 2015 % Change vs. 2015 948,242 926,229 +2.4% Total Arrivals March 2016 March 2015 % Change vs. 2015 2,035,840 1,943,245 +4.8%  HEADLINES THIS WEEK May is Miami Museum Month! During May, visitors and locals can take advantage of “Buy One, Get One Free admission," "Join One Museum, See Them All" and other special offers at participating museums during GMCVB's Miami Museum Month. For more information including participants, special events and exhibits, please visit MiamiMuseumMonth.com. Miami Museum Month is sponsored by Citibank®. First Available Visa Interview Date in São Paulo, Brazil is May 17, 2016 The average wait time in São Paulo, Brazil for a Visa interview appointment in order to visit the USA is currently 1 day. Click through to find out the wait time for other top Brazilian cities. WWE Entertainment Ranks #12 in Nielsen's Cable Top 25 Ratings for the Week Ending May 8, 2016 WWE's WrestleMania Week drew record-breaking crowds to Miami and Beaches in April 2012. GMCVB President & CEO to Present "State of the Travel and Tourism Industry" at Miami-Dade County Commission Meeting on May 17, 2016 As part of National Tourism Month, GMCVB President & CEO William D. Talbert, III, CDME will provide the Miami-Dade County Commission with an update on the Travel and Tourism Industry in Greater Miami and the Beaches. GMCVB President & CEO to Attend the Education Fund’s Public School Alumni Achievement Awards Honoring Arthur Hertz, GMCVB Executive Committee Board Member and Finance Committee Chair On May 18, 2016 GMCVB President & CEO William D. Talbert, III, CDME will attend the Education Fund’s Public School Alumni Achievement Awards at the Miami Airport Convention Center. This year’s event will bestow Wometco Enterprises, Inc. Chairman & CEO Arthur H. Hertz with the first Public School Alumnus of Distinction Award. 18th Annual Haitian Compas Festival Returns to Bayfront Park May 18, 2016 The 18th Annual Haitian Compas Festival is the largest gathering of Haitian music fans in the United States. It has been ranked among the Best in Live Music Entertainment events by Billboard Magazine. Returning back to its original location at Bayfront Park in beautiful Downtown Miami on May 18, the festival attracts over 25,000 patrons annually. GMCVB President & CEO to be Featured Speaker at Doral Chamber of Commerce Power Business Networking Luncheon on May 19, 2016 GMCVB President & CEO William D. Talbert, III, CDME will be a featured speaker at the upcoming Doral Chamber of Commerce Power Business Networking Luncheon on-board the Carnival’s Sensation ship. GMCVB President & CEO will be Featured Guest on Pete De La Torre's "The Voice of Business Miami" Radio Show on May 19, 2016 GMCVB President & CEO William D. Talbert, III, CDME will be a featured guest on Pete De La Torre’s “The Voice of Business Miami” show on May 19, 2016. Mr. Talbert will be promoting the newest happenings in Greater Miami and Beaches, including Miami Museum Month, signature attractions and events, the Miami Beach Convention Center renovation and the business of tourism. 37th Hemispheric Congress of Latin Chambers of Commerce Set for June 6-9, 2016 at the Biltmore Hotel, Coral Gables CAMACOL, the Latin Chamber of Commerce of U.S.A., will hold its 37th Annual Hemispheric Congress event June 6-9, 2016 at the Biltmore Hotel, Coral Gables. Visit 25 countries in three days! Meet and conduct business with many world leaders at this exclusive event.  GMCVB UPDATES Advertising & Digital Marketing International Website Visitation Nearly Doubles For the months of March and April, the GMCVB’s international websites show an overall increase of 45 percent in visitation year-over-year due to new and enhanced editorial content. Always On Campaign The “Always On” digital campaign retargets individuals who have visited the GMCVB’s website, driving them to the Special Offers page with the goal of driving more clicks to partners for sale. #MiamiMuseum Month Annual Pass Giveaway In celebration of May’s Miami Museum Month, the GMCVB is giving social media fans a chance to win 2 annual membership passes at a participating Miami Museum Month of their choosing. Travel Industry Sales GMCVB Northeast Sales Office News GMCVB Northeast Travel Industry Sales Team will travel to Philadelphia to participate in the American Airlines Vacations Product Launch trade show on May 19. Last week, the Team participated in the Hartford Courant Daytrips & Destinations Travel Agent Reception held May 13. Promote your business domestically and abroad! Sign up now for GMCVB Travel Industry Sales Missions. Spots are quickly filling for the following opportunities: Cruise360 June 1-6, 2016 IPW (New Orleans) June 18-22, 2016 Convention Sales & Services GMCVB Convention Sales Sells Greater Miami to Society of Government Meeting Planners GMCVB Convention Sales Team is preparing to attend the Annual Conference of Society of Government Meeting Professionals in San Diego, CA USA May 17-19, 2016. GMCVB Convention Sales Team Attends the Capital Events Trade Show and FSAE May Power Luncheon GMCVB Convention Sales Team will participate in the Florida Society of Association Executives (FSAE) Capital Events Trade Show on May 17, 2016. Capital Events is a trade, appointment-based show where the Team will host one-on-one appointments with 20 of the 60 meeting planners in attendance. GMCVB Washington D.C. Sales Office News GMCVB Convention Sales Team will attend the annual industry partner review hosted by the Association of American Medical Colleges at their offices on May 19, 2016. The Team will also attend a monthly meeting for The Potomac Chapter of Meeting Professionals International (PMPI) later that evening. Media Relations & Promotions GMCVB Media Relations Hosts China’s Numero Magazine GMCVB Media Relations Team will be hosting the editor of China’s Numero magazine while covering Miami’s unique art scene May 16-19, 2016. Interviews with local artists will be featured. The editor will experience Sunny Isles, Little Havana, Coconut Grove, Design District, Wynwood, Little Haiti and more. GMCVB Media Relations Hosts Mexican Family Travel Blogger GMCVB Media Relations Team will be hosting a Mexican blogger and influencer May 19-13, 2016 who will be in town highlighting family travel as she travels with her family. They will experience kid-friendly outdoor attractions (Jungle Island, Seaquarium and PAMM) and wellness options. GMCVB Media Relations Hosts “Miami: On Location” Pan-European Press Tour GMCVB Media Relations Team will be hosting a group of five European journalists from select publications from the UK, Germany, France, Italy and Scandinavia for the “Miami: On Location” themed Pan-European group press trip May 17-21, 2016.  Multicultural Tourism & Development GMCVB Multicultural Tourism Vice President Attends the National Museum of African American Music’s Legends Lunch GMCVB Multicultural Tourism Vice President Connie Kinnard attended The National Museum of African American Music’s Legends Lunch in Nashville, TN USA on May 6. Ms. Kinnard was there to honor and support music legends Gamble & Huff, John Platz and Chairman & Co-Founder of TV One and Radio One Cathy Hughes. GMCVB Supports Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for Florida Memorial University’s New Wellness & Event Center GMCVB Multicultural Tourism Vice President Connie Kinnard attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Florida Memorial University’s new Wellness & Event Center on May 12, 2016. The facility will serve as a space for recreation and will also be available for public events. Global Network News GMCVB representatives domestically and all around the globe promote Greater Miami as the premier destination for leisure and business. Read their updates here. • Caribbean • Europe • Latin America • United States & Canada  CALENDAR OF EVENTS May Through 5/31 Miami Museum Month 5/18 SoundScape Cinema Series: Forrest Gump (1994) 5/19 Dance Now! Masterpiece in Motion: LACRYMOSA 5/19 PAMM Third Thursdays 5/19-5/21 Dance Now! Masterpiece in Motion: Lacrymosa 5/20 MCM Target Free 3rd Fridays 5/21 18th Annual Haitian Compas Festival 5/21 Combat Hippies - Seminole Showcase Series 5/21 iHeartRadio Summer Pool Party at Fontainebleau 5/21 Leon Foster Thomas 5/25 SoundScape Cinema Series: Independence Day (1996) 5/25 Speaking Sustainability Film Series 5/26-5/30 Sizzle Miami 2016 5/28 Brandy Clark - Seminole Showcase Series 5/28-5/29 Memorial Day Weekend Key Biscayne Kayak Adventure 5/28-5/29 Miami Beach Kundalini Yoga Festival Weekend 5/29 Best of the Best Music Concert 5/31-6/3 3rd Annual Cam Con 2016  MEETINGS AND CONVENTIONS Meetings & Conventions Meeting Date Venue Attend. Tone It Up - 2016 5/16-5/22 Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami 350 International Technology Law Association - ITechLaw 2016 Meeting 5/17-5/22 Trump International Beach Resort 200 Professional Research Consultants - 2016 Excellence in Healthcare Conference 5/18-5/20 Loews Miami Beach Hotel 350 South Florida Sports Foundation Inc. 5/19-5/22 Royal Palm South Beach Miami 1,500 American Welding Society - 2016 Board of Directors 5/20-5/25 Trump National Doral Miami 120 Nuclear Energy Institute - 2016 Nuclear Energy Assembly 5/20-5/26 Trump National Doral Miami 900 Dynamic Conferences & Events Ltd. - Baker Tilly International North America & Latin 5/21-5/23 Mandarin Oriental, Miami 225