Miami Beach Convention Center Holds First Meeting Since Pandemic

October 28, 2020

On Oct. 21, Miami Beach Convention Center hosted The Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau Annual Meeting, the first event to take place at the venue since it reopened in October after closing due to the pandemic in April

The facility’s 60,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom was well-equipped to accommodate social distancing for 200 in-person guests. MBCC worked with Smart City Networks and Everlast Productions to also create a seamless livestream for an additional 478 virtual participants. All participants attending in-person were subject to a temperature screening, and facial coverings were required throughout the entire event.

“In hand with our GMCVB partners, the event was a great opportunity to successfully demonstrate proof of concept for hybrid events and venue safety measures,” said Freddie Peterson, general manager of MBCC.

At the event, the GMCVB announced two noteworthy events scheduled to take place in Miami-Dade County: the Latin Grammy Award Show (virtual, but filming in Miami at AmericanAirlines Arena) in November, and the Aesthetic Society convention in April 2021. Attendees also learned more about the status of Miami’s tourism industry and initiatives such as Miami Arts, Culture and Heritage Months, a collection of new virtual and in-person experiences launching in response to Art Basel’s cancellation this year.

For those attending in person, MBCC offered post-meeting tours of the expanded venue, which completed a $620 million renovation in fall 2018. Tours included its recently unveiled recording and livestream suite, Art Deco Studio; artwork from the City of Miami Beach’s Art in Public Places program; and the surrounding green spaces of Collins Canal Park, Pride Park and the Carl Fisher Clubhouse.

MBCC was awarded GBAC STAR Facility Accreditation this fall, providing comprehensive cleaning and disinfection protocols with third-party validation, and participates in the City of Miami Beach’s MB Standard program as well as following all CDC health and safety guidelines.

While November and December events previously scheduled at MBCC— such as America’s Food & Beverage Show, Emerge Americas and Cruiseworld —  have been canceled or postponed, the convention center is scheduled to host multiple large events in early 2021. This includes the Natural Disaster Expo and Miami International Auto Show in February, and World of Travel Trade & Taste in March.

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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