MULTICULTURAL MIAMI

Hospitality industry & Education

Groundhog Job Shadow Day - February 2

On February 2, join hundreds of thousands of workplaces around the country in hosting students to observe and engage in work-based learning activities. This event is hosted locally by Miami-Dade County Public Schools Department of Career & Technical Education. GMCVB partners are invited to join in this annual job shadow day. Students can participate in-person or virtually, and can take place throughout the month of February. If you have any questions, contact Julie Kennedy.

Women Leading Travel & Hospitality Miami Roundtable

Join the Women Leading Travel & Hospitality Roundtable for this regional event that brings together local travel and hospitality executives for an evening of networking and education. Focused on both business strategy and executive professional development, the roundtable, taking place on February 7, provides the opportunity to discuss industry issues and learn how to become better leaders. Click here for more details.

SAVE THE DATE - Greater Miami & the Beaches Hotel Association Evening Networker

Join The Greater Miami & the Beaches Hotel Association (GMBHA) for mingling and cocktails at our evening networker. Event will take place on March 15 at Rakija Lounge at the Kent Hotel. Registration is now open. Click here for additional information.

SAVE THE DATE - Greater Miami & the Beaches Hotel Association 27th Annual Inn Key Awards Luncheon

The Inn Key Awards Luncheon is the Greater Miami & the Beaches Hotel Association largest annual event of the year. Join us as we take pleasure in honoring over 350 incredibly dedicated and hard working hotel employees accross Miami Dade County. Event will be held on April 20 at the Intercontinental Miami. Learn more here.

Petra Brennan Recognized in MIA Legacy Magazine

The latest issue of Legacy Magazine promotes the region’s Black women achievers, confirming that South Florida elevates the expectations in corporate and community settings. Congratulations to our very own Petra Brennan, Director of Tourism Business Enhancement, who is recognized as one of the Most Influential and Prominent Black Women in Business and Industry. The Legacy honorees embody dedication, prestige, honor, service, class and leadership. Link to article.

GMCVB New Website and Vacation Guide

The new version of the bureau's website, MiamiandMiamiBeach.com, along with the new edition of the Greater Miami and Miami Beach Vacation Guide are now available. They were launched at a special holiday networking breakfast in December hosted at The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science.

U.S. Travel Launches #TheyWaitWeLose Campaign to Reduce Visa Wait Times

Did you know that Visitor Visa wait times average a staggering 400+ days for first-time applicants from some of the largest countries for inbound travel? This creates a de facto travel ban deterring potential visitors from abroad while hurting businesses here in the United States, especially here in Florida. U.S. Travel will continue to elevate the issues surrounding excessive visa wait times with its just launched “They Wait, We Lose” activation. This effort includes a custom website, in English and other languages, to capture the perspectives of potential visitors as well as U.S. businesses. It is also launching on multiple social media platforms using the hashtag #TheyWaitWeLose. Please click here to learn more.

Café Bustelo & Pilon announce $1.25 million gift to FIU Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management and FIU CasaCuba

Café Bustelo & Pilon, coffee brands in The J.M. Smucker Co. portfolio, have announced a $1.25 million gift to Florida International University benefiting student scholarships, the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management and the construction of FIU CasaCuba. A portion of the gift will create the Café Bustelo® El Café Del Futuro Scholarship for students studying hospitality management. Additional support will fund the development of new curricula and master classes at the Chaplin School that examine the coffee industry. Café Bustelo will be recognized as a founding partner of the Chaplin School’s new coffee program and a partner in the school’s ongoing effort to expand food and beverage education that is focused on consumer experience and education, research and sustainability. Learn more here.

Miami Beach Bans Cigarette Smoking at Public Beaches and Parks

Citing health and environmental benefits, the Miami Beach City Commission voted today to ban cigarette smoking and other tobacco products on the city’s public beaches and public parks. The new ordinance carries a $100 fine or up to 60 days in jail for the first violation within a 12-month period. The ordinance took effect on Sunday, January 1. Learn more here.

MIA Now Offering Pre-scheduled TSA Screening Times

A new pilot program at MIA aims to streamline the TSA security process. For the next six months, American Airlines passengers will be able to pre-schedule a time (and therefore bypass the regular line) to pass through Miami International’s TSA Checkpoint 4 using MIA Reserve, a free reservation service. Reservations can be made up to 72 hours before departure for two different two-hour timeframes (one early morning, one afternoon). TSA PreCheck passengers are not eligible, but groups of up to 10 passengers can use the service on a single reservation. The pilot program aims to offer a “more predictable” security experience as the airport continues to see record passenger traffic. Learn more.

GMCVB Offers Free 360° Video Program to Partners

We have partnered with Threshold 360 to create a 360° interactive video of your property for your listing on our website at no cost to you. Using a tripod and 360° camera, the creator will create a 360° experience of your property, including any event spaces that are available to capture. Your customers and staff can be present, and no staging is required. Learn more here.

FIU Leads Alliance to Build Hospitality Pipeline for Underrepresented Minority Students and Diverse Leadership in Hospitality

A bold, new initiative is under way across the U.S. to create a pathway for Black and Hispanic students to become future leaders in hospitality, one of the world’s largest industries. The Alliance for Hospitality Equity and Diversity (AHED), led by the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University (FIU), is on a mission to create a nationwide recruitment infrastructure to increase diversity among students at member universities. Read more.

Historic Virginia Key Beach Park Webcam

The GMCVB has added a beautiful new view to our family of Greater Miami & Miami Beach webcams. Introducing the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park webcam. A scenic and historic island oasis with a special significance for our black community. Explore the mile-long shoreline, bike and nature trails, and visit the vintage carousel with the kids.

Miami Named in World's Greatest Places of 2022

Miami has emerged as the U.S. capital of cool! We are honored that TIME Magazine has named Miami as one of the World's Greatest Places of 2022. Miami also ranked 38th on Time Out Magazine's list of 53 Best Cities in the World for 2022. The GMCVB looks forward to continuing to market Greater Miami and Miami Beach as a premier destination!

TripAdvisor’s Annual Best of the Best Awards

The results have just been announced for top destinations in the annual TripAdvisor Best of the Best Awards. Miami & Miami Beach ranked in top honors in the travel categories of Best Overall Experience, Best Food and Most Popular. Congratulations to all who promote and deliver the overall diverse experiences in our truly unique destination that has it all. Learn more here.

Free Virtual Hospitality Trainings

Forbes Travel Guide, the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority (MBVCA) and the Greater Miami & The Beaches Hotel Association invite you to participate in their free online hospitality training program. The Forbes Travel Guide Online Training program for Miami Beach based employees has learning paths customized for employees’ specific tasks within an organization. Click here to learn more.

MIAMI-Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau