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Welcome to our monthly newsletter!

This newsletter consists of GMCVB collaborations and business resources available on a local and national level. In addition, it contains a sampling of past department activities and upcoming in-person and virtual events in Greater Miami and Miami Beach.

What's New

Celebrate Black History Month in Greater Miami & Miami Beach 

Celebrate Black History Month with the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) as we honor the achievements, legacy and cultural impact of Black Americans—locally and nationwide. Explore a curated lineup of standout events across Miami-Dade that spotlight music, food, dance, history and art throughout the destination. You can also discover additional community celebrations curated by the Miami-Dade County Black Affairs Advisory Board (BAAB), paying tribute to the rich heritage of the African American Diaspora. Click here to learn more and join the celebration.

South Beach Wine and Food Festival 

A milestone this delicious deserves a grand celebration. The 25th annual Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival® presented by Capital One (SOBEWFF®) returns to Greater Miami & Miami Beach from February 19–22, 2026, promising an unforgettable, silver-anniversary culinary experience. Each year, food lovers from around the globe gather to bask in Miami’s perfect winter weather, savor iconic events on the sands of South Beach, and mingle with Food Network stars alongside more than 500 acclaimed and up-and-coming chefs from Miami and beyond. Net proceeds benefit the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University. Explore the full lineup here.

Soul Beach Food Festival

Celebrate food, culture, and community at the 10th Annual Soul Beach Food Festival on February 7, as Black History Month comes alive along Miami Beach’s iconic shoreline. Set at Lummus Park and Ocean Drive between 6th and 7th Streets, the festival showcases an exciting mix of soul food, barbecue, Caribbean cuisine, vegan bites and Hispanic flavors from South Florida and beyond. Presented by The Hungry Black Man Media in partnership with The Center for Black Innovation and the City of Miami Beach, the event also features live music, a Miami-Dade vs. Broward County dance battle, an artisan market and a kids’ zone—creating a vibrant, family-friendly afternoon by the ocean.  

Art + Soul

Pérez Art Museum Miami celebrates the 13th anniversary of Art + Soul on February 7—an unforgettable evening supporting the PAMM Fund for Black Art. Guests are invited to enjoy art, cocktails, music, and dancing under the stars while honoring iconic cultural trailblazer Fab 5 Freddy for his lasting impact on the arts. The night features a cocktail reception and seated dinner curated by Chef Raheem Sealy, an inspiring program hosted by emcee Neki Mohan, and the unveiling of the Ambassadors for Black Art’s newest acquisition. The celebration continues with desserts, dancing, and live entertainment by Deep Fried Funk and DJ Aya, bringing together art, culture, and community in support of contemporary Black artists.

SOMI ArtFest 

Downtown South Miami comes alive as an open-air gallery during the 41st Annual SOMI ArtFest, happening February 21–22. Formerly known as the South Miami Rotary Arts Festival, this free, juried event features more than 110 talented artists from across the United States and Canada showcasing paintings, photography, sculpture, jewelry and more. Enjoy live performances by local musicians, delicious bites from area vendors, a beer garden and a lively Saturday night community party with extended hours. Family-and dog-friendly with easy access via the South Miami Metrorail, the festival benefits the Rotary Club of South Miami Foundation, supporting scholarships and impactful community projects.

GMCVB Networking Breakfast Celebrating Black History Month

Join us in celebrating Black History Month with a networking breakfast at The Oasis at Miami Gardens. Kick off the morning with meaningful connections while enjoying a delicious hot breakfast, live entertainment, and special surprises. Also, an exclusive opportunity to explore Oasis Miami Gardens. Our partner breakfasts are more than a networking event—they’re a space to connect with fellow GMCVB Partners, spark new ideas, and build relationships that can lead to collaborations, referrals, and business growth within our community. Whether you’re a new or longtime GMCVB Partner, these gatherings keep you engaged, connected, and informed. Click here to register for this event on February 11 and be part of the experience.

Celebrate Lunar New Year in Miami

Ring in the Lunar New Year in Miami and welcome the Year of the Horse with vibrant traditions and festive flair. Celebrate with symbolic lucky foods, lion dance performances, and the joy of receiving traditional red envelopes believed to bring good fortune. Observed over multiple days, Lunar New Year is one of the most significant celebrations across East and Southeast Asian cultures, including Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean communities. From cultural showcases to family-friendly festivities, explore our curated list of top events and join in the excitement as Miami comes alive with color, culture, and celebration.

Melton Mustafa Jazz Festival

A four-day celebration of jazz honors South Florida’s rich musical legacy at Florida Memorial University during the Melton Mustafa Jazz Festival, February 26–March 1. Now in its 29th year, the festival—founded by legendary Miami trumpeter Melton Mustafa Sr.—brings together acclaimed local, national and international artists alongside students and educators at the Lou Rawls Center for the Performing Arts and venues across Miami Gardens, Miami and Miami Lakes. Programming includes dinner concerts, club-style jazz nights, hands-on workshops and a red-carpet finale. Festivities conclude will with a powerful closing concert by the Melton Mustafa Orchestra, directed by Melton Mustafa Jr., and special guests from South Florida’s jazz community. Events are ticketed individually, with select workshops and mixers offered free or at low cost, making this vibrant festival accessible to jazz lovers, students and the community alike.

Montreux Jazz Festival Miami

The Montreux Jazz Festival Miami returns to Coconut Grove for its third edition, February 27–March 1, bringing world-class music to the waterfront at The Hangar at Regatta Harbour, with two special performances at the Miami Beach Bandshell. Curated and hosted by festival co-owner and multi–Grammy Award winner Jon Batiste, the three-day celebration continues the legacy of the legendary Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, featuring exceptional musicianship, electrifying jam sessions and a vibrant mix of music, local cuisine and artistry. Set against a stunning waterfront backdrop, the festival promises an unforgettable experience for music lovers and cultural explorers alike.

Featured Festival: Coconut Grove Arts Festival 

The Coconut Grove Arts Festival returns to the waterfront over Presidents Day weekend, February 14–16, celebrating its 62nd year as one of Miami’s most beloved cultural traditions. Set against the stunning backdrop of Biscayne Bay at Regatta Park and stretching through McFarlane Road, Pan American Drive and South Bayshore Drive, the festival showcases works by more than 275 juried artists from Miami, across the U.S. and around the world. Visitors can explore a wide range of mediums—from painting and photography to sculpture, jewelry and mixed media—while enjoying culinary experiences, live music, interactive demonstrations and family-friendly activities, all infused with Coconut Grove’s signature bohemian spirit. Click here for more details. 

Hospitality Industry Education

Miami Beach Convention Center Wraps a Milestone Year 2025 

The Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC) closed out 2025 on a high note, welcoming over 537,000 attendees across 143 regional, national, and international events and supporting more than 12,000 exhibitors. In partnership with GMCVB’s sales and marketing teams, MBCC hosted a diverse mix of medical, wellness, fintech, education, sports, arts, culture, and corporate events, generating significant economic impact for Greater Miami and Miami Beach and reinforcing its status as a world-class hub for global meetings. Looking ahead, the MBCC campus enters an exciting new chapter with the Grand Hyatt Miami Beach, an 800-room headquarter hotel connected by skybridge, slated to open in 2027.

Artwork by Kyne Nislev Bernstorff "Young Himba Woman"

Reflections

An evocative exhibition exploring identity and emotional experience, Reflections brings contemporary realism and cultural storytelling into a shared space for contemplation. Through figurative and symbolic works, the show invites viewers to reflect on how personal history, emotion, and perception shape the human journey. Presented by Gato Gordo Gallery, the exhibition features three international artists whose distinct visual languages examine selfhood, connection, and our relationship to the world around us. Reflections, on display in the lobby of the Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay, will be on view through March 3. The exhibition is accessible 24/7 in the hotel lobby; guided visits are available by contacting Gato Gordo Gallery.

ExpoMiami 

Connect with business leaders, grow your network and elevate your brand at ExpoMiami 2026, one of South Florida’s premier business expos, presented by the Doral Chamber of Commerce. Taking place on February 19, at Doral Central Park’s Multi-Purpose Room, this high-energy event brings together entrepreneurs, professionals and decision-makers from across industries for a full day of networking, lead generation and business insights. Attendees can explore exhibitor booths, participate in expert-led sessions and conferences, and gain valuable exposure—all with free admission. Just bring your business cards and get ready to connect. More details here.

Night At The Sir John’s Knight Beat 

Jazz, history, and community spirit come together for an unforgettable evening honoring Miami’s rich musical legacy and the iconic venues that shaped it. Night at the Sir John’s Knight Beat, taking place February 27 at the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center, revives the soulful energy of the legendary clubs that defined the city’s Black music scene. Curated by artist-in-residence Daniel Washington, the event celebrates the Chitlin’ Circuit—vital cultural spaces that uplifted artists like Art Blakey, Miles Davis, and Billie Holiday during segregation. Launched in 2025 as part of the Center’s 50th anniversary and Black History Month, this annual gathering honors the musicians and venues that transformed struggle into sound and cemented Miami’s enduring jazz heritage.

Young Entrepreneurs Retreat at the University of Miami

The University of Miami Herbert Business School invited its 2026 cohort of HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) students to participate in the UStart@Miami Herbert Program, representing a dynamic group of exceptional students and emerging visionaries. The program was organized by Karen Harris, MBA, Academic Director of the HBCUStart@Miami Herbert Entrepreneurship Immersion Program and Senior Lecturer in the Management Department (third from left). Vernon Chipman, M.S.Ed., Program Manager for the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau’s nonprofit, the Visitor Industry Council (VIC), and Dr. Graylyn Swilley Woods, VIC Executive Director, attended the welcome dinner at Lil Greenhouse Grill in Historic Overtown to greet and engage with the students. The next day, Chipman facilitated a coaching session for more than 17 students, offering guidance and professional development support.

International Conference on Tourism Management and Hospitality 

Moin the International Conference on Tourism Management and Hospitality (ICTMH) on February 22-23, at the Intercontinental Miami Hotel.  This is a premier gathering for professionals, researchers, and industry leaders in tourism and hospitality organized by Conferencefora. This dynamic conference offers a global platform to exchange knowledge, explore the latest technologies, techniques, and solutions, and gain insights into best practices from around the world. Participants include stakeholders from academia, industry, and government, making it an unparalleled opportunity to connect, collaborate, and advance the future of tourism and hospitality. Click here to learn more. 

@VISITMIAMI

@Miami, you’re showing off again #FindYourMiami

(🎥: @mcsino14)

@VISITMIAMI

Consider this your official invitation to hit the reset button in Miami 😌

📸: @meghan.margo

Multicultural Miami Newsletter Archive

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