"Your success is our only business." (Miami, FL)(Hospitality)

Greater Miami and the Beaches is more than sunshine, white sandy beaches, and tropical beauty It is a cosmopolitan destination filled with bustling energy, captivating people, and unmatched cultural diversity New hotel development, multimillion dollar renovations, and state-of-the-art convention and meeting facilities are only a few of the ingredients that contribute to Greater Miami and the Beaches' reputation as a world-class meeting and convention destination.

A meeting planners dream come true

Miami has a not-so-secret formula for making your meeting a success. "We make your success our only business," says Ita Moriarty, vice president of convention sales at the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. "Our experienced and resourceful professionals all work toward a common goal - making your meeting a success. With more than 45,000 hotel rooms, state-of-the-art facilities, award-winning restaurants, and dazzling entertainment, Greater Miami and the Beaches is a meeting planner's dream come true.

"There's no better time to meet in Greater Miami and the Beaches," says Merrett R. Stierheim, president and chief executive officer of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. "We've evolved into a world-class convention and leisure destination, largely because the visitor industry has united to enhance its product."

All-time high in visitor satisfaction

Visitor satisfaction with Greater Miami and the Beaches posted an all-time high of 96 percent in 1997 - the highest recorded since survey tracking began in 1989. Likewise, more than 1.1 million meeting delegates visited the city in 1997 alone.

Weather, beaches, accommodations, dining, and shopping are the main attractions. New and expanded shopping malls, attractions, and a calendar that is packed year-round with art, culture, music, festivals, and major league sporting events offer visitors a wealth of leisure-time activities. Dining out in Greater Miami and the Beaches is an adventure in culinary delights. Nearly every major world cuisine is represented here, along with New World and New Miami Latin cuisine - Greater Miami's signature fares.

The choices for after-dinner entertainment are just as diverse. The setting sun and rising moon signal that the fun has just begun. The area offers a galaxy of nighttime entertainment from the cool sophistication of the performing arts to the heart-pumping excitement of dance clubs.

Keys to success

It's no secret that Miami is the right destination for a memorable meeting. Here are just a few qualities that spell success:

* Facilities. Miami offers a total of 1.3 million square feet of meeting and exhibition space as well as 1.2 million square feet of in-hotel meeting and exhibit space. The largest facility is the Miami Beach Convention Center, which spans four blocks and is within walking distance of the beach. Near the historic Art Deco District and its strip of cafes and hotels, this newly expanded and renovated convention facility offers more than 1 million square feet of functional space and more than 500,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space. Adjacent to the center is the newly refurbished Jackie Gleason Theater with permanent seating for 2,705.

In the heart of downtown, the Miami Convention Center and James L. Knight Center are designed to maximize convenience and flexibility. This site incorporates 37 meeting rooms, a 5,000-seat auditorium, and a 28,000-square-foot exhibit hall.

Convenient to shopping, dining, and nightlife, the Coconut Grove Convention Center offers 150,000 square feet of continuous space, subdividing into five halls that measure from 7,000 to 55,000 square feet. The Radisson Center, with instant access to Miami International Airport, totals 128,000 square feet and adjoins the Radisson Mart Plaza Hotel, which has an additional 20,000 square feet of meeting space.

* Accommodations. With 477 hotels from which to choose, your association can designate a location downtown, at the beach, or near the airport. Whether your members want in more hot tubs, world-famous golf courses, or award-winning dining, Miami can fill the bill.

* Amenities. Ranked the number one metro area for recreational opportunities in the United States and Canada by the Places Rated Almanac, Miami continues to be the place where the world comes to play. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, this city takes pride in its turquoise waters, sunny skies, and year-round warm temperatures.

* International flair. Often called the "Gateway to the Americas," the city's multicultural flair gives it a rhythm and style all its own. The community's cultural renaissance inspires world-class ballet, operas, orchestras, and theater - all endowed with multicultural influences.

* World-class airport. Ranked the second busiest international airport in the world, Miami International Airport provides nonstop direct flights from 108 international cities, with service by 128 carriers, and hundreds more from U.S. locations.

* Cruise headquarters. Often called the "cruise capital of the world," Miami watches more than 3 million passengers pass through its port annually Because the port is home to about 20 cruise ships, you can easily arrange pre- or post-convention tours for delegates.