Suzie Sponder, Sr. Director of Communications for the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) stopped by Toronto 20SEP to give travel agents and media a taste of "Find Your Miami," its latest brand campaign.
Inspired by Miami and Miami Beach's vibrant culture, art, music and diverse neighbourhoods, the campaign has been launched through multiple media channels: print ads, interactive mobile/desktop display ads, and online video. A dedicated URL houses all information MiamiandMiamiBeach.com
The other half of the campaign - "Find your Wave" – showcases the assets of Miami Beach.
Terms like "Deluxious" are used in the brand campaign to denote Miami as a luxury destination; it also has mouth-watering gastronomy. Speaking of cuisine, Florida is doing well on the Michelin front. Sponder noted, "Miami has 13 Michelin-starred restaurants announced in the 2023 Michelin guide. Along with Miami, Tampa and Orlando also received Michelin designations."
Sponder commented, "Miami is a sophisticated city with its multicultural population of Cubans, Haitians and people from the Caribbean islands. This diverse mix of people infuses the landscape of Miami's art, music and restaurant scene. If you want to experience Cuban Culture, head down to Little Havana."
Arts neighbourhoods flourish in Miami, and to give a taste to attendees at last night's event, Sponder brought along well-known Graffiti artist Pedro Amos for a live, hands-on demo with attendees. Amos is entrenched in the Wynwood art scene and leads Mural walks throughout the neighbourhood.
Sponder also mentioned Art Basel draws huge visitations to Miami. Overall, visitors have boomed since the end of the pandemic. Canada, she said, "is one of our top 5 markets.
Canada's got Miami covered with plenty of lift. Air Canada is making multiple daily trips to Miami, and according to Sponder, their new Vancouver to Miami direct route after an 18-year drought "is a game-changer. It's opening up a whole new market. Plus, Air Transat's adding more flights from Montreal."
Many new hotels are on the scene for travel advisors to consider for their clients – from Moxy's South Beach to Arlo Wynwood Miami, The Elser Hotel and citizenM Miami Worldcenter.
Brightline Train service starts 22SEP, connecting Miami to Orlando. It takes 3.5 hours to make the journey, says Sponder, providing an excellent connection between the cities.
