BizBash Florida News

EVENT REPORT: Heart Association Surpasses Fund-Raising Goal Before Its Ball, Despite Fewer Corporate Sponsors

]]>On Saturday night the American Heart Association held its annual Heart and Stroke Ball for 200 people—50 more than last year—at the Eden Roc hotel in Miami Beach. The organization surpassed its fund-raising goal before the event, despite having fewer corporate sponsors than in years past. The association’s south Florida marketing manager, Joanna Palmer, cited the economy and former donors’ lack of charitable budgets for the year as the reason for the decline in corporate sponsorships.

To combat the downturn, Palmer offered additional marketing and branding opportunities at other events for sponsors of the ball, in addition to placing sponsors’ names and logos on the invites, tables, and programs. “We’re making them visible in the community through other events we’re doing throughout the year to provide them more return on the investment,” said Palmer, noting the association achieved its goal of $250,000—$100,000 more than last year—before the event as a result of sponsorships, ticket sales, and table sales. “We saved ourselves by adding these extra options and making this event the cumulative celebration of a year’s worth of achievement in heart disease [research].”

EVENT REPORT: Share Our Strength's Bake Sale Draws Thousands to Aventura Mall

]]>Share Our Strength held its fourth annual South Florida Great America Bake Sale at Aventura Mall on Sunday, drawing more than 3,500 to Center Court. Overseen by local Share Our Strength representatives, Great American Bake Sales around the country are traditionally held on a smaller scale at local community centers, neighborhoods, or bakeries. Wanting to attract more people to the South Florida event, chef Allen Susser of Chef Allen’s in Aventura coordinated the charity's first mall-based sale at Aventura Mall in South Florida in 2006, a format that Share Our Strength's national office took to the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, in 2008.

Even in the current economy, Susser secured more local sponsors than in previous years, including Pazzo Bakery and the Nerdel Company, an educational cartoon company that donated 250 books and branded items that Share Our Strength sold at the event. “It was a little harder than in past years [to get sponsors], but it takes perseverance at any time," said Susser, who worked with Agency 21 Consulting to recruit sponsors. "You just need to be out there getting your name in front of them."

EVENT REPORT: Adidas Kicks Off Customizable Sneaker Program With Store Events in Five Cities

]]>Adidas continued a marketing campaign tied to its 60th anniversary with the official "Customize Your Life" kickoff party for its online shoe customization program on Thursday in Miami. The five-day Customize Your Life event piggybacked on the campaign’s message of promoting individuality and originality by bringing consumers into the store and directing them to the company's Web site to custom design their Originals sneakers. The sporting goods manufacturers partnered with Modern Luxury Media for the event, which also took place on Thursday in New York, Atlanta, and Chicago and on Wednesday in Los Angeles.

“The goal was to establish Originals in our core lifestyle market, and Modern Luxury hits that [group] with all their local magazines,” said Adidas America’s vice president of retail Mark Friedman in reference to Modern Luxury's Miami, Manhattan, Atlanta, Chicago, and Los Angeles titles. “They really have a strong local presence in those key markets.” The series continued the brand's Celebrate Originality campaign, which launched in New York in November as a celebration of the company's 60th anniversary and its original sneaker design.

EVENT REPORT: Pow Wow Finale Closes Portion of Biscayne Boulevard

]]>The U.S. Travel Association's International Pow Wow wrapped up last night with a tribute to the arts at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County, just days after the conference’s opening night beach party on Sunday in Lummus Park. Both events were hosted by the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors’ Bureau and producer Randi Freedman of Logistics Management Group. Since the closing night party showcased some 21 entertainment acts throughout the performing arts center and outside, Freedman had Miami police barricade the 1400 block of Biscayne Boulevard to allow more event space and an easier flow for the more than 5,000 guests.

"The facilities themselves don’t allow for that amount of people, so we had to shut the street down so we could have the [event] flow back and forth," Freedman said. "It also gave [the attendees] a chance to really explore the facility." The event took place in the Knight Concert Hall and Ziff Ballet Opera House buildings, on either side of Biscayne Boulevard between 14th and 15th Streets, as well as on the street between them. (Freedman set up a tented walkway door-to-door between the buildings in case of rain, which managed to hold out until the end of the night.)

EVENT REPORT: International Pow Wow Kicks Off With Food, Music, and Fireworks in Miami's Lummus Park

]]>The travel industry buyers and exhibitors attending the U.S. Travel Association’s International Pow Wow at the Miami Beach Convention Center took over Lummus Park Sunday night for the travel marketplace’s kickoff event. Each year, the annual conference’s nightly events (a restaurant night is scheduled for tomorrow, a final wrap-up party downtown for Wednesday) are coordinated by the host city’s convention and visitor’s bureau and intended to showcase the city’s culture and woo future travel business.

The Miami Beach Convention and Visitor’s bureau enlisted Randi Freeman, president and owner of event production company Logistics Management Group, to design and produce the outdoor event, which garnered nearly 5,000 guests. Freeman contracted Florida Fence Rental Inc. to fence in the event's footprint—the park between 7th and 9th Streets—later dividing the space into three areas with Miami-centric themes: tropical, SoBe nightclub, and Deco jazz.

THE WALKTHROUGH: Sleek Restaurant and Lounge Il Bacio Opens in Delray�

]]>Il Bacio Restaurant and Ultra Lounge opened earlier this month in Delray Beach, combining a traditional Italian restaurant and modern after-hours lounge into one venue. Italian for “the kiss,” Il Bacio is outfitted with granite tabletops, champagne-colored leather banquettes, and crystal chandeliers in the main room. Designed by owner Steven Pellegrino, the 5,000-square-foot main room can seat 175 or accommodate 250 for receptions.

A corner table separated from the main space by white silk string reminiscent of fringed flapper dresses can serve as a V.I.P. space for six. The bar can also be used separately from the main room for seated events for 50. Across from the bar at the back of the room, the private champagne area seats 12, with more white fringe separating it from the main space.

THE WALKTHROUGH: New Entertainment Complex Opens 5 Event Spaces

]]>Entertainment and nightlife space Exit 66 opened five of its seven in-house event spaces on Friday night in Fort Lauderdale Beach. Interior design firm Bigtime Design strayed from its reputation for posh design (Crobar, the Mondrian South Beach, and B Bar at the Betsy Hotel) and channeled blue-collar America for the new venture.

The 20,000-square-foot venue has five individually themed (and uniquely named) rooms. Chiki Tiki, a 10,000-square-foot outdoor space, serves as the entrance to the complex. With a capacity of 400, the poolside space has 11 semiprivate cabanas seating 10 each, a 1,000-square-foot pool, and a four-sided tiki bar that seats about 40.

LOCATION SCOUT: 3 Fresh Palm Beach Hotels for Summer Meetings

]]>Trendy boutique properties and five-star resorts are a dime a dozen in South Beach. But if the conference is in Palm Beach, check out these three new and newly renovated hotels.

1. Set to open next month, the Omphoy Ocean Resort will be Palm Beach’s first oceanfront boutique property. Owner Leslie Schlesinger designed the 134-room hotel in a simplistic style with subtle Asian influences such as silk wall sconces and a koi pond in the lobby. The resort will have 5,000 square feet of meeting space accommodating groups as large as 125. Catering on the property is exclusive to James Beard Foundation award winner Michelle Bernstein’s two on-site restaurants, Michelle Bernstein's at the Omphoy and Michelle Bernstein Terrace, which can host private and semiprivate gatherings. The 2,500-square foot Exhale Spa can also be used for events.

VENUE NEWS: Jimmy Buffet and Dolphins Owner Announce Stadium Name Change

]]>Several hundred members of the media and V.I.P. guests gathered at Dolphin Stadium this morning for a special press conference with Jimmy Buffet and Dolphins owner Stephen Ross. The duo announced that Dolphin Stadium—home of the Miami Dolphins, Florida Marlins, and Miami Hurricanes—has officially been renamed Landshark Stadium. The name recognizes the facility’s new partnership with Buffet’s Margaritaville enterprise, which produces Landshark Lager with partner Anheuser-Busch.

“Jimmy Buffet is known and loved worldwide for his music and his portrayal of the tropical lifestyle that is synonymous with South Florida, and we are honored to have him bring his unique culture to our organization, “ Ross said.

THE WALKTHROUGH: Clevelander Reopens With New Tower, Event Spaces, and Damage-Proof Rooms

]]>Ocean Drive’s Clevelander hotel celebrated its grand reopening on April 30 after completing a 22-month, $40 million renovation. With a reputation as a party hub on South Beach, the property has added a new tower and four event spaces that now accommodate groups as large as 800.

The new South Tower has 11 guest rooms, bringing the property's total to 60, including five Rockstar suites, all of which have been safeguarded against potential damage. Among the upgrades are chest-high balcony rails—built taller than city code requires—ceiling lights in lieu of bedside lamps that were regularly knocked over and broken, and a silicon seal surrounding the beds to protect the floors.

THE SCOUT: Summer Barbecue to Go

]]>Bulldog Barbecue, the casual North Miami barbecue joint owned by former Top Chef contestant Howie Kleinberg, is now offering packaged meals that can be delivered to offices or corporate picnics. Available through Labor Day, the Bulldog-in-a-Box meals include the choice of a full barbecue chicken or a chicken and pulled pork combo along with burnt-end baked beans or macaroni and cheese. Additionally, all meals include roasted corn on the cob, cole slaw, and corn bread. Each box serves four people and costs $50.

THE SCOUT: Plates That Keep Small Portions and Sauces Separate

]]>With the debut of its new Miami warehouse space two weeks ago, Event Rentals debuted two stylish new plate options: the Glacier glass sushi tray and the Marea tasting plate. The 8- by 8-inch square sushi plates are outfitted with two two-square-inch wells for sauces, spices, or other accents or toppings. The plates come in cobalt blue, green, clear, and smoke and rent for $3 apiece. The white porcelain Marea plate has a grid of nine compartments, suitable for a selection of small tastings, at food stations, or for a tapas-style dinner; the plates rent for $8 each.

THE SCOUT: Relaxing and Action-Packed Options at New Design District Spa

]]>Emena Spa opened in Miami’s design district earlier this month, offering special group treatment and fitness packages. The 2,500-square-foot space has six treatment rooms and can accommodate groups as large as 100 for day or night events. Treatment packages include 30-minute mini facials, Swedish aromatherapy massages, reflexology, and cranberry sugar body scrubs, all using Eminence Organics skin care products.

THE SCOUT: A New Line of Eco-Conscious Trade Show Signage

]]>Oldsmar-based signage and graphics company PD Greenworks introduced a new series of eco-friendly signs, banners, and display boards for trade shows and special events. The company offers biodegradable banners, signboards, and other trade show display materials made from recycled products, all printed with eco-friendly inks made without carcinogens. The graphics are available in six sizes, from 2 by 4 feet ($64) to 4 by 8 feet ($256) and will biodegrade in three to five years. PD Greenworks’ parent company, Precision Digital, also owns Exhibit Bee Graphics, which produces wall art, boat and car wraps, car window images, and other signage.

THE SCOUT: Planner Launches New Full-Service Floral and Event Design Company

]]>After five years as an independent planner with a passion for floral design, owner Maria Guerrero started Green Options Design, a new floral and event design firm that celebrated the opening of its Mary Brickell Village studio on April 1. Specializing in floral arrangements—regular clients include restaurants, hotels, and businesses in the Brickell area—the company also designs events. Guerrero has a list of preferred vendors for lighting, decor, rentals, and linens, though other companies may be used upon request. Pricing for floral arrangements depends on the type of flowers, size of arrangement, and style of vase.

Q & A: Billy Melynk Expands Bacardi's B-Live Concert Series to More Than 46 Markets

]]>Since Bacardi USA hosted its first B-Live concert series in Miami in early 2005, experiential marketing manager Billy Melnyk has taken the music event, which draws thousands of people every year, global. First expanding internationally to more than 20 countries for one-off concerts throughout that year, he added U.S. stops in Los Angeles and New York in 2006. Then in 2008, the company launched another U.S.-based music series, Bacardi Live Tour, a smaller concert experience that targets a younger demographic.

The distiller combined the two concert series this year, scrapping the Bacardi Live name, in an effort to reach the consumer on a more intimate level, in more markets. The 2009 B-Live mega-concert series—with acts like DJ AM, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and Q Tip—is the largest to date, with 26 scheduled stops in America and 20 other countries worldwide. We spoke to Melynk about how he's expanding the brand’s music programs.

How has Bacardi’s music programming changed for 2009?
We’ve morphed the Bacardi Live and B-Live tours this year to touch the consumer in a more engaging way. We wanted to get more intimate this year, and a lot of our venues hold just 1,500 to 3,000 people, compared to our event in Miami last year that had 7,000. It was also a financial decision so we could do more shows and really font the country.

Q & A: Thinking Outside The Banks

Wachovia Bank's Isabel Fernandez brings unique and interactive events to clients no matter what size her budget may be.

Title: Sales and Service Project Manager
Age: 42
What She Does: Primarily marketing, sponsorships, contribution requests, and client and employee events
Staff: One assistant
Career Path: Going from a wannabe prison warden to an unsuspecting hotel worker and eventually into the finance industry, Fernandez's career path has never really been planned. After graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in Management and a minor in Criminal Justice, she began working in a hotel while studying public administration. Working in a hotel was so appealing that she switched tracks and obtained a Master's Degree in Hospitality Management. After several years in hotels, she began working in banks. She thought it was temporary, but has now worked in various banks for more than 10 years.
Biggest Job Challenge: Holding fabulous events on limited budgets and balancing a career with volunteer work.
Hobbies: Writing, surfing the Internet, and doing volunteer work for several organizations
Favorite Event Cuisine/Cocktail: Hot dogs or any other carnival-style food

How long have you been in your position and how did you get it?

"Six years. I was previously in Human Resources. My skills in communications, creative recruiting, and managing employee events were easily transferable and highly valued in my current position, which was an internal promotion."

How many events/meetings do you plan for Wachovia? For how many people?

With approximately 10 employee and five client events annually, the attendance ranges anywhere from 50 to 500 people.

How do you keep the meetings/events fresh and exciting?

"I try to be creative with interactive event themes. I also look for events that provide unique opportunities for my clients."

What has been the favorite event you've planned for Wachovia?

"We do an annual flag football event where 60 clients are divided into four teams that are coached by Miami Dolphins alumni. The clients use the Miami Dolphins' lockers, enter the field through the tunnel, and play on the field as their guests cheer them on. After game play, there's a dinner for everyone where we award the MVPs. After the event, they receive a DVD and CD with footage from the event."

Being that you work for a financial institution, how do you deal with budgets?

"Budgets are a reality. I always make food a priority, ensuring that the menu is varied, of quality, and of quantity. If I'm struggling with a budget, I look for creative ways to provide entertainment so that I don't sacrifice food."

Have you seen a change in the way Wachovia is doing events/meetings?

"Yes, we're moving from doing large client events to doing more intimate ones. We want to create opportunities where we can interact in a more dynamic and intimate way with our clients. As far as employee events, they all include a business aspect/agenda (such as training or a meeting), rather than being strictly social."

What have you done for a meeting/event that is out of the box?

"We've used some of our sponsorship partners to create events that are meaningful." Just to give you a better understanding, they'll take their funding of a local museum and use this partnership to procure normally inaccessible museum areas, in which they can host their events.

Are there trends in the industry right now that you wish would go away?

"I feel that events are sometimes managed in a competitive way—'how to outdo other events' kind of thing. I'd love to see events go back to standing on their own and not requiring dramatic elements to be considered successful."

How do you choose the right vendors?

"I give my business to those that keep my events wonderful." To avoid last-minute occurrences where the vendor might not come through, she tends to stay loyal to those that she already knows and trusts.

Any horror stories from an event/meeting? If so, how did you recover?

"For an important client event, we ordered gifts that averaged $60 each. We specifically did not want any branding on the gift items, only on the boxes. Of course, the gifts arrived with branding on all items. This was a true horror story for me. We used the gifts anyway, due to the lack of timing available, but I know in my heart that the gifts lost value to our clients because of our vendor's error."

Is there something you wish were available for events/meetings or wish that you could do for your company?

"I'd love to see unique experiences and locations available for events."

—Albert del Toral

Q & A: Planning Where It Counts

As the supervisor of corporate meeting planning and national events of one of the top financial firms in the country, Teresa L. Farmer plans more than 70 corporate functions each year.

Staff: Seven professional meeting planners
Career Path: With more than 10 years of experience in the meeting planning industry, Farmer is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, with a Business Degree in Hotel Administration. She began her career in 1996 as a sales manager for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. In 1998, she went to the corporate side as a meeting planner at Tech Data Corporation for four years.
Biggest Job Challenge: Striving to keep each and every meeting fresh and innovative for attendees, regardless of whether this is their first meeting or their 20th consecutive meeting.
Favorite Type of Food to Have at an Event: Varies with the destination. "Typically, I like for the attendees to experience the finest of the local cuisine."

What does your position entail at Raymond James Financial?

"I am the team leader of seven meeting planners for full logistical planning of more than 70 annual corporate business meetings/conferences (both domestic and international) that range in size from 20 to 1,500 attendees." Farmer partners with clients to meet their business objectives and deliver high-quality meetings on a consistent basis. She also manages the department budget, leads the strategic direction of the corporate meetings department, and oversees compliance with the corporate ethics and travel/reimbursement policies and firm-wide procedures. Farmer joined Raymond James more than four years ago as a senior planner and was recently promoted to supervisor of the corporate meeting planning department.

What are the types of meetings you organize for Raymond James?

"All the corporate meetings plus trainings, annual meetings, regional meetings, client meetings, incentives, and special events. I also plan the Raymond James & Associates Chairman's (RJ&A) Council Incentive program (our most prestigious event where the top financial advisors go for a week-long trip to a destination that alternates between the Americas and Europe each year)." The company has three major themed programs for its highest-level financial advisors. The attendee numbers range from 150 to 1,500 for the themed programs.

Where do you draw your inspiration and ideas?

"I constantly seek out fresh ideas that ignite my creative thinking. My favorite resources include unique websites and professional/hospitality trade publications from which I clip articles or print new and cutting edge ideas to show clients that can be enhanced or tailored to meet their expectations."

How do you choose vendors for an event? Do you tend to use the same companies for many events or ask for proposals, etc.?

"Raymond James's associates are expected to fully leverage client budget spend for meetings. We use an RFP (request for proposal) process with a minimum of three vendor bids in order to identify the most competitive pricing for the best service. Raymond James contracts with preferred vendors to maximize savings."

When planning a meeting, what do you consider to be the most important factors, for example, great cuisine and cocktails, entertainment, or recognized speaker?

"With a diversity of meeting types, the factors vary. For incentive programs, it's the 'wow' factor; for a training session, logistical arrangements that support the facilitators' learning sessions is most important, while a location that provides accessibility to all attendees is what counts at our regional planning meetings. Once these specifications are established, it's our responsibility to customize the logistics."

What has been the most favorite meeting/event you've planned for Raymond James?

"The gala evening of the RJ&A Chairman's Council 2006 program held this year in June at Prague, Czech Republic, and Vienna, Austria, was the finale for a highly successful incentive program. The evening began with a horse-drawn carriage ride through the streets of Vienna to the Hofburg Imperial Palace. The attendees were greeted like royalty by a footman who escorted them into the Grand Hall for a reception. (President Bush and other international leaders met at this location two days earlier.) After dinner was announced and guests were seated, there was a private performance by the world-renowned Vienna Boys Choir. During dinner, the attendees were serenaded by a Viennese orchestra. The attendees later said that the entire experience was one of the top trips of their professional careers."

—Vanessa Goyanes

Q & A: Raising Money on Tight Budgets

What She Does: Supervises the strategic direction and management of the foundation's fund development programs and event planning.
Career Path: Flannery has more than 20 years of experience in the event planning industry. She began her career in San Francisco at the Pacific CoastDock Exchange. She moved to Florida in 1994 and has worked in the nonprofit industry for more than 10 years.
Favorite Hobbies/Activities: Golf, scuba diving, traveling, reading.

What is Deliver the Dream (DTD)?

Pat Moran, chairman of JM Family Enterprises Inc., founded DTD in 2002 as a nonprofit respite and retreat program to serve families facing serious illness or crisis. It offers retreat weekends, which combine recreational activitieswith therapeutic workshops, peer-to-peer discussion groups, and more, all at no cost to participants.

What are the foundation's biggest events?

It has three major annual events: the Denim & Diamonds gala for more than 700 guests in Boca Raton; the Jeans & Dreams gala for more than 400 guests in Jacksonville; and the JM Lexus Charity Golf Event for more than 200 golfers and guests in Boca Raton. Flannery also organizes C.E.O. breakfasts and luncheons, recruitment meetings, and the retreat programs for DTD's beneficiaries.

How long have you worked at the foundation?

"I came on board this January, right before the Denim & Diamonds gala, which was being held a month later. At the same time, the foundation was planning Jeans & Dreams-for the first time ever. It was a challenge to get up to speed with what the event would encompass."

What is the concept behind the two major galas?

Unlike traditional galas, guests at both the Denim & Diamonds and Jeans & Dreams are encouraged to pair their favorite denim with dressier attire. Moran wanted to create an elegant yet comfortable atmosphere, where guests could have a great time while raising money for the foundation. In keeping with the laid-back environment, the events both feature comedic and dance entertainment by well-known performers that have included Jack Mayberry, Michael Finney, and the Pure Energy Powerhouse Band.

What are your goals for the foundation's events?

To create events that will retain previous sponsors, attract new sponsors, and provide the most effective experience for potential sponsors, while raising funds for DTD.

Working at a nonprofit means you're extremely conscious of coming in under budget. What tips can you offer other planners?

The proposed net revenue for each event must be a constant focus of the event's management team, with each member seeking to meet or exceed the proposed income and reduce the event's expenses. Denim & Diamonds and Jeans & Dreams allowed us to save money by using the same decor elements from the same company at both events. It really saved on the bottom line. It's also important to build relationships in the community in order to get services underwritten or donated.

What is the favorite event you've planned for DTD?

"The Jeans & Dreams gala in Jacksonville was rewarding to create because I had such a short period of time to do it [because I had joined DTD only a month before the event]. In the end, the event raised $175,000, exceeding our budget goal by more than $15,000. We also knew the gala was a huge hit when guests danced for two hours after it officially concluded."

What have you learned from planning these events?

Less is okay. Whether it's cutting back on budget line items (such as decor and catering) or shortening the event agenda, [in the end] our guests, sponsors, and board members are just as happy with a tighter event program.

What are your goals and plans for future events?

"My immediate plans are to recruit additional corporate leaders to join our existing committees for each of the events. Next year, I am planning to add a fishing tournament as part of DTD's development activities."

—Vanessa Goyanes

Posted 08.03.06

Q & A: Planning Events to Find a Cure

Sharon Hastings plans seven fund-raising events a year for the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa that draw hundreds of guests and thousands of dollars that support cancer research.

Sharon Hastings
Moffitt Cancer Center

What She Does: Coordinate major special events for the Foundation
Staff: Two, plus a multitude of college interns
Biggest Job Challenge: Time management and prioritization
Favorite Hobby/Activity: Watching the University of Florida football games
Pet Peeves: Rudeness, being late

What are the biggest events you do?

Magnolia Ball for 850 guests, Partners Breakfast for 750 guests, Sarasota Women's Cancer Luncheon for 600 guests, Key to the Cure events in two different cities for a combined 750 guests, and the Moffitt Classic Golf Tournament for 125 guests.

How soon do you start planning an event?

It depends on the event, but typically six months prior to the date. For our Magnolia Ball (our biggest event), we secure the venue a year out and the entertainment 9 to 10 months out.

What trends or themes have become popular in your area to use at events?

For our Magnolia Ball, we typically create a "look," instead of a theme, that is centered around the entertainment. For example, two years ago we had the Pointer Sisters, so the decor was fun, flirty, and feminine with bright colors and swirling swags of fabric from the ceiling. This year with Hall & Oates, we opted for a more rhythm-and-blues feel and a subdued look with lilacs, sapphire blues, and hints of orange for accent.

What has been your most challenging event/situation at the center?

This year we added several new elements to our [Magnolia] ball such as a Match Challenge where a couple pledged that they would donate $250,000 if the audience would [collectively] match that amount. Not only did the guests agree, but they went over the amount and raised more than $575,000. It can be challenging to motivate your staff and give them the confidence to try something new, when you are not sure yourself what the result will be.

How do budgets affect your job when planning events?

We have a duty to be fiscally responsible stewards of our donors' monies. We create budgets each fiscal year and do our best to stay at or under our projected expenses. We also look for opportunities to get goods and services underwritten to continue to reduce or eliminate our expenses.

How have events changed in the health care industry since you've been at the center?

Unfortunately, expenses continue to go up every year, which can potentially affect revenues. Also, there is always the question of how can we make this better for next year? The guests also expect us to outdo ourselves each year, which can be challenging.

What has been your favorite event you've planned for the center? Why?

I would have to choose our most recent Magnolia Ball, as we truly had a team approach this year to planning the event, from pre-production, to execution, to post-event follow up. It was fun working with the crews, and the least stressful of all my years involved with planning this event.

What was your most stressful moment at an event?
Probably at our gala two years ago when the sound system died right before the main entertainment was about to begin. The sound company had to do some creative rerouting and thankfully got the sound to work, but it was the longest 15 minutes I've ever experienced.

—Vanessa Goyanes

NEWS: After Two-Year Hiatus, Mediterranean Expo Partners With Latin Chamber of Commerce to Drum Up Attendees, Business

The Mediterranean Experience Expo, an international trade show for European countries looking to draw United States business, returned to the Miami Beach Convention Center Thursday through Saturday for its third iteration. Following a two-year hiatus due to an undisclosed medical reason concerning the owner, the show partnered with the Latin Chamber of Commerce of the United States this year in an effort to increase business relations between the two regions.

“[The Chamber of Commerce] has a secretariat with presidents of the chamber of commerce for 25 Latin American countries, so by partnering with them we’ve automatically created an alliance with those countries,” said show director Jeanette Perez, adding that despite lower overall attendance numbers, the event attracted 16 percent more Latin American representatives and attendees than in 2006.

NEWS: Miami Music Awards Postponed, Power 96 Signs On as Top Sponsor

The seventh annual Miami Music Awards show, originally scheduled to take place Friday night at the James L. Knight Center, has been postponed until September as a result of a last-minute sponsorship deal with radio station Power 96. The companies that produce the urban music award show, concert promoting company Dreammakers Events and event marketing and production firm Creativas Group Branding, Public Relations & Events, decided to delay it in order to take advantage of the radio station’s relationships with national talent.

“Power 96 is the leading radio station the hip-hop and urban music in the city and they have great relationships with artists,” said Creativas president Liza Santana, adding that Power 96 signed on as the presenting sponsor last month. “Everyone in the genre, like T-Pain, T.I., and Lil Wayne, really wants to work with them.”

NEWS: Office Depot Adds 30 Days of Prizes to Fifth Annual Small Business Competition

]]>Office Depot began its fifth annual “Official Small Business of Nascar, Courtesy of Office Depot” competition on May 2, this year offering 30 days of bonus prizes in addition to the grand prize. The office supply retailer, which has its headquarters in Boca Raton, created the sweepstakes-style competition in 2004 and has added a new element each year.  

“It’s been a very successful way to reach the small business owner and really differentiate Office Depot from the competition,” said Dan Richlen, vice president and group account director at Wunderman Chicago, Office Depot’s sports marketing agency. “People know that Office Depot does this promotion and how it really reaches the small business owner.”

NEWS: International Wine Challenge Opens to Public for First Time in Five Years

]]>The fifth annual Florida International Wine Challenge took place at Smith and Wollensky’s in South Beach this weekend. Created and coordinated by wine marketing company Vinamericas Inc. as a way for international wineries to test their products' potential for success in the Florida market, the industry event opened to the public for the first time in its five-year run.

During last year’s challenge, Vinamericas coordinators, led by founder and president David Bernad, realized they had hundreds of bottles of open wine and nothing to do with them. Solution? Invite the public to drink them and test their wine know-how against industry experts.

“We thought this would give south Florida wine lovers an amazing opportunity to taste hundreds of wines without having to deal with the classic trade show format,” said Bernad.

NEWS: Miami Beach Mayor Initiates City's First Gay Pride Parade

]]>The City of Miami Beach held its inaugural Gay Pride parade on Ocean Drive on April 18. The parade was the first city-supported gay pride event in Miami Beach.

“It is hard to believe a city as diverse and as inclusive of the GLBT community as our city has not had an official Miami Beach Gay Pride in the past,” said Mayor Matti Bower on the parade's Web site. “I am very proud to be a part of such a historical event in our community.”

According to police estimates, more than 20,000 people attended the festivities, twice as many as the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force's annual Winter Party Festival that attracted some 10,000 attendees to its 15th annual event in February.