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CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE MEM(JRAN~U1t~C
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TO: . ~~/qr Matti H. Bier and Members of the City Commission vk ~
FROM: ~~-Jor e M. Gonzalez, City Mana~r ~; ~;
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DATE: February 15, 2008
SUBJECT: South Beach Wine and Food Festival
The seventh annual Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival, a national, star-studded,
four-day destination event showcasing the talents of the world's most renowned wine and spirits
producers, chefs and culinary personalities, is once again taking place in the City of Miami
Beach from February 21-24, 2008.
The event has quickly grown to a nationally recognized event garnering extensive national
media coverage. Today, the South Beach Wine & Food Festival is one of the largest and most
well-known festivals of its kind in the country. The South Beach Wine & Food Festival combines
the international appeal of top-quality libations from around the world, the national appeal of the
Food Network and its celebrity chefs and hosts, and the appeal of Latin and Caribbean-inspired
regional cuisine.
I am pleased to inform you that for only the 7th time in its history, the Today Show is taking its
entire anchor cast to a location. The cast and show will be broadcasting from Miami Beach for
the Food Network's South Beach Wine and Food Festival next week. They will be building their
set at the Loews Hotel and will broadcast live from the Festival on Friday. The City is also
working with them on other shots throughout South Beach. Miami Beach will receive
tremendous exposure from this at a time that the rest of the United States isexperiencing the
height of winter weather.
As a result of the City's sponsorship agreement with the South Beach Wine and Good Festival
enclosed, please find two tickets to the following events:
• Friday, February 22, 2008, 7:30 PM - Moet & Chandon Bubble Q hosted by Giada De
Laurentis & Friends, held at the Delano Hotel (beachfront)
• Publix Grand Tasting Village, held beachside at Ocean Drive & 13~h Street
Additionally, the City's sponsorship agreement with Florida International University (F.I.U.)
provided residents of Miami Beach with the exclusive ability to purchase a maximum of two (2)
tickets at a 15% discount to the Publix Grand Tasting Village. Residents were able to purchase
these tickets prior to the public on-sale date. The aforementioned benefits are provided in
exchange for the waivers granted to the Festival, as snot-for-profit, and are in addition to the
City being listed as a sponsor in all print, electronic, on-site and media recognition.
Please feel free to call me should you have any questions or require additional information.
Attachment
W,\Tourism and Cultural Development\Entertainment Film Special Events\2-13-07 SoBe Wne and Food Festival Memo.doc