LTC 100-2024 L TC from the Ocean Drive Association Regarding Future Proof Citywide ConferenceMIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
LTC# 100-2024
LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Mayor Steven Meiner and Members of the City Commission
Alina T. Hudak, City Manager
Rafael A. Paz, City Attorney
.7
March 20, 2024
L TC from the Ocean Drive Association Regarding Future Proof Citywide
Conference
On behalf of the Ocean Drive Association Board of Directors, attached please find a Letter to
Commission regarding - Future Proof Cityw ide Conference.
F:\CLER\$ALL\L TC FROM ASSOCIATIONS\OCEAN DRIVE 03202024.docx
March 19, 2024 Via Email
Mayor Steven Meiner
Commissioner Tanya Bhatt
Commissioner Laura Dominguez
Commissioner Alex Fernandez
Commissioner Joe Magazine
Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez
Commissioner David Suarez
City Manager Alina Hudak
Subject: Future Proof Citywide Conference
Dear Honorable Mayor, Commissioners and Madame Manager:
We are writing on behalf of the Ocean Drive Association to indicate our strong support for the
proposed FUTURE PROOF Financial Conference projected for Miami Beach in March 2025. We
understand it is coming before FERC for consideration and possible approval.
We believe that hosting the high-quality, purpose-driven event of the sort that FUTUREPROOF provides
would be distinctly positive for our Miami Beach. This is needed especially for the month of March
which has been such a challenging period for our community.
With an estimated initial attendance of up to 3,000 finance professionals, this b2b event promises
minimal impact on our infrastructure while offering significant economic benefits. It is designed with
Sunday evening participant arrival and Wednesday departure. That "stay pattern" is exactly what
convention destinations and the hotels and restaurants that operate within them covet most.
Further, if successful, this event has the potential to grow substantially in the coming years and provide
precisely the kind of tourism we seek during the month of March. Attendees at such a conference are
also great new business targets for future highly sought-after conference business.
We can recommend, without reservation, that the Commission support the proposed Future Proof
Citywide conference. Thank you for considering our perspective.
Respectfully,
Ceci Velasco
Executive Director
For the Board of Directors
BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
Chairman
Jonathan Plutzik
The Betsy
Vice Chairman
Jamil Dib
V&E Restaurants
Secretary
Tom Glassie
Avalon Hotel
Treasurer
Alfie Feola
Altanini Realty
Steven Boucher
Baucher Brothers
Management, Inc.
Rory Greenberg
The Collins
Mark Muhlrad
Starlite Hotel
Salem Munayyer
Nakash Holdings
Scott Srebnick
Goldman Properties
Janet Suarez
YUCA Hospitality
Orlando Valdes
Cavalier & Henrosa
Hotels
Ceci Velasco
Executive Director