LTC 100-2005 AFSCME - 2006 Biennial International Convention
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
Office of the City Manager
Letter to Commission No. lQO-2005
m
To:
Mayor David Dermer and
Members of the City Commission
Date: April 20, 2005
Subject: AMERICAN F DERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL
EMPLOYEES (AFSCME) - 2006 BIENNIAL INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION
From: Jorge M. Gonzalez
City Manager
Attached please find a letter received in my office this morning informing us of the
cancellation of the 2006 Biennial International Convention of the American Federation of
State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) AFL-CIO, schedule for June 2006. As
noted in the letter, this cancellation is due to the conversion of hotel properties to other
uses, as well as ownership change leaving another property's commitment unsatisfactory
to the group.
By way of specifics, as a union organization, the required hotel block was to have
incorporated at least 50% of contracted rooms in union-staffed hotel properties. The
elimination of the Sheraton Bal Harbour, a traditionally strong union presence, from the
AFSCME block, as well as Turnberry's impending purchase of the Fontainebleau and
uncertainty concerning its future union plans, eliminated the ability to guarantee the 50%
union requirement at this time.
We have spoken with the GMCVB and while they have made efforts in an attempt to retain
this event, they have been unsuccessful.
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Attachment
c: Tim Hemstreet, Acting Assistant City Manager
Max Sklar, Tourism and Cultural Development Director
Doug Tober, SMG General Manager
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Doug Tober
General Manager
Miami Beach Convention Center
.Jackie Gleason Theater
MEMORANDUM
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Prl'l.te M.n.,ement for Pull'" F"IIItles
To: Jorge Gonzalez
Tm Hemstreet
Max Sklar
Cc: Thorn Connors
Date: April 19, 2005
Re: AFSCME Convention
Attached please find a letter received in my office this morning informing us of the
cancellation of the 2006 Biennial International Convention of the American Federation of
State, County and Mtmicipal Employees (AFSCME) AFL-CIO, schedule for June 2006. As
noted in the letter, this cancellation is due to the conversion of hotel properties to other uses, as
well as ownership change leaving another property's commitment unsatisfactory to the group.
By way of specifics, we believe that the elimination of the Sheraton Bal Harbour, a
traditionally strong tmion presence, from the AFSCME block, as well as Tmnberry's purchase
of the Fontainebleau and questions over its future tmion plans, were the driving force behind
this decision. While the letter appears to be definitive, we have spoken with the GMCVB and
they will continue to try to retain this event.
While we strongly believe that the ditninishing of tmion involvement was the overriding factor
in this decision, the client's verbiage does beg further discussion surrounding the effects of
hospitality product conversions on our ability to attract citywide convention business. I also
would point out that we are currently confirmed for two additional citywide tmion-affiliated
groups, the National Association of Letter Carriers in August 2006 and the International
Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans in October 2008, and we will monitor those situations
closely as to any effects of this cancellation.
I look forward to continued discussion surrounding this issue.
. Page 1
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AFSCME.
Amer'ctln Federation of Stote, County and Mllftlclpct' I"".,.,..., AFL-CIO
1625 LSIreet,N.w.,~D.C.2003605687
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April 1S, 200S
Mr. Dou.aIu W. Tober
GcnmaI Maaapr
Miami Beach Ccmvention Centel'
1901 Convention Cem:er Dri-ve
Miami Beach, FL 33139
R.e: AFSCME 2006 Biennial Jrrtemational Convention
Dear Mr. Tober:
As you are IlWaR, the American. Federation of Stale, C4unty and Mudieipal
Employees (AFSCME) APL-CIO. has been mUi"S arc..........m (WeT the put ClNple of
years to conduct its Bienniallntemational Conwntion in Miami Beach. Florida in 1\li11e
2006. Miami Beach was selected as the location of clteice, in larp part, becatiSe oCtile
existenoe and availability of several hotel propenies, ez:npIoy:iDg tmion worbri. which
were capable of acoommodating the event and its attea4.ees.
AFSCME 1lI/U nlOeZ1t1y notified by several MianO Beaolt hoar pro~tiU, with
which it OOD1racted to provide room actlODUDOdatiOlUl tmd otbr:r services. fbat dlcy would
not be able to satiuy their oomnutmeD.ts for theConwntiGB due te the QOD,~on of the
hotel's property to other uses. We have also been advised by another ~ that it has
been sold and will be under new IDIDapme.t1t, with a ~y with whieh.A.F$C.WB baa
no prior experience. The combined 6ct of these t.r:'IIHIactient, meat of~oh involve
properties emplo)'ina lIDion workers, seriously it11pain APSCME's ability to bold its
Convention in the Miami Beach area.
After caful couidcration of aU viable options to lessen the imput of these
circumstances. AFSCME has determiJ2ed that it has no alternative btIt to caueel all
amtniemenes to conduct :its 2006 International Convemion in Miami BeaM:h, Florida. We
have notified all intercs1.d entities of this decision and are ex1eJ:lclina notice to you., as
well, as a matter of courtesy.
We sincerely regret bavina to mab: tms decision and hope fibat we win be able to
conduct business in Miami Bead1. Florida in the tbture.
Since.tely,
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ASBiRmt to the Ptesidmt
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