Greater-Miami-and-the-Beaches-Will-Not-Host-the-Upcoming-DNC
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City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT, Tel: 305.673.7575 PRESS RELEASE
Tonya Daniels, Email: tonyadaniels@miamibeachfl.gov
Melissa Berthier, Email: melissaberthier@miamibeachfl.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 11, 2019
Greater Miami and the Beaches
Not Chosen to Host the Upcoming DNC
—A Missed Opportunity for the DNC—
Miami Beach, FL – Despite presenting the Democratic National Committee with an
impressive proposal to host the 2020 presidential nominating convention, Greater Miami
and the Beaches was ultimately not selected. The bidding process uniquely brought
together nonpartisan support from all three jurisdictions, including Miami Beach Mayor
Dan Gelber, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez and Miami Mayor Francis
Suarez.
“We’re disappointed, obviously, but proud of our effort and of our bipartisan hometown
team,” said Gelber. “I am especially grateful to Mayor Carlos Gimenez and Mayor
Francis Suarez who made a great case for our community. We appreciate Chairman
Perez including us as a finalist and congratulate Milwaukee.”
With a population of more than 2.7 million people, Miami-Dade County embraces a
plurality of perspectives, with nearly 60 percent of its residents hailing from over 156
countries and communicating in more than 76 languages. The County’s diversity and
experience in hosting prestigious events are unrivaled.
“Miami-Dade prides itself in welcoming diverse outlooks that help us grow and excel in
all our endeavors,” said Gimenez. “As elected county officials holding nonpartisan seats,
we promote a message of hope and thoughtful dialogue that resonates deeply with our
residents and the millions who visit our region each year. These reasons alone would
have made us the ideal hosts for this event, not to mention our unbeatable beaches,
restaurants, entertainment, tourist hot spots and cultural offerings.”
This past October, the Democratic National Committee’s site survey team visited South
Florida and toured the AmericanAirlines Arena, where the Convention would have taken
place, along with the meeting spaces at the newly renovated Miami Beach Convention
Center.
We are committed to providing excellent public service and safety to all who live, work and play in our vibrant, tropical, historic
community.
“As a city with such an incredible national and international reach that we are called the
Gateway to the Americas, Miami possesses the logistical and infrastructural amenities
for attracting significant events,” said Suarez. “It’s a missed opportunity for our nation
that we won’t be able to roll out the red carpet this summer for the DNC attendees in our
unique way that no other city can top.”
In the past seven presidential elections, more than 51 million votes have been cast in
Florida, and fewer than 20,000 votes have determined our next president. Additionally,
the winner of the national election has won the state of Florida in 27 of the 39 elections
since 1860.
The City of Miami Beach last hosted the Democratic and Republican national
conventions in 1972 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
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