Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce
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OFFICE: 305-673-4440

Hospitality Council – Meeting Notes

Attendees – Peggy Buena, Sunshine Guitierrez, Federico Galter, Sabrina Anico, Sus Beltran, Linda Villafane, George Neary, Mario Casal, Veronica Medina, Eddie Calderon, et al.

STAFF: Steve Adkins, Jorge Richa, & Scott Bader

Guests: Keith Hart & Steve Haas

Hospitality Council – Meeting Agenda

January 25, 2017 (Thank you to the National Hotel for breakfast and meeting space)

Agenda

  1. Welcome & Introductions
  2. GMBHA Update – Peggy Buena

·  Updates for current impact issues

  1. Short Term Rentals
  2. Visit FLA
  3. MBVCA Grants Update and Occupancy/Tax Update – Peggy Buena Ocean Drive 10-point plan update - Steve Haas
  4. MDGLCC Hospitality Council updates

·  Pink Flamingo Tourist Bag – Discussion

·  PluggedIN E-Newsletter (weekly/monthly)

  1. Upcoming Impact Events

·  World Out Games

·  Winter Party

·  Winter Music Conference

Notes from Meeting

ISSUES/ACTIONS- Ocean Drive 10-point Plan

ACTIONS – Steve Haas was hired by the Ocean Drive Merchants Association to assist with the implementation of the City of Miami Beach approved plan to improve the quality of local/tourist experience on Ocean Dr. This program, which included the creation of a BID (Business Improvement District) will focus on customer service training at the 47 café’s up and down the drive. Compliance to a consistent look and feel of proposed code requirements is also in the works. Work has progressed smoothly however; several properties have decided to not comply with the new standards. The City as notified.

#2 – Hospitality Update – Peggy et al. ACTIONS – Tourism trends for the area (and resort tax collections) are down for the periods October and November. Expect numbers when received, to be off more than 10% from budget.

#3 - World Out Games– ACTIONS – Keith Hart (COO) was present to discuss the upcoming event, funding update and ways the different properties could engage to participate in the room block. Registrations have been robust and in line with expectations. Expect 5,000 to 8,000 out of town visitors during the 10-day event.

#4 - MDGLCC Hospitality Initiatives – Landing page on website & PluggedIN e-newsletter

ACTION– The MDGLCC website www.gaybizmiami.com was re-launched in early October complete with a new look and feel. As part of our market expansion, a new Hospitality Council page has been included along with a listing of our member properties. Included on this page are:

·  Property listing

·  Pink Flamingo Certified properties

·  Historical Hospitality Council meeting notes

·  Link to our new Pink Flamingo Hospitality Certification page

#5- Pink Flamingo (PF) Training Tourist Bags – ISSUE – As part of our PF initiative, tourists visiting our PF Certified properties will receive a pink poker chip embossed with the LGBT Visitor Center’s address & logo. Upon taking this chip to THE Hub at the LGBT Visitor Center, in exchange for completing a brief survey, will receive a bag of take-away’ s.

Action – Please provide us with ideas for what should be placed in the take-away gift bags.

Some suggestions for the bags – let us know if you would like to participate!!

·  Discount restaurant coupons

·  Drink discount

·  Attraction discounts (maybe a coupon book put together by the CHAMBER/CVB)

·  Map(s)

·  LGBT Visitor Guide

Next Meeting – Shelborne March 29th at 10 am

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