NEW BUSINESS  15.

COMMITTEE MEMORANDUM

HISTORY:

At the March 13, 2019 Commission meeting, a discussion regarding adding a “Seniors Got Talent” event/festival produced through the Parks and Recreation Department, to be funded in the City’s FY 19/20 Parks and Recreation operating budget, was referred to the Finance and Citywide Projects Committee.

ANALYSIS:

The Parks and Recreation Department recommends hosting a “Seniors Got Talent” event at the Convention Center, where local Miami Beach seniors can highlight their talents in various performance genres.

The budget for the event is estimated at $48,000, which includes marketing, catering, staffing and miscellaneous supplies such as decorations, awards, etc. (Exhibit A). It is requested that rental fees associated with the use of the Miami Beach Convention Center be waived. Costs would be greater if Convention Center rental fees are not waived.

Program Proposal

The event will feature a “Seniors Got Talent” contest. Auditions will be held a month prior to the event, where contestants will try-out before a panel of judges in any of the following performance genres:

·         Musical Performance by a Group

·         Musical Performance by a Solo Act

·         Dance performance by a Group

·         Dance Performance by a Solo Act

·         Other (Comedy, Magic, Poetry, etc.)

Using a scoring rubric, judges will select a total of six finalists from any of the performance genres. These six finalists will be announced at the end of the auditions.

A robust media campaign will be conducted through the Office of Communications to help spread the word about the auditions and the “Seniors Got Talent” finals. Contestants will have the opportunity to sign-up for auditions at the start of the marketing campaign up until one week before the audition date. Audition sign-ups will be on a first come-first served basis with the possibility for up to 20 acts.

The “Seniors Got Talent” finals will take place at the Miami Beach Convention Center in the evening where the six finalists will perform before a panel of judges.

The judging panel will be composed of:

·         One representative from the Office of the Mayor and Commission

·         One representative from the Chamber of Commerce

·         One guest judge

Judges will use a scoring rubric to score each finalist and the winner will be announced at the end of the event, when they will receive a prize. An estimated total of 750 attendees are expected to attend. Guests attending the event will be treated to a sit-down dinner.

CONCLUSION:

The Administration recommends approving the FY 19/20 Parks and Recreation Budget Enhancement that will be submitted in the Department’s budget package for the “Seniors Got Talent” event in the amount of $48,000.