The Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission adopt the resolution approving a waiver of Miami Beach Convention Center rental fees in the amount of $8,857 in support of the 2023 South Pointe Elementary School Promotion Ceremony.

FOSPE, Inc. d/b/a Friends of South Pointe Elementary (“FOSPE”) is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that is a parent and volunteer-driven entity, and solely focused on supporting students at South Pointe Elementary School in Miami Beach, Florida. The primary goals of FOSPE include delivering extracurricular enrichment, education initiatives, health and safety enhancements, and classroom support for 550 students; serving as South Pointe Elementary’s defense against budget cuts; and ensuring that South Pointe Elementary retains critical support personnel to preserve a long-standing reputation for positive academic excellence in Miami Beach.

The South Pointe Elementary School Promotion Ceremony (“5th Grade Graduation Ceremony”) is a significant milestone for the 5th grade class, marking the transition from elementary school to middle school, and an event attended by approximately 400 family and friends of the 5th grade class. The 5th Grade Graduation Ceremony has been held at Jungle Island in previous years because the size of the school cafeteria does not accommodate families, school staff and students comfortably for a two (2) hour program and the high cost of renting private spaces prevents the use of other venues.

The FOSPE requests that the City Commission consider waiving the Miami Beach Convention Center (“MBCC”) rental fees for the ceremony, in an amount not to exceed $8,857, which cost excludes taxes/service fees, and fees and costs for additional needs including but not limited to food and beverage, parking, labor, internet, equipment, and audio-visual services.

The Miami Beach Convention Center Rental Waiver Guidelines outline the process by which an outside entity may request a rental discount or waiver. The request by the FOSPE satisfies the criteria and eligibility requirements for consideration of a rental waiver, as it is a request on behalf of a not-for-profit organization and the event does not conflict with the booking of fully-paid clients or events. Additionally, FOSPE is based in Miami Beach and provides most services to Miami Beach residents.

According to the 2022 Community Satisfaction Survey, only 3.9% of Miami Beach residents polled listed the Convention Center among the City's facilities or landmarks that they visit frequently. 39% of polled residents never visit the Convention Center. 

The Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission adopt the Resolution approving the rental waiver for South Pointe Elementary 5th Grade Graduation Ceremony. Additionally, the Administration is working with the Miami Beach Convention Center team to explore how to accommodate future Miami Beach school requests, collectively and equitably, for the usage of the convention center for annual graduations and promotion ceremonies.