On February 1, 2023, the Mayor and City Commission approved a referral item, sponsored by Commissioner Ricky Arriola, to the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee (FERC) to discuss the possibility of relaunching Sleepless Night. Sleepless Night was produced biennially by the City of Miami Beach in 2007, 2009 and 2011.

On March 31, 2023, Administration presented the history of Sleepless Night to the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee. The funding history of the 2007, 2009 and 2011 events were shared with the Committee, along with funding challenges each event experienced. Staff recommended the event may be launched in 2025/2026 given the production and funding timelines that are required for an event of that scale. Following the presentation, the Committee requested that staff return to Committee following research done on costs and feasibility in relation to engaging a producer to begin the event production process. 

Based on the previous event production costs average of $650,000.00 in 2011, based on current CPI, an amount of $800,000.00 to $1,000,000.00 is recommended to recreate Sleepless Night by today’s standards.

Sleepless Night Funding History:

Miami Beach Cultural Anchors:

On May 3, 2023, The Tourism and Culture Department hosted a Cultural Anchors roundtable with executive staff from various of the city's cultural organizations to discuss the possibility of the return of Sleepless Night. Cultural Anchors present included Oolite Arts, The Bass, The Wolfsonian, Miami Beach Botanical Gardens, Miami New Drama, Miami City Ballet, and The Rhythm Foundation.

The institutions and organizations showed positive interest in participating in a future Sleepless Night event based on the following:

1. The event be launched in 2025/2026 in a biennial format of every two (2) years
2. Participation would be contingent on identified city funding

Event Production:

Similar to the production of programming and activations for March, TCD would oversee the selection of a production company selected from the approved pool of producers. A Request For a Letter of Intent (RFLI) would be used to engage a production company. The RFLI process should be included in the timeline of a possible event.

Production Management Fee:

The anticipated cost for engaging a production company or producer to oversee the scope of services required for a successful large-scale citywide event would be based on a percentage of the overall budget. Should a budget of $1,000,000.00 be approved, the production management fee would be in the amount of $100,000.00 for a 24-month engagement.

Based on the three previous iterations of Sleepless Night, should a new biennial event be authorized, the Administration recommends the identification of funding in an amount from $800,000.00 to $1,000,000.00 to include sponsorships and possible grants as well as engaging a producer from the approved pool to continue the biennial schedule of the event, launching in 2025 or 2026.

The  Administration recommends the budget to engage a producer to manage Sleepless Night, based on the estimated budget of $1,000,000.00 would be approximately 10% of the overall budget at $100,000.00 for a 24-month engagement.