Following the March 22, 2024, FERC meeting, staff followed up with the Event producer to ensure they had met with necessary stakeholders, provided event details, and addressed any concerns, including protecting coral reefs. The event producers provided the requested information and advised of a new proposed date on the last weekend in March 2025. Details are shared in the memorandum.
Proposed Event Details for inaugural event in Miami Beach:
SailGP is a prestigious international sailing competition featuring high-performance F50 foiling catamarans. Teams compete across a season of multiple grand prix around the world. Founded by Larry Ellison (Oracle co-founder) in 2019, SailGP has gained global recognition for its thrilling races held in iconic waterfront locations around the world, including Sydney, St. Tropez, Dubai, New York City, and many others.
The Event is proposed to take place on the Lummus Park beachfront between 7 to 9 Streets, from March 21, 2025 to April 3, 2025, including load in and load out.
The Race Stadium would be open for the two (2) race days and features fan-facing activities including but not limited to (Exhibit A):
- Grandstands (public sale tickets – pending site layout)
- Delay Screens
- Youth Sailing and Education Area
- Programming and Entertainment (featuring local artists, DJ’s) to engage attendees pre and post racing
- Merchandise Store
- Local Food & Beverage Offerings
- Adrenaline Lounge (VIP guests & partners)
- Premium Lounge / Beach Club (public sale tickets
- Partner Activations to engage attendees
Technical Area, Safety Zone and Racecourse:
Watson Island will be utilized as the staging and technical area for the race. All race yachts and support vessels are responsible for following all maritime navigation laws while sailing. SailGP will also be working with the United States Coast Guard (USCG) as they progress in planning, for all proper approvals for creating on water safety zone permit along with securing enforcement assets (vessels).
Coral Reef Management:
SailGP is cognizant of the coral reef in the racecourse and will ensure it is protected by not anchoring any boats or marks in the race area.
- Marks of the racecourse and Safety zone will be anchor-free (operated by GPS)
- Spectator boats will be prohibited from anchoring
City Staff has recommended that SailGP discuss the event details and race course with the Miami-Dade County Division of Environmental Resources Management (DERM) to advise.
Marine Mammal Management:
SailGP works with local agencies to create a marine mammal plan for each of their events. The event producer has advised that they will be working with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife planning review, which will share which endangered mammals they would like us to observe as part of our event. This is similar to how other boating events or on-water events operate in the local waterways.
Anticipated Hotel Room Nights:
SailGP has an anticipated 2,200 room nights for SailGP staff and SailGP-owned teams.
In addition, there would be 5-6 privately-owned SailGP teams, adding a further 400-500 room nights.
Community Benefit:
SailGP has an Inspire program for local youth, and they plan to engage, educate, and inspire at least 500+ youth in each market they visit. Their goal is to create relationships with local community programs, nonprofits, and public schools to host youth during the week of their event. They will host youth groups to tour their technical site, meet the teams, and learn about the technology used and how it relates to STEM by providing youth access to the event.
SailGP will work with local leadership to support a clean energy project around our event in the market that aligns with our goals of being a 100% clean energy sports and entertainment property and reducing our carbon footprint. They will look to support existing local host city objectives or projects and focus on clean energy-led projects.
Special Event Sponsorship:
The Miami Beach Grand Prix event applied for the City's Special Event Sponsorship program and was awarded $75,050 for FY 2025.
Event Date Approval:
The Event is seeking approval for its proposed event dates from March 21, 2025, through April 3, 2025, including load-in and load-out from the City Commission. According to the City Commission-approved Special Event Guidelines, a special event application would need Commission approval to move forward for an activation during a High Impact Period. March and the first two weeks of April, which coincide with college and high school spring break, are considered High Impact Periods.
At the March 22, 2024, FERC meeting, Committee members voted on a favorable recommendation to the May 15, 2024, City Commission meeting, seeking a waiver of the restrictions on new special events during the high-impact period (March and first two weeks of April), with the understanding that the event producer would go through the typical special event permitting process. At FERC, SailGP presented the event dates on the first weekend in April; however, due to scheduling, the event organizers are requesting the last weekend in March 2025 with the example schedule as follows:
Special Events During the Month of March:
Pursuant to the Commission memorandum "Discuss Spring Break 2024 Comprehensive After Action Report," presented at the April 18, 2024 City Commission meeting, the Administration recommended against special event activations during the busiest and highest impact weekends in March 2025 noting that such activations require significant public safety and city resources, often requiring staff redirection. Note however that this event is being recommended for the fifth weekend, which in the past has not reflected the busiest period.
LOBBYIST DISCLOSURE
In accordance with Resolution No. 2023-32857, adopted by the City Commission on December 13, 2023, the following information has been provided by the Administration as it relates to the subject resolution:
1. Was the Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481, includes a principal engaged in lobbying? Yes
2. If so, specify name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s): SailGP representatives