On May 14, 2015, Mayor Levine submitted a proposal to the United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) requesting consideration of Miami Beach as a Host City for their 2017 or 2018 summer meeting.

At the May 20, 2015 City Commission Meeting, Mayor Levine sponsored Resolution 2015-29027, which requested that the Mayor and City Commission authorize the Mayor and City Manager to provide City resources in support of the City’s proposal to host USCM. In addition, the resolution also authorized the Mayor and City Manager to fund transportation and youth and family programs for attendees, and to retroactively approve the Mayor’s execution of the proposal on behalf of the City. The Mayor and City Commission adopted the resolution on May 20, 2015 and directed the office of Tourism, Culture, and Economic Development to begin handling all planning and material related to USCM.

At the January 13, 2016 City Commission Meeting, Mayor Levine sponsored Resolution 2016-29276, which requested the adoption and implementation of an Ad Hoc Host Committee for the June 2017 U.S. Conference of Mayors. The function of the Ad Hoc Host Committee would be to raise funds to support the Host City activations during the U. S. Conference of Mayors, June 23-26, 2017.  The resolution would allow the Host Committee to accept donations and provide authority to the City Manager or his designee to make expenditures and/or reimbursements of expenses associated with USCM. The Mayor and City Commission unanimously adopted the resolution on January 13, 2016.

The Mayor and Host Committee have been actively partnering with City staff to advance planning for USCM, including the following milestone activities:

·         Appointed a Sponsorship Director to oversee all major fundraising initiatives in tandem with the Host Committee.

·         Expanded of the Host Committee to include ten major stakeholders and community leaders engaged in both an advisory capacity and active fundraising work on behalf of the Committee.

·         Secured and contracted an Events Planner to provide overall planning, execution, logistics, and special events permitting, as well as supervision and execution of transportation and tours; family activities; and coordination with all events subcontractors.

·         Created an internal City staff committee including staff from the City Manager’s office, Mayor’s office, Communications, and spearheaded by the office of Tourism, Culture and Economic Development.

·         Created and refined four signature evening events (Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday from 7-10pm) and three after parties (Friday, Saturday, and Monday) to provide world-class evening experiences for Mayors, delegates and attendees showcasing iconic Miami Beach.

·         Curated a series of ten family-oriented tours for spouses and families of attending mayors to showcase the distinct attractions of Miami Beach.

·         Created and continue to refine an itemized working budget to encompass all associated activities, costs, events, collateral, and staffing needs for the Host Committee activities.

·         Created a sponsorship deck with multiple levels of sponsorship opportunities and associated benefits in order to solicit funding.

·         Secured more than $1 million in in-kind and pro bono services and donations include in-kind venues; artist performances; spirits; and reduced rates for catering and event activations.

·         Secured (as of March 15, 2017) approximately $1.3 million in cash sponsorships from both local and national corporate entities.

The opportunity for the City of Miami Beach to host USCM presents a significant occasion to showcase our city on a national stage, underlining our distinct brand as a world-class destination, enhancing our tourism industry, and sharing the best of Miami Beach with the nation’s leading mayors.  More than 1,500 guests are anticipated to attend, including 300 mayors and their spouses and families, delegates, VIP business leaders, and potentially the Federal Administration including the President and members of Cabinet. The USCM is attendees have taken approximately 800 rooms at the Fontainebleau in June, representing a significant off-season lift for Miami Beach tourism.

The associated costs for Host Committee events and activations include special event permitting fees; City staffing fees (police, fire, sanitation); and building permitting fees as follows:

USCM CITY OF MIAMI BEACH COST ESTIMATES (as of March 20, 2017)

Administration respectfully requests the Mayor and City Commission consider the waiver of the special event fees not to exceed $53,000.00; and to provide funding to cover the City staffing and building permitting fees not to exceed $100,000.00.

The Office of Budget and Performance Improvement has currently identified $100,000 in expenses that will no longer be incurred in FY 2017 to offset the additional expenses for the USCM. In the event that the Special Event fees are not waived, an additional $53,000 will have to be either raised by the Host Committee or identified by the City as additional sponsorship for this event.  It is not recommended to use contingency or reserve funds for the event.

KGB/ES