At the City Commission meeting on September 27, 2016, the Mayor and City Commission adopted Resolution No. 2016-29590, approving a 10-Point Plan for Ocean Drive. Ordinance No. 2017-4092, codifying point 4(F) of the 10-Point Plan, requires that every manager and every employee assigned to work in a sidewalk café on Ocean Drive to successfully complete a hospitality training program that has been previously approved by Resolution of the Mayor and City Commission. Staff requests that the Mayor and City Commission approve the Forbes Hospitality Program, pursuant to this ordinance.
Currently, the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority (MBVCA) partners with Forbes Travel Guide to provide citywide hospitality training, however, the Ocean Drive Association (ODA) asked that any training provided to sidewalk café staff/personnel be tailored to specifically address code of ordinance issues unique to Ocean Drive. The MBVCA will adapt their hospitality training for Ocean Drive Sidewalk Cafes, fulfilling ODA’s request. The training will be designed to enable everyone who interacts with the visitors and residents of the City of Miami Beach in a courteous and professional manner, as well as reeducate operators on the City’s rules and regulations.
As part of the program, Forbes Travel Guide's seasoned executive trainers will provide 2.5-hour classes at no cost to the City or participants. Upon completion of the Forbes’s program, City staff will provide Ocean Drive employees educational component on the City of Miami Beach’s sidewalk café code standards in order to create a dynamic and informative program.