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Category: Business
Miami Beach celebrated National Small Business Week from April 30 to May 6, 2023, and International Economic Development Week May 8 to May 12, 2023! Small businesses play a crucial role in Miami Beach’s economy, accounting for over 90% of all businesses in the area. The Miami Beach business community provides employment opportunities for thousands of people, stimulates innovation, and fosters a sense of community. The Miami Beach Economic Development Department is committed to supporting small businesses by providing technical assistance, access to funding and financing, and networking opportunities. We do this by increasing awareness of local programs, incentives and grants that create jobs, advance career opportunities, build capacity, and improve the quality of life in Miami Beach and beyond.
For more information, visit here.
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The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) announced that Greater Miami and Miami Beach has been granted the title of “2023 Food City of the Year” by the esteemed food and beverage publication, Bon Appétit. To celebrate, the GMCVB, alongside Miami-Dade County, officially commemorated April 5th as “Food City of the Year Day” to honor the community’s success as a culinary leader and inspire the industry’s growth for years to come.
This announcement comes on the heels of additional culinary honors for Greater Miami and Miami Beach, including new stars awarded by the Michelin Guide, which arrived in Florida for the first time in 2022, as well as advancements in the 2023 James Beard Awards, which recently selected eight local restaurants, chefs and bakeries as semifinalists and one local bakery as a finalist. National news headlines have also spotlighted Miami’s dining scene in recent years, with media outlets Robb Report and Bloomberg dubbing the city as “America’s Hottest Dining Scene” and “the most exciting food city in the country,” respectively.
“These recent recognitions by leading voices in the culinary space validate Greater Miami and Miami Beach’s work and dedication to building and supporting a vibrant food and beverage community,” said David Whitaker, president and CEO of the GMCVB. “Culinary tourism is a strong motivator for travel, and we remain incredibly thankful to the chefs, restaurateurs, mixologists and the event producers who have helped make our local hospitality industry one of the best in the world.”
Today, Greater Miami and Miami Beach’s assortment of dining, entertainment and cultural experiences has proven to be a primary motivator for visitors per a recent Greater Miami and Miami Beach Visitor Industry Report. The report also shows the destination saw a 50% increase in food and gastro-tourism alone in 2021, surpassing pre-pandemic numbers. Propelling this shift is a recent influx of new dining concepts and top-tier culinary talent, in addition to nationally recognized culinary programming that continues to put the destination on the map, such as the annual South Beach Wine & Food Festival and Miami Spice Restaurant Months.
To discover and learn more about the robust restaurant community across Greater Miami and Miami Beach, please visit here.
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Miami Beach celebrated National Small Business Week from April 30 to May 6, 2023, and International Economic Development Week May 8 to May 12, 2023! Small businesses play a crucial role in Miami Beach’s economy, accounting for over 90% of all businesses in the area. The Miami Beach business community provides employment opportunities for thousands of people, stimulates innovation, and fosters a sense of community. The Miami Beach Economic Development Department is committed to supporting small businesses by providing technical assistance, access to funding and financing, and networking opportunities. We do this by increasing awareness of local programs, incentives and grants that create jobs, advance career opportunities, build capacity, and improve the quality of life in Miami Beach and beyond.
For more information, visit here.
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On May 10, the New World Symphony (NWS) in Miami Beach hosted the highly anticipated TEDx Miami event. The 2023theme, “Promise of Tomorrow”, served as a beacon of innovation, creativity, and forward-thinking. Mayor Dan Gelber welcomed the 600+ audience, emphasizing Miami Beach as a thriving hub for transformative ideas and initiatives.
The event was a resounding success, featuring a lineup of eminent speakers. Renowned architect Charles Renfro opened discussions with his insights on the evolving role of architecture in modern times. We were treated to the vibrant rhythms of Latinx pop artist Gina Chavez, while Deloitte’s Chief Well-being Officer, Jen Fisher, explored the significance of human-centered organizational cultures.
Dr. Julie Radlauer-Doerfler highlighted the impact of personal connections, and WOHASU’s CEO, Karen Guggenheim, shared her insights on collective post-traumatic growth. Dr. Landolf Rhode-Barbarigos presented innovative strategies to combat rising sea levels, and Leigh-Ann Buchanan, President of the Miami-Dade Innovation Authority, emphasized the importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in innovation.
Cybersecurity was brought to the forefront by Ralph Echemendia, the “Ethical Hacker,” who provided a gripping look at personal cyber security. The event was further enriched by a surprise performance by his daughter, who performed her original song, “Privacy.” The day concluded with a vibrant performance by artist Romero Britto, encapsulating the joyful spirit of his art.
As we reflect on the “Promise of Tomorrow”, the TEDx Miami event was not just a gathering, but a living narrative of the future we strive to create. Looking forward to the return of TEDx Miami, we remain committed to nurturing these inspiring ideas into actionable realities for the prosperity of our city.
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eMerge Americas 2023 was a testament to the growing tech environment in Greater Miami, attracting over 15,000 attendees and 400 exhibiting companies from around the world. The conference, held on May 20th and 21st at the Miami Beach Convention Center, showcased cutting-edge technologies and innovations from startups and established companies. The focus on artificial intelligence (AI) technology demonstrated how this emerging industry is rapidly changing healthcare, finance, and transportation.
As part of a long-term vision to establish Greater Miami as a global tech hub, the event’s organizers collaborated with leading organizations such as the Miami-Dade Beacon Council and the Knight Foundation.
The City of Miami Beach was also a sponsor of the event and debuted a new booth showcasing relocation incentives for tech companies looking to set up their base in Miami Beach, along with an activation by the Information Technology (IT) department showcasing innovative data and analytics implemented at the city. The conference highlighted the region’s growing tech environment and showcased the exciting opportunities for startups, investors, and established corporations to thrive. Miami Beach Mayor, Dan Gelber, presented a proclamation to Manny Medina, the founder of eMerge Americas, in recognition of his contributions to the Miami-Dade tech industry and highlighting his vision and leadership in creating the conference and his commitment to fostering innovation and growth in the region.
In addition to the focus on AI, eMerge Americas 2023 was a significant event for startups and entrepreneurs to connect with investors and seek funding opportunities. The Google for Startups’ Latino Founders Fund awarded $150,000 in equity-free funding, Google cloud credits, and mentorship to Kriptos, a startup from Argentina. The eMerge Hackathon’s winning team received a $10,000 prize for their project, a predictive flood model that helps city officials visualize storm-induced flooding to aid residents.
The main event of the conference was the Startup Showcase Showdown, which included 25 semifinalists pitching their ideas to win the $420,000 investment prize from Florida Funders, Panoramic Ventures, and eMerge Americas. The panel of judges chose Healthbird, a Miami-based startup that simplifies the process of buying health insurance and managing healthcare needs with an all-in-one platform, as the winner of the investment prize.
eMerge Americas 2023 also featured a special appearance by former NFL quarterback Tom Brady, who delivered a keynote speech on his experience with innovation and technology in sports. Brady discussed the role of technology in improving performance, training, and injury prevention, and highlighted the potential for technology to enhance various aspects of the sports industry. His speech was a highlight of the conference and showcased the exciting possibilities that technology can bring to different fields.
eMerge Americas 2023 demonstrated how startups and entrepreneurs can connect with investors and seek funding opportunities in Greater Miami, highlighting the region’s growing tech environment and the exciting opportunities it provides.
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In the current technology-driven world, the role of a Chief Information Officer (CIO) has never been more important. This is particularly true for the City of Miami Beach as we strive to be efficient, sustainable, and innovative. A determined, resourceful, and successful CIO can impact whether Miami Beach is a thriving, modern community versus a struggling community trying to keep pace. Miami Beach is fortunate to have, Frank Quintana, a passionate, inventive, and creative leader at the forefront of information technology.
Frank joined the City of Miami Beach in August 2014 and served as Division Director of IT Operations for five years prior to being promoted to CIO. Frank is responsible for driving innovation, strategic planning and overseeing the design, release, and maintenance of all technology services and systems. With more than 23 years of diverse senior level IT experience, in the private and public sector, including small and large corporations, professional sports (Miami Dolphins), and entertainment (Hard Rock Stadium), Frank is keenly prepared to manage and oversee the 55 member IT team.
As technology increasingly becomes a crucial part of our daily lives, especially in the aftermath of the pandemic, which forced us to adapt to a new normal, virtual technology is now front and center, connecting teams and stakeholders, advancing operations, and enhancing productivity. Accordingly, the role of the CIO is more integral to the effectiveness, strategy, and responsiveness of municipal government.
A testament to Frank’s leadership and ability to keep Miami Beach dynamic and modern, the IT Department received the Florida Local Government Information System Association (FLGISA) 2022 Innovative Leadership in Management of Information Technology Award for creating an original platform open-data resource tool for the community. The tool allows the General Obligation Bond (G.O. Bond) Program to transparently provide an interactive public website, www.GOMBlnfo.com, that reports all stages and elements of 57 “quality of life” projects in real time. The tool is transforming how Miami Beach illustrates project progress and engages with members of the community.
Creating new tools is only one facet of how IT elevates how the City of Miami Beach delivers for the community. Communicating and promoting the City of Miami Beach as a best in class destination to do business, live, work and play is also an important deliverable. To do so, the IT Department partners with departments to share the benefits of Miami Beach, including partnering with the Economic Development Department at eMerge Americas 2023, held at the Miami Beach Convention Center from April 20-21, 2023. The teams debuted a Make A Bold Move exhibition booth and worked to attract technology and fintech companies and entrepreneurs to open, move and/or relocate to Miami Beach and the IT Department shared analytic data explaining, in real time, the cleanliness of the city and other quality of life matters.
Driving a successful IT Department is challenging and Frank and his team are prepared and ready – leveraging resources, exploring new opportunities and tools, and embedding a customer focus in every element of their service delivery.
For more information on the IT Department, please visit: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/information-technology/
Small Business Development Division – Internal Services Department presents “A Conversation with the Director” Wednesday, April 19, 2023 from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Miami-Dade Business Navigator Lenders Roundtable & Access to Capital
April 4, 2023
Why do some businesses easily obtain loans while others don’t? The answer starts with you, the business owner. Learn how to make your business loan-worthy & receive key insights from a panel of access to capital providers & learn the steps to creating a bankable business.
Click here to register for this free event.
Accounting Made Easy for You (An Introduction to Accounting)
April 18, 2023
The workshop will cover in greater detail the basic accounting documents that every micro-business will need to operate effectively with the use of simple examples and a case study. Participants will learn about the basic financial documents that all small businesses should use and its importance. The workshop will focus on documents such as:
An Income StatementA Cash Flow Statement
A Balance Sheet
A Profit & Loss Statement
The Economic Development Department team attended the South by Southwest (SXSW) Conference and Festivals in Austin, Texas, underscoring the City’s commitment to fostering a supportive, innovative environment for local businesses. SXSW offers valuable insights into the latest trends in business and entrepreneurship, health and med-tech, and tech industry and enterprise, empowering the City to promote Miami Beach as a business destination and help businesses stay competitive in the global market.
Participation in the conference provided unparalleled access to industry developments, networking opportunities with the tech community, venture capitalist and financial services professionals, knowledge sharing through workshops and panels, and talent attraction by showcasing Miami Beach’s thriving business community. By incorporating insights from SXSW, the department can create a prosperous, forward-thinking economy that benefits all Miami Beach residents and entrepreneurs, while enhancing the city’s ability to attract new and emerging startups, support local businesses, and drive economic growth and innovation.
On February 28th, the City of Miami Beach partnered with eMerge Americas to host a vibrant and inspiring Black History Month event, “eMerge Americas Celebrate: A DEI Series Event.” Held at Grown, a new Miami Beach restaurant owned by Shannon Allen, the event showcased the city’s commitment to fostering innovation and economic growth within the tech industry, by giving special focus on supporting Black entrepreneurs. Diverse business owners, tech enthusiasts, and investors gathered to network, share ideas, and collaborate on future ventures.
Moderated by Miami Beach Assistant City Manager and Director for the Economic Development Department, Rickelle Williams emphasized the significance of collaboration, sharing, “the partnership between the City of Miami Beach and eMerge Americas is crucial to creating a thriving and inclusive tech ecosystem. By supporting Black entrepreneurs, encouraging their voices, and addressing their issues, we are safeguard the health and vitality of the city’s diverse ecosystem. “
The event highlighted the importance of inclusion and diversity in the tech industry and served as an essential platform for business owners and entrepreneurs to connect, learn, and start and grow their businesses in the City of Miami Beach. The event featured an esteemed panel of experts, including Samella Watson, founder of BLCK (Block), Chandler Malone, CEO of Bootup, and Kimberly Marshall, a renowned angel investor. Samella Watson shared her journey as a successful entrepreneur and the challenges she overcame in the blockchain space. Chandler Malone shed light on how his company empowers underrepresented founders to launch and scale their startups. Finally, Kimberly Marshall offered valuable advice on securing funding and navigating the investment landscape for minority-owned businesses. Together, these panelists demonstrated the breadth of talent and innovation within the Black entrepreneurial community, inspiring attendees to pursue their own dreams in the tech industry.
For more information about upcoming eMerge America events, please visit here.
