The City of Miami Beach Economic Development Department is pleased to provide you with this monthly business newsletter that includes the latest information and resources available for our business community.



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Paving the Way to Success in the Digital Age in Miami Beach

In the current technology-driven world, the role of Chief Information Officer (CIO) has never been more important. This is particularly true for 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, innovative and creative CIO. 



Click here to read more.

Small Business Week 2023 and International Economic Development Week 2023

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.

eMerge Americas 2023 Recap

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.

TEDxMiami 2023 Recap

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.

News Cafe Reopens

News Cafe, the storied South Beach restaurant, bar, and newsstand that helped spur the neighborhood’s revival in the 1980s, has reopened at its original location after a pandemic-induced closure in early 2021. The newly refurbished restaurant, now operated by Vida & Estilo Restaurant Group, features an updated design and a Mediterranean-American menu that pays homage to its iconic past.

Founded by restaurateur Mark Soyka in 1989, News Cafe quickly became a fixture of the local Miami Beach community, attracting everyone from celebrities like Gianni Versace — who famously dined at News Cafe on the morning of his untimely death — to locals and tourists. For over 30 years, the restaurant remained open 24 hours, serving thousands of guests daily.

Greater Miami and Miami Beach named Bon Appetit’s 2023 “Food City of The Year”

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.

BUSINESS RESOURCES

a16z Podcast

Courtesy of Miami Beach based Andreessen Horowitz or a16z, Miami Beach has access to the a16z Podcast. The a16z Podcast discusses tech and culture trends, news, and the future. It features industry experts, business leaders, and other interesting thinkers and voices from around the world to our backyard. Listen, learn and connect with entrepreneurs, investors, executives, engineers, academics, industry experts and more in the technology ecosystem.

a16z Podcast: How To Understand and Choose a Venture Investor

a16z Podcast: How To Raise Money from a Venture Investor

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY AVAILABLE

Looking for retail space? Consider this North Beach location at 325 71st St or this corner space in the heart of Mid Beach at 761 W 41st St. If South Beach is on your list consider this location at 826 Collins Ave.

To view other available properties, click here.

City of Miami Beach Seeks Interest for Mixed-Use Development on City-Owned Parking Lots Near 41st Street  

The City of Miami Beach Economic Development Department announces Request for Letters of Interest (RFLI) 2023-435-KB, seeking nonbinding letters of interest from developers for potential mixed-use projects on five city-owned parking lots near 41 Street, addressing traffic, parking impacts, and key quality of life issues. Projects may include, but are not limited to, parking, affordable housing, class A office space, and public facilities/amenities. Future redevelopment would require providing replacement parking or mitigating the loss of spaces. Deadline for submissions is Friday, June 9, 2023, at 3:00PM.

For details on RFLI 2023-435-KB, please click here.

BUSINESS NEWSFLASH

Real estate firm opens 6,000-square-foot office in Miami Beach's Lincoln Road

A newly formed private equity and commercial real estate firm that focuses on single-tenant retail properties has leased about 6,000 square feet of office on South Beach’s Lincoln Road.

Stax Equity moved into the sixth and seventh floors in the Van Dyke Building at 846 Lincoln Road in December 2022. The firm currently employs 11 full-time independent contractors and will hire 14 more later this year in the roles of real estate, finance, investments, operations, design and marketing, said Michael Salafia, Stax Equity’s founder and managing director.

“Several of Stax Equity’s employees are graduates from South Florida schools and the company will continue to hire from these schools starting with interns this summer,” Salafia said. Formed in November, Stax Equity has already acquired and invested $100 million in acquiring and improving single retail properties across the U.S., said James Irvine, Stax Equity’s head of investor relations. The properties are acquired with private equity clients and later sold to investors in mostly off-market deals.



Read more here.

Ecco Comes to Miami Beach

Danish footwear and leather goods maker ECCO will launch a new pop-up retail experience in Miami Beach to coincide with the brand’s 60^th Anniversary. During the months of May and June, ECCO’s space will be at 701 Lincoln Road in the heart of Miami Beach’s shopping and pedestrian district. The location will have 3,000 square feet of shoppable space. Visit and shop there! 

LOCAL EVENTS

The Hyundai Air & Sea Show

May 27 - May 28, 2023

“The Greatest Show Above the Earth™” showcases the men, women, technology and equipment from all six branches of the United States Military as well as our police, firefighters and their first responder agencies. This two-day spectacular event on Memorial Day Weekend features the Cigarette offshore powerboat racing exhibition, extreme water sports, the FPL Display Village and more, all on the beautiful shores of Miami Beach.  

For more information and to purchase tickets click here.

World of Travel Trade & Taste Expo Miami 2023

May 31 - June 3, 2023

The World of Travel, Trade & Taste Expo will take place at the Miami Beach Convention Center from May 31 - June 3, 2023. 

Visit and discover the world’s most unique tourism destinations, global trade products, investment opportunities, meet industry experts from airlines, hotels, destination travel partners, cultural educational presentations and taste of international gastronomy.

For more information and to purchase tickets click here.

City of Miami Beach Weekly Meetings

Stay up to date on all of our upcoming meetings. From Commission meetings to committee meetings, please click here for a full list with links to participate.

BUSINESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

City of Miami Beach Vacant Storefront Cover Program

The City of Miami Beach relaunched the Vacant Storefront Cover Program in a continued effort to improve the appearance of vacant, street-level commercial buildings and support the lease-up of retail spaces throughout the Miami Beach. Now the City is excited to announce five new designs have been added to the Program catalog.

First unveiled in 2019, this initiative supports property owners, brokers, realtors and property managers by wrapping vacant storefront windows free of charge with one of ten (10) artistic designs preapproved by the City.

Click here to learn more about the program and how to get started. Interested brokers, realtors, property owners and managers should apply here and email the completed application to Mbbiz@miamibeachfl.gov.



Miami Beach Expedited Plan Review and Permitting Incentive Program

The City of Miami Beach is committed to diversifying the local economy by attracting and retaining companies in targeted industries like, financial services and technology. As part of this effort, the City is also offering an Expedited Plan Review and Permitting Program to incentivize targeted relocations, including expansions and associated development for companies. Click here to review full program guidelines.

Miami Beach Job Creation Incentive Program

The City of Miami Beach is offering the Job Creation Incentive Program (JCIP), a performance-based incentive adopted by the City Commission. The program aims to strategically attract new financial service companies and technology firms while helping existing businesses expand in Miami Beach to increase the number of high-wage jobs. Click here for more info and application details.

How to Apply for a Business Tax Receipt and a Certificate of Use

The choices you make affect your business operations, taxes, legal requirements, and revenue. View what you need to operate a business in Miami Beach here.

Plastic Free Miami Beach

Plastic comprises up to 97% of marine debris, and its dominance in the environment is explained by its abundance and nearly endless lifecycle. According to a United Nations, over eight million metric tons of plastic are found in our oceans every year, impacting our marine wildlife, fisheries, and tourism, and costing at least $8 billion in damage to marine ecosystems.

Plastic Free Miami Beach (#PlasticFreeMB) is a program that showcases businesses that have taken action to reduce single-use plastics from their establishment, and helps organizations learn about and implement best practices in the area of plastic waste reduction. The 3-tiered voluntary program allows participating businesses to choose the most suitable level which reflects their current plastic reduction practices. The more single-use plastic items that businesses transition away from, the higher the level they can reach.  

Register your business at Miami Beach - Rising Above (mbrisingabove.com)

List of Participating Plastic Free MB Businesses

Pop-Up Venue Permit

Pop-up venues are temporary retail spaces that can be used to promote and sell products of all types, ranging from food and beverages, clothing or unique gifts. The concept has the potential for low overhead, low risk and is a great way to introduce yourself to the market, generate buzz, increase sales and extend the reach and exposure of your business. To apply for a City of Miami Beach Pop-Up Venue permit click here.

PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Looking for Bid Opportunities?

If you would like to be notified of available competitive solicitations released by the City of Miami Beach, you must register your company through Periscope S2G, Supplier-to-Government by clicking here. Registration is easy and will take only a few minutes. Refer to the guide for instructions on how to register and submit an electronic bid here.

Become A Registered City of Miami Beach Vendor 

To read more and to register click here.

CONTACT US

Visit MBBIZ.com or contact the Economic Development team here for more information on resources, finding the perfect location(s) for your business expansion or sharing  ideas for future topics. 

NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE

Missed a prior edition? Check out previous newsletters and business spotlight stories here.