The Miami Beach Convention Center expects over 600,000 attendees for events spread throughout the year, as it is experiencing a pent-up demand to host events postponed from earlier in the COVID era.
There are 74 meetings, conventions and trade shows booked and confirmed for 2022. Some of the most anticipated shows include FIME, the Florida International Medical Expo, which is one of the biggest events in the medical devices and equipment industry. Last July it presented the Bronner Brothers International Beauty Show, the largest multicultural beauty show in the world, from August 27 to 29, America’s Food & Beverage Show, September 12 and 13, and Art Basel from November 29 to December 3.
“Our team has done an amazing job keeping up with quickly accelerating demand for conventions and meetings in 2022,” said Freddie Peterson, the Center’s general manager. “While at the same time, focusing efforts on sustainable business practices, environmentally friendly programs, and diversity, equity and inclusion, and ADA initiatives to safely harness artificial intelligence data.”
The center hosted about 17 events in 2021, with 77,000 attendees, compared to 38 in 2019, said Ariane Hiltebrand, director of marketing and external relations. Goals fluctuates from year to year, but current goal for events in 2022 is 56, and the total definite bookings for years in the future so far is 192, with a total economic impact of $258 million, according to the State of the Tourism and Hospitality Industry report by Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Important shows planned for next year include the Original Miami Beach Antique Show, scheduled January 19 to 23; the Miami Marathon and Health Fitness Expo, scheduled January 27 and 28, the Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show, which followed a great success this year with more than 100,000 visitors and almost a billion of dollars in total revenue; and Seatrade 2023- scheduled for May 1 to 3.