City of Miami Beach Officials, Finance Committee, and Convention Center Advisory Board voted unanimously to approve a two-year extension with Global Spectrum to continue providing innovative management, sales, marketing and operations of the Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC) and Colony Theatre.
“We are pleased to have Global Spectrum managing the Miami Beach Convention Center for the next two years,” said Jorge Gonzalez, City of Miami Beach’s city manager. “Coming into the City, the GS management team committed to enhancing the visitor’s experience and focusing on the Center’s financial bottom line. In both cases they have exceeded everyone’s expectations. Congratulations to John Page, Bob Balsam and the entire Global Spectrum team. “
Global Spectrum was awarded the original contract in October 2008 and within the first fiscal year, reduced its operating loss by over $600,000, boasted an electrical savings of over $140,000, and decreased overall expenses by over $1,000,000 over previous management. In three years, Global Spectrum successfully hosted more than 300 events with over 1.5 million attendees and played an integral role in the revitalization and enhancement of the MBCC.
“We are very lucky to have Global back for two more years,” said Jonah Wolfson, City of Miami Beach commissioner. “I’ve been pleased with their work and look forward to many more years.”
Most recently, major city-wide events at the MBCC in 2010 and 2011 boasted record breaking attendance numbers, internationally and nationally, including; American Academy of Dermatology (19,500+), American Institute of Architects (17,000+), and Society of Critical Care Medicine (5,900+). Most recently, the MBCC welcomed to its first U.S. City, China Sourcing (first China-based show ever at the MBCC) and Global Spectrum secured International Society for Pediatric Adult Diabetes, American Academy of Periodontology, Society of Nuclear Medicine, Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics Conference, and WrestleMania’s Axxxess all on the books for FY 2012.
“Our professional team dedicated themselves to enhancing the MBCC every day. And on top of these successes, increased survey scores across the board, including Sales and Marketing, Operations, and Event and Guest Services, resulting in an overall positive rating increase to over 94 percent,” said Bob Balsam, Global Spectrum’s general manager at the Miami Beach Convention Center. “We are proud to have unanimous support for the City of Miami Beach and look forward to continuing long-lasting partnerships with all of our community partners for years to come.”
Upon arrival, Global Spectrum instituted a new How YOU Doin’? and guest services program to improve customer service, started an annual client users meeting to increase communication efforts with show organizers, implemented new innovative marketing solutions from an in-house marketing agency, digital signage and mobile messaging platforms to enhance the attendee experience, developed in-house events and community initiatives, and launched a comprehensive green initiatives program, STEP UP, (Global Spectrum’s Total Environmental Plan) to reduce expenses for the City of Miami Beach.
