Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/633921
B M & T ••• November/December 2015 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 17 2,300 hotel rooms in the next 12 months. Global hotel brands are launching flagship projects in Miami, examples include the future downtown-based Marriott Marquis Miami & Expo Center, bringing 1,800 rooms by fall of 2018, and making it the largest hotel in the South Florida area. Meanwhile, the new Faena District is a billion dollar proj- ect spanning several city blocks to include the Faena Hotel Miami Beach, set to open its doors in November 2015. The new EAST Miami Hotel – the first outside of Asia, will open its doors winter of 2016, bringing with it more than 260 rooms in the heart of the new Brickell City Center complex. Already the nation's top gateway into the Americas, Miami continues to see growth in new direct-service from major global carriers. Miami International Airport (MIA) is served by more than 100 airlines, more than any other air- port in the United States. On October 25, 2015, non-stop service from Istanbul with Turkish Airlines began. In the last 12 months, Miami welcomed new non-stop service from Vienna with Austrian Airlines and non-stop service from Manchester with Thomas Cook Airways among many more. The new service comes on the heels of the recent launch of the Doha-Miami route with Qatar Airways – the first non-stop service from the Middle East to the State of Florida. "Miami is officially a luxury destination attracting global premium brands in airline, retail, and hotel categories," says GMCVB Chairman Bruce Orosz. "With more than $5 billion in new development and investment projects coming to Miami and the Beaches in the next three years, it's no surprise that the destination is a preferred location for the production industry as well as global entertainment and sporting events." NEW DEVELOPMENT & INVESTMENT PROJECTS All Aboard Florida – A $2.5 billion privately-run passen- ger train connecting Miami and Orlando. American Dream Miami – American Dream Miami enter- tainment and retail complex proposed for Northwest Miami- Dade backed by the company behind the Mall of the America in Minnesota has been announced. It will be the largest mall in North America. Brickell City Centre – A $1.05 billion project bringing three office buildings, two residential towers, shopping and dining center and EAST Miami Hotel to life in Downtown Miami. Faena District Miami Beach – This comprehensive real estate project created by famous Argentine developer, Alan Faena in collaboration with award winning architects, engi- neers and designers will span three blocks along Collins Ave. Highlights include Faena Saxony Hotel, Faena House (a 24- story building with 47 ocean view luxury residences), Faena Forum (center for dance, theater, political debates, lectures and cultural happenings), Faena Arts Center, Faena Bazaar and Artists-in-Residence Center, Faena Park, a Marina and gardens. Miami World Center in Downtown Miami – One of the largest private master-planned projects in the U.S. at $2 bil- lion will include retail, restaurants, entertainment, residential and commercial offerings plus an 1,800-room Marriott Hotel with 600,000 square feet expo center. Patricia & Phillip Frost Museum of Science – Completing Miami's new Museum Park, home to the new Perez Art Museum and Miami Science Museum, this new scientific, educational and career resource will enrich lives with its real- life marvels, interactive exhibits, and exciting learning adven- tures in a state-of-the-art energy-efficient building. Skyrise Miami in Downtown – Set to open in 2018, the 1,000 foot observation tower will include an amusement park-style ride that drops people down its side, a 550 foot bungee jump, a ballroom, moving movie theater and night- club. About The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) is an independent accredited not-for-profit sales and marketing organization whose mission is to attract visitors to Greater Miami and the Beaches for leisure, business and conventions. For a vacation guide visit www.MiamiandBeaches.com or call (888) 76-Miami (US/Canada only) or (305) 447-7777. To reach the GMCVB offices dial (305) 539-3000. Meeting planners may call (800) 933-8448 (US/Canada only) or (305) 539-3071 or visit www.MiamiMeetings.com.