Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority

What Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority does

The Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority (MBVCA) is a seven-member, non-profit government tourism authority appointed by the City of Miami Beach Commission, founded in 1967 and headquartered at 1701 Meridian Avenue, Suite 403, Miami Beach. Its statutory mandate is to encourage, develop, and promote the image of Miami Beach locally, nationally, and internationally as a tourism destination. The organization does not sell to visitors directly; instead it operates an integrated destination-marketing stack that includes the consumer-facing Experience Miami Beach website (experiencemiamibeach.com), the EXP Miami Beach Tours App for self-guided itineraries, and the NextZen/Submittable-powered Grants Portal for tourism-advancement funding applications. Supporting visitor infrastructure includes two physical visitor centers — the Miami Beach Visitor Center and the LGBTQ Visitor Center — plus the Forbes Travel Guide hospitality training program offered free to City of Miami Beach-based employees.

MBVCA distributes tourism-advancement grants across multiple categories (Development Opportunities, Film Incentive, Major Events, Special Events Recurring, Special Projects, Special Projects Recurring, and Tourism Partnerships) and provides official sponsorship to a portfolio of 15+ recurring anchor events including SOBEWFF, Miami Beach Pride, HYROX, Wodapalooza, Paraiso Miami Swim Week, SCOPE, Orange Bowl, and the CFP National Championship. Its go-to-market blends event-driven destination marketing (World Cup 2026, CFP, Pride), community-led LGBTQ+ tourism positioning, and direct-to-consumer digital channels (website and mobile app). Strategic media partnerships include Vogue, Architectural Digest, Vanity Fair, Saks Fifth Avenue, NBC Today Show, and The Knot, supplemented by influencer collaborations and earned-media press distributed through PR Newswire.

Funding flows from City of Miami Beach allocation rather than visitor fees, with a current leadership team of Chair Mohan Koka (appointed May 2024), Vice Chair Ana Cecilia Velasco (appointed February 2026), and Executive Director Grisette Roque Marcos. The organization carries no external investors, has 1-10 employees, and has accumulated multi-year recognition including World Travel Awards (North America's Leading Beach Destination, World's Leading Lifestyle Destination) and multiple Travel Weekly Magellan Awards through 2025.

Name

Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority

Legal name

Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority

Website

https://miamibeachvca.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority is a non-profit government tourism authority, appointed by the City of Miami Beach Commission, that promotes Miami Beach as a destination through grants, event sponsorship, the Experience Miami Beach website and mobile app, visitor centers, and strategic media partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Miami Beach

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Marketing or Sales, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Tourism Advancement Grants: Distributes grant funding to organizations that stimulate tourism, increase hotel occupancy, and generate media impact for Miami Beach between October 1 and September 30 annually. Funded through City of Miami Beach allocation.
2. Event Sponsorship: Provides financial support and official sponsorship to events including HYROX Miami, Model Volleyball Tournament, and major cultural festivals that align with the authority's tourism promotion mission.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

The MBVCA is a government tourism authority that promotes Miami Beach as a travel destination through destination marketing, event sponsorship, tourism grants administration, and visitor services. It operates the Experience Miami Beach consumer website, the EXP Miami Beach Tours mobile app, two physical visitor centers, and a free Forbes Travel Guide hospitality training program. The authority distributes grant funding to event organizers whose activities stimulate tourism and increase hotel occupancy in Miami Beach.

Product overview

The Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority (MBVCA) operates as a seven-member tourism promotion authority rather than a technology company. Its core product offerings include the Experience Miami Beach Website (experiencemiamibeach.com), a comprehensive tourism booking and information platform; the EXP Miami Beach Tours App, a mobile application for self-guided tours and itineraries; and a Grants Portal powered by NextZen/Submittable for managing tourism development grants. Supporting visitor services include the LGBTQ Visitor Center and Miami Beach Visitor Center, while the Forbes Travel Guide Hospitality Training program provides skill development for hospitality workers. These digital and physical services work together to promote Miami Beach as a premier tourist destination.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Experience Miami Beach: Official tourism website launched by MBVCA featuring curated guides, hotel deals, and travel planning resources for Miami Beach visitors.
• EXP Miami Beach Tours App
• Forbes Travel Guide Hospitality Training

Products and services

• Experience Miami Beach Website A consumer-facing tourism booking and information resource website operated by the MBVCA that helps visitors plan trips to Miami Beach, featuring curated guides, hotel deals, dining recommendations, and event information. Targeted at individual leisure and business travelers.
• EXP Miami Beach Tours App A free digital tour guide mobile app providing self-guided walking tours, Art Deco landmark navigation, neighborhood guides, and curated itineraries for exploring Miami Beach. Targeted at individual tourists and visitors.
• Grants Portal (NextZen/Submittable) An online grants management portal powered by NextZen/Submittable that enables applicants to create accounts, submit grant applications, track awards, submit supporting documents, and complete pre- and post-event reports. Targeted at event organizers and tourism organizations applying for MBVCA funding.
• LGBTQ Visitor Center A physical visitor center providing essential resources for LGBTQ+ tourists, promoting socioeconomic development, and offering education, travel, and tourism outreach operated in partnership with the Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. Targeted at LGBTQ+ travelers visiting Miami Beach.
• Miami Beach Visitor Center A physical visitor center at 100 16th Street powered by the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce offering concierge services, customized itineraries, multilingual assistance, and promotional materials for exploring Miami Beach. Targeted at individual tourists and visitors to Miami Beach.
• Forbes Travel Guide Hospitality Training A free web-based hospitality training program available to City of Miami Beach-based employees and residents, providing dynamic learning courses through Forbes Travel Guide's training platform to improve hospitality skills and elevate guest experiences. Targeted at Miami Beach hospitality industry employees.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 200,000 attendees expected for 2026 CFP National Championship, with 75% being tourists
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PLAYLAB INC.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 June 2026Created the REEFLINE immersive arena at Lummus Park as part of the Miami Host Committee's World Cup legacy programming. The installation uses soccer to advance ocean literacy and highlight REEFLINE's conservation mission.
• Green Key GlobalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 April 2026Partnership with Green Key Global, an independent organization that assesses and certifies hotels for environmental sustainability, to help Miami properties reduce their environmental footprint and compete globally as a sustainable destination. The bureau subsidizes 50% of first-year certification costs.
• Miami Center for Architecture and Design (MCAD)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 27 February 2026Organizational partner for Open House Miami 2026 festival, providing architecture and design-focused programming.
• Miami-Dade CountyminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 27 February 2026Government partner for Open House Miami 2026, supporting citywide architecture and design festival.
• City of Coral GablesminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 27 February 2026Municipal partner for Open House Miami 2026 festival programming.
• Miami Downtown Development AuthorityminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 27 February 2026Partner supporting Open House Miami 2026 festival in downtown Miami area.
• AIA MiamiminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 27 February 2026Architecture association partner for Open House Miami 2026 festival.
• Forbes Travel GuidecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFree hospitality training program available to all City of Miami Beach-based employees, providing dynamic web-based learning courses for improving hospitality skills and elevating guest experience through Forbes Travel Guide's training platform.
• Miami Beach Chamber of CommercecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership to power the Miami Beach Visitor Center, providing concierge services, customized itineraries, and visitor information throughout Miami Beach.
• Greater Miami Convention and Visitors BureaucoreGTM or Marketing PartnerStrategic tourism partner providing support for visitor center operations and destination marketing efforts.
• Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of CommercecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership supporting the LGBTQ Visitor Center's education, travel, and tourism outreach mission.
• Ocean Drive AssociationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner organization led by Vice Chair Ana Cecilia Velasco, managing high-profile events including Super Bowl programming and New Year's Eve celebrations on Ocean Drive.
• Miami Design and Preservation LeaguecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerConducts daily Art Deco walking tours at 10:30 a.m., promoting Miami Beach's architectural heritage.
• VogueminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia partner for integrated marketing campaigns showcasing Miami Beach's fashion and lifestyle offerings.
• Architectural DigestminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia partner for design and architecture-focused content promoting Miami Beach.
• Vanity FairminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia partner for integrated marketing campaigns.
• Saks Fifth AvenueminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRetail partner for marketing collaborations featuring Miami Beach fashion and style.
• NBC Today ShowminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia partner for national broadcast coverage of Miami Beach destinations and events.
• The KnotminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWedding and romance media partner for honeymoon and couples marketing.
• ESPNcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial broadcast partner for College Football Playoff events and Orange Bowl, delivering millions of listeners and viewers.
• Fashion TVminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBroadcast partner for Paraiso Miami Beach swim week fashion shows.
• National LGBTQ Task ForcecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHost organization for Winter Party Festival, a world-renowned LGBTQ+ celebration generating significant tourism.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Visit Orlando: Florida's largest DMO by budget and visitation, focused on theme-park and convention visitors. Competes with Miami Beach for Florida share-of-trip and overlapping leisure segments, especially family and group travel.
• NYC Tourism + Conventions: New York City's official DMO performing destination marketing, event support, and grants to drive overnight visitation. Comparable function to MBVCA at much greater scale, with overlapping mega-event and LGBTQ+ tourism initiatives.
• Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA): The archetypal destination-marketing authority in the US, funded by room tax and running marketing, event-grant, and sponsorship programs structurally identical to MBVCA's, though at far larger scale. A useful peer for governance and operating-model benchmarking.
• Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau: The official DMO for Greater Miami and the Beaches, headquartered adjacent to MBVCA, also named in MBVCA's own partnerships. Performs the same destination-marketing, grants-and-events function for a broader geographic territory that overlaps directly with Miami Beach's catchment.
• Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board: The official DMO for Los Angeles, performing destination promotion, event sponsorship, and partnership marketing. Operates on a similar model of room-tax funding, partner grants, and large-event sponsorship in another top-tier US travel market.
• Visit Lauderdale: The DMO for Greater Fort Lauderdale, the closest direct competitor for sun-and-beach visitors in South Florida. Targets overlapping leisure and event segments and competes for the same hotel-tax-funded tourism budget pool as MBVCA.

Broad incumbents

• Visit Florida: The state-level DMO for Florida, which MBVCA explicitly partners with. Acts as the umbrella marketing organization that local DMOs like MBVCA coordinate with and partially depend on for cooperative international campaigns.
• Brand USA: The United States' national destination marketing organization operating inbound tourism campaigns. Functions as a higher-tier umbrella over state and city DMOs, including MBVCA, with cooperative marketing and global promotional reach.

Regional players

• Tourism Toronto: The official DMO for Toronto, Canada, executing destination marketing, major-event bids, and partnership programs structurally aligned with MBVCA but in a different primary market and country. Useful cross-border peer for strategy comparison.
• Choose Chicago: Chicago's official DMO, conducting destination promotion, event support, and partner marketing in a different US metro. Comparable in structure and operating model to MBVCA despite geographic separation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MBVCA
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/miami-beach-visitor-and-convention-authority
• Instagraminstagram.com/miami_beach_vca

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority