'Milestones putting Sunny Isles Beach'
Bari Auerbach

At the new Visitor Center now open in Government Center, you can get free maps of the city – but what’s really putting Sunny Isles Beach “on the map” is the series of progressive initiatives garnering international notoriety for Florida’s Riviera… 

Haitian Diaspora Unity Congress
Sunny Isles Beach was recently in the international spotlight when former President Bill Clinton along with Haitian Prime Minister Michele Pierre-Louis plus hundreds of Haitian and Haitian-American professionals met at the Trump International Beach Resort for the opening of the Haitian Diaspora Unity Congress. The event was also attended by diverse business, community and political leaders joining in discussions about ways to help Haiti in the wake of food riots, a political crisis and catastrophic hurricanes.
In keeping with the mission to lend support to Haitians, the Sunny Isles Beach City Commission recently approved a resolution urging President Barack Obama to grant Temporary Protective Status to Haitians in the United States. During the Diaspora Unity Conference, Clinton also addressed immigration issues that concern Haitians living in the United States. He urged those fighting for Temporary Protected Status on behalf of an estimated 30,000 undocumented Haitians to “keep the pressure on [Washington] but to do so respectfully.”

 ‘All That Jazz’
Once again, the city is getting “jazzed” about the second annual Sunny Isles Beach Jazz Fest – an acclaimed cultural event that earned accolades last year for world-class entertainment performed by award-winning jazz artists including David Sanborne.

This year’s Jazz Fest, presented Oct. 16-18 in conjunction with the Sunny Isles Beach Resort Association, will benefit Joshua’s Heart Foundation - assisting those who struggle daily to procure food for basic survival.  The event will feature the world-renowned Neville Brothers as well as notable local jazz artists and several illustrious music groups from major universities around the South Florida area.

This year’s official festival poster will be designed by local, Neo-pop artist Ed King, who transforms his view of the world into imaginative artwork.
Corporate sponsorship for the 2009 Jazz Fest is available at different levels - each with escalating advantages for the sponsor to reach a broad-based, international, national and regional audience of upscale consumers estimated at more than 10,000 attendees. Packages range from Bronze to Platinum sponsor or a customized sponsorship can also be designed. All major sponsors will receive broad national and regional media recognition through an integrated media marketing campaign as well as a national/international public relations campaign.
“The 2nd AnnualSunny Isles Beach Jazz Festpromises to be bigger and better than last year’s,” said Ibis Romero, executive director of the Sunny Isles Beach Resort Association. “Moreover, corporate sponsors will benefit by receiving an unprecedented amount of earned media impressions and recognition before, during, and following the festival through our agency’s aggressive marketing campaign.”
For more information about the Sunny Isles Beach Jazz Fest, or for corporate sponsorship information, email Ibis Romero at ibis@sibfl.net, visit sunnyislesbeachjazz.com  or phone: 305-947-5826.

‘Grade A’
Sunny Isles Beach was also recently the center of attention when its excellent learning center - the Sunny Isles Beach Community School - earned an “A Grade” after being open for just one term. On behalf of the City Commission, Mayor Edelcup expressed congratulations to school principal Dr. Annette Weissman, teachers, staff, involved parents and “future leaders.” Students earned the “A Grade” based on state comprehensive assessment tests (86% of students met high standards in English; 87% met high standards in math; and 97% met high standards in writing).
“The new school year presents new challenges and new opportunities for all of our students and staff,” Weissman said. “First and foremost we must work just as diligently this year to maintain our ‘A’ grade. This requires that special dedication our staff is already known for; it requires the continued community support that Sunny Isles Beach is already known for; and it requires the ongoing involvement of our parents which our PTSA is already known for; and, of course, it requires the active engagement of all our children who have already proven that they are up to the task. I have every confidence that this winning team will continue to raise the bar and set higher standards to strive for and meet.”

‘Anchors Away’
Hundreds of local business and community leaders were recently impressed by progressive Sunny Isles Beach beautification projects and desirable community amenities when the city hosted an Aventura Marketing Council breakfast meeting at the Newport Beachside Hotel & Resort. The meeting featured a “sail-ebration” of the Anchors Away Foundation – dedicated to helping children with cognitive and physical disabilities learn to sail and set a course for success in the marine industry.

During the event, Sunny Isles Beach Mayor Norman Edelcup announced the city is sponsoring a specially equipped boat christened “Florida’s Riviera.” Thursday, October. 22, 10 a.m. will mark the fourth Anchors Away launch at Oleta River State Park.

‘More On the Map Milestones’
CNET Nrews.com: Bringing public WI-FI to small-town America
Advancements in technology are also helping to put Sunny Isles Beach on the map as IT publications and websites report on the city’s commitment to enhancing municipal communications.
Sunny Isles Beach now offers residents and visitors free WiFi throughout the city’s parks as part of a Wireless Island Project. Monday, July 14, 2008 marked the launch date of the free WiFi. All of the city parks are now WiFi Hotspots where internet connectivity is free, wireless, and commercial-free. The city parks that are WiFi Hotspots include Bella Vista Bay Park, Pier Park, Samson Oceanfront Park, Town Center Park, Senator Gwen Margolis Park, Golden Shores Community Park, Pelican Community Park, and Heritage Park expected to open by the summer of 2010 at 19250 Collins Avenue.
According to a recent article in The Miami Herald touting “Parking garage, green space coming soon to the city” – Heritage Park will feature “a dog park, exercise trail, gazebo, basketball court, two tot-lots, a 500-space parking garage with office space, large green space and a picturesque entrance that will contain historical information and signage.”

TripAdvisor: Sunny Isles Beach named #1 destination in the Untied States
It certainly was a “big event” for Sunny Isles Beach when Trip Advisor, the world’s largest travel community, announced the results of its annual travel trends survey of more than 2,500 travelers from around the world. Sunny Isles Beach topped the list of Trip Advisor’s emerging hotspots for 2008 - being named the “#1 destination in the United States.”

NY Times Travel: Rat Pack Playground Revived
The rapid revitalization taking place in Sunny Isles Beach since the city incorporated in 1997 has inspired numerous articles like this one in NY Times Travel focusing on big events like the arrival of “rich and famous” residents.

“In recent years, South Beach has become overcrowded, and a hotel boom has crept up Sunny Isles, putting the barrier island with expansive beaches on track to become Florida’s next hot spot. Luxury condo-hotels have sprung up, chic restaurants have opened along the beach, and shiny condos are being snapped up by wealthy Europeans and football players.

Despite the new gloss, Sunny Isles Beach hasn’t lost its eclectic character. Stroll the beach in the morning, and you’ll see local hippies looking for shells beside young hedge-fund couples and Russian tycoons.”

MSNBC The world's hottest, uncrowded beaches
When old motels transitioned to ultra-luxurious developments rising along the east side of Collins Avenue, Sunny Isles Beach garnered international notoriety. Architectural achievements like Acqualina by the Trumps of Williams Island helped put the city on the “trendsetting travel map” as major media outlets like US News and World Report deemed Sunny Isles Beach “Best Place to Retire” and MSNBC declared the elite distinction: “World’s Hottest Uncrowded Beach.”
“Serene Sunny Isles Beach provides the perfect upscale antidote to South Beach’s legendary see-and-be-seen atmosphere. And of course, there's a superb beach.”

‘Mapping Out Success”
If you haven’t picked up your free map of Sunny Isles Beach and the Greater Miami area  yet, be sure to stop by the Visitor Center located on the first floor of Government Center (18070 Collins Avenue). Beyond featuring stylish city memorabilia and providing extensive information about where to eat, places to shop and activities available in Sunny Isles Beach and around South Florida - the Visitor Center highlights the city’s history, success since incorporating and exciting future milestones sure to keep putting “Florida’s Riviera” on the map. 
Visitor Center hours of operation are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.sunnyislesbeachmiami.com or email Ibis Romero: ibis@sibfl.net.