How Miami Beach Convention Center Is Embracing Inclusivity and Accessibility
August 2, 2024
With 5% to 16.5% of attendees having symptoms associated with sensory processing challenges and 1 in 45 adults in the U.S. with autism, more venues and destinations are committed to making sure autistic and sensory-sensitive visitors feel welcome and supported while attending meetings and events.
The Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC) is the latest venue to receive Certified Autism Center (CAC) designation by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), a global organization that provide professional autism and neurodiversity training and certification for global healthcare, education, and corporate professionals.
“One in six people have sensory needs, and this focus on accessibility demonstrates their team’s commitment to being a leader in the industry,” said Myron Pincomb, IBCCES board chairman. “By earning the Certified Autism Center designation, the Miami Beach Convention Center joins a growing number of organizations making a significant impact for accessibility.”
Related: Two Ohio Venues Achieve Certified Autism Center Designation
The facility’s achievement of this designation comes on the heels of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau achieving its CAC designation in April.
Need to know: Owned by the City of Miami Beach, the MBCC now offers an accessible experience for all events and visitors, with a range of ADA-compliant features that include accessible parking, sidewalk ramps, restrooms, elevators, and automatic entrance doors. The facility also provides Braille signage and a visual interpreting service via the Aira app for visually impaired attendees.
How it works: The certification process involved comprehensive training for the MBCC’s customer-facing staff from Oak View Group, providing them with the knowledge and skills needed to support autistic individuals, according to MBCC officials. IBCCES performed an onsite review providing recommendations for other enhancements at the facility.
What they are saying: “Achieving the Certified Autism Center designation marks a pivotal next step in our commitment to inclusivity, and I am extremely proud of our staff’s dedication and achievement,” said MBCC General Manager Freddie Peterson. “This autism certification enables the Miami Beach Convention Center to better serve visitors with special needs, setting a new standard for accessibility in the events industry.
What’s next: Peterson also said that the MBCC plans to add IBCCES sensory guides to its informational website and has identified quiet spaces inside the facility, as well as outside spaces that provide natural calming surroundings such as Pride Park, Collins Canal Park, and the Miami Beach Botanical Garden, that would be of benefit to neurodivergent guests.
The big picture: According to facility officials, MBCC’s CAD certification is another step in a larger initiative for the Greater Miami area to become a Certified Autism Destination, led by the Greater Miami Visitor and Convention Bureau. Earning this designation signifies that a representative number of attractions, hotels, and other recreation and entertainment venues in a destination have completed the CAC certification process. Learn more about sensory-friendly attractions and travel industry partners, including Miami International Airport, in the Greater Miami and Miami Beach area here.
Why it matters: “Inclusion and accessibility are priority initiatives for our destination,” said David Whitaker, president and CEO of Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Achieving this standard better positions us to tap into the tens of billions of dollars spent annually by travelers with disabilities and their families as well as significantly increasing customer satisfaction. More importantly, we can ensure our visitors, residents, and neighbors feel welcomed, safe, and above all, have fun.”
Zooming out: This latest achievement is just part of MBCC’s extensive focus on a wide range of corporate social responsibility (CSR), accessibility, DEIB (diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging), and sustainability programs. Besides earning LEED Silver certification as part of its $640 million expansion and reimagination project that includes myriad environmentally friendly features, the MBCC recently achieved the Foundations Certificate for Sustainability and Social Impact from the Events Industry Council (EIC). Additionally, five staff members earned EIC’s Sustainable Event Professional Certificate, designed for professionals interested in accelerating sustainability and social impact where they work.
For a deeper dive into Certified Autism Center certification, check out this article from our sister publication, BizBash.
Lead image: MBCC guests enjoying Collins Canal Park
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Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.
MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.
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