You Could Get $50,000 to Host an Event Downtown | Miami DDA

I I always say when we start our podcast that I always I always have I always say thank God I have my Jay behind cameras over there because I'm the one that's always but when they Jay's like one of this all right sir you ready to settle down we're ready to settle down well let's see if we can settle down because today we have another great segment we're going to continue our great segment that we have with our DDA with our downtown development authority and with us today we have Kim our beautiful Kim we have Marsha I want to make sure I say it correctly and we have Marsha Kim I'm going to say it correctly Kim is our director of community engagement and communications.

That's it.

What a great title Kim.

What a great job.

What a great job great title and of course Marsha is a board member

Yes.

at the DDA and she is also a member of the ACE committee.

Absolutely.

You know before we before we jump into that what is the for those people that don't know because I didn't know a little while either what is the ACE committee member?

So the ACE committee means art and culture.

Okay.

And we get to work with all the great creative

Okay.

in the downtown area in South Florida actually we get to understand and see how they see downtown because they present amazing ideas creative ideas for our city a lot of great activations concerts great events for the community for businesses and we get to work with them

Okay.

to make downtown amazing.

What does it mean to you to work for the DDA?

When I first moved to Miami I lived in downtown in Brickell.

Okay.

So I I'm not going to age myself but I lived way before all of the beautiful buildings.

Yes.

when downtown closed Brickell closed at 5:00.

Yes.

So even when I took the job working at the DDA about 9 years ago seeing the change and seeing the evolution made me want to continue to grow and continue to see everything and be a part of the change happening. Fortunately for me, I get to help with the arts culture and entertainment committee. We have grants, which is why we're here today. Those grants are to help activate downtown. So, not only would you see the big events like Ultra or even FIFA, we also help to produce we support people may not know it, even Brickell Run Club. We support Run Addict. We support smaller, I would say, individual individual who have ideas to bring to the community like Social Crafting. Um so we don't just support major events. We like to support the little guys and give them an opportunity to create bigger events that grow and that last here in the community.

So, this question is for both of you. When you look at all these other people we've done such incredible stuff with the DDA. We've we've we've done to the all the different places that we've been to. We went to the courthouse. We went to um downtown Miami. You get so much also of some negative people out there, which I get it. You know, there's a little bit of everything. And people will say, "Oh, the DDA." Could Kim explain to the people the great work that I think the DDA does? What what is exactly a DDA and helping all those people in the downtown area?

So, glad that you asked that. So, a lot of people when they see the DDA, you may recognize our amazing downtown ambassadors. Those are the gentlemen and the women in the orange shirts and the black hats and the shorts. And they are there just to welcome everyone who comes into downtown. If you have questions, if you have directions, if you if you need directions, they're there to assist and help. We also have our debt team. They're the men and the women who are cleaning the streets, making sure the downtown is presentable and beautiful. We have our business development team that by far, um I don't think the word amazing describes the work that has been done in over the past uh couple of years with bringing new businesses to downtown Miami. It's growing, the central business district is growing, and that work is not unfinished. But, I don't think people realize that we also provide community grants

Okay.

to activate downtown.

so important to talk about, because that's one of the biggest reasons we're here today.

Yes.

Talk to us and explain to us those grants and who's eligible.

Okay. All right, we're currently having our downtown creative collaborator grants. Yes, it's a long title, and we call them DCCG.

Okay.

Um who's eligible to apply? Our creatives, artists, entertainers, singers, anyone producing any event that's going to take place in downtown Miami from October 1st through September 30th, 2027.

Okay.

So, the application is open and welcome. If you have an idea, I say um apply.

Okay.

Um the grants that we're offering start at 5,000 and can go up to 50,000.

Wow.

They are

that can make that can make an event

Absolutely. Absol- The key for us, though, is making sure that this is an this is an event that you plan on having. So, we encourage you to um talk to the the actual place that you may be looking to host the event.

Correct.

Um if you have questions, you can always reach out to us. You can go online to miamidda.com. We have all of the um information and guidelines for applying, but um this is a reimbursable grant. Um want want you to know that. And what do I mean by that is we don't do we don't we are not sole source funding. You have to have other investors that are supporting your event.

It's just not the fact of okay, here here's the money grant and this is it. You have to bring in to say okay, I have maybe another 30 or 40,000 worth of

have to have the event. You have to put the event on and you'll get in reimbursed.

reimbursed. Okay. Okay, that's good to know. Okay. So you go ahead and you got the investors and you and you do the event, you can get up to that amount of reimbursed. You're a board member of the DDA and what does it mean for you to be a board member of such a, you know, uh, group in downtown development authority?

So, I just the what makes DDA so important for the community and for me, it included me in the city. It made me a part of the city. I I started coming to the meetings about, I think, nine years ago. 10 years about 10 years. And I just felt included right away. Like I I was listening to conversations that pertain to me. I was able to take some of that information and share with people that I knew that worked and lived downtown. Um, the DDA makes downtown a community. It makes it small enough that you can talk to someone. You don't have to go and, you know, stand in line or fill out a form to talk to someone in the city. It's it made it so much smaller, so much easier to do business downtown. I I had to be a part of it. So, it made for me, it makes downtown small enough like a little town, but it's a big city.

Being such a big downtown makes you feel like you're

it feel so community based.

Yeah. And and that was the that was the big draw for me. Like I was in Miami, but it was, you know, it was accessible.

Right. And then all of a sudden, boom. You know, how did you get to the board member?

Um, going to all the meetings. Um, I was one of the people that used all the resources that was available. DDA sponsored a lot of my events. When I say sponsors, they would send me, you know, gift bags and give me things to give out and um, support me with the the ambassadors. Like when I had an event, the ambassadors would be around and, you know, four and five years ago before the pandemic, downtown wasn't

Right. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

And

To to to to give an idea to our viewers, give us what events were you doing?

I used to host an event every month called Fashion Talks Miami. It was It would start at uh, 6:00 and would end at 8:00. Getting people downtown from Broward, from any part of downtown, outside of downtown, is challenging.

yeah.

But, if they believe in a conversation and they want community, which the fashion community and the creative community, we want community and downtown is our place, they come. I have to make sure that they're safe and the DDA the DDA always made that happen for me. Um, the the um, the ambassadors were always so courteous. Um, I would talk to them and say, "Look guys, if you see anybody walking around, please kind of point them." And they

Tell them to come to us, right?

Yeah, and they would like people would say, "Oh, the guy in the orange shirt said you were over here." You know, so when I say small, a big city but small. Um, and and that kind of support, people on Flagler and that and the surrounding areas in Brickell, they they understand and they know what I mean. When it makes it small enough that it's so accessible, like you're in a in a community. And you don't get that in big cities. We're a major city. We're a huge city. We're a sought-after city and for someone like me, a small business owner, to feel like I'm a part of the tapestry, it's it's not normal,

Correct.

you know.

And you know what I like about all this is that you were a business owner and then all of a sudden they asked you to be part of a board.

Yeah.

I mean, think about it. A lot of people think always that when you're in board just because of someone that you know or that you were um, I don't know appointed by either somebody and and an official, but for you to be you know, a person that had a store and then been attending meetings.

a a office. I don't have a store.

Oh, you have right. Okay, office, right.

But I'm just saying a store office, but at the end of the day you were invited to be now participating in this board. I mean, I think that's a huge that's a huge thing.

that's what makes DDA so special.

Correct.

You know, there's all types of life of life on the on the board and we all hold our special like we all have our interests, but we all work together.

Correct.

So, I'm creative in fashion. Fashion first, but creative people.

Okay.

Um we're always overlooked, so it's important that someone speaks up and and and say hey, we're in the room too and we're part of the ecosystem.

what's what's your the the primary business that you have?

Uh fashion consultant. I work with emerging designers. I actually teach at the school.

Love it. You're talking my language now. We're talking my language.

that L D A your shirt. I said okay.

We're talking my language [laughter] now. I like it. I like it. I like it. I like it.

But yeah, that um Miami is a creative hub.

Yes.

And we don't we overlook it. We always focus on food and culture and music, but we never look into like the the fashion part of it and the creatives that come here for to be inspired.

I think we're evolving, right? I think we're getting there now and the fact that Miami Fashion Week

We have Miami Dade College that has the Fashion Institute that's been around for almost 8 years, I believe. They are pulling like they're these kids, these adults that are coming out of these programs are are going to blow us away. They're the next fashion icons. Um we have um just a lot happening downtown.

it's not to interrupt you, but I get goosebumps because you know what? That's you said something that for me is so important. Miami has so many things that but people don't know about it.

Yep.

Does that not happen? You know, before we were talking on camera, there's so many things going on that really people don't

So quiet.

You don't don't know what I mean.

There's a It's a creative movement happening in Miami. People from all over the world want to be in Miami. They want to be cuz it's inspiring. They get motivated. They want to find community and they come to Miami. They land in Brickell, they land downtown, they're in South Beach, wherever, but Miami is their core and they want to be here. And downtown offers incentives to be here.

Correct.

So, that's a one less thing to worry

know, a lot of people always tell you, "Oh, downtown Miami." Downtown Miami, what what what? I mean, downtown Miami for me is like one of my favorite places. I love downtown Miami.

the beautiful thing about our arts, culture, and entertainment committee is that we offer We're a very collaborative group and that's intention. It's It was built on intention. So, we always invite everyone out. We don't have a lot of meetings, but they're impactful ones. So, we have about four a year cuz we like to get everyone in the room. Arts and culture, the big from Frost Science uh to Museum of Miami, um Bayfront Park

Yeah, you have big ones.

We have Yeah. It's a to be able to connect because even with our grant program, I always encourage people to apply because just because it may not be a fit here, the people who are reviewing your applications, it may be a fit or a tie somewhere else. So, it doesn't just stop with applying because if there's something that fits elsewhere, the DDA is We're connectors and we want to connect you and we want to make sure that you have success.

And I think an important thing that I want you to elaborate on, who makes those decisions?

Okay. I'm glad you asked that. So, our our selection committee is not made up of members of the DDA. We get business owners, we get visitors, we get residents. It is members of the community and people who actually attend the events that we have to sit on our our committee.

I like that.

So, and beautiful part about it is can they ask us questions? Absolutely. But the decision is made by them. They don't take it lightly at all.

No, they're serious.

They They have They've taken like 9 hours. We've It takes 2 days.

Yeah.

Because these people we They're very committed to seeing our downtown have events that matter.

Right.

That have representation from everyone and that are going to be great for the uh economy. So, looking at how you tie together I'm having my event. Then we're going to send people to go over here to eat and we're going to tell them to take the Metromover. Or if you're coming from out of town, you know what? You could take the Brightline to get here. These grants matter. Our community matters more and we just want to make sure that we're doing everything to keep downtown amazing.

Well, listen, for me it's incredible. She lives in Broward and her business is downtown Miami.

Mhm.

So,

And I take the bus in. I commute. Bus or train.

So, again, I mean, what does that say about something like that? What What does You're not Not I'm not throwing any type of shade to, you know, downtown Broward, but the fact that you want to be here

The energy is here.

in downtown Miami.

The everything is here.

You know?

Everything is here. It's just the gateway to the rest of the world. People They do come in through Broward, but they they land here when they want to do business.

Correct.

Yeah.

That makes

You just made me think of something else too with the grant program. So, with all applicants, um you don't have to live in downtown Miami, but your event does have to happen in downtown Miami within the Miami DDA district.

Correct.

So, our district includes um Brickell, the central business district, and the arts and entertainment district, which is a little bit north.

Right. So, you guys have an exact thing when you go to the website.

Yep, you visit our website, you can um find all the information, of course, on the grant. But, I don't want anyone to feel like, "Oh, I don't live here." If you have a great idea to make our downtown great, then you have the support and funding, I I strongly suggest to apply because it's making for a better downtown experience.

Do we Do we know any new What off the I know there's going to be a lot, but off the top of your head, what are some great new places that you've seen that have just opened up now around here?

the one that's in on the building I'm in is Disco Donnie.

Disco Donnie? Oh, my gosh.

What the heck is Disco Donnie? [laughter]

The best smash burgers you're ever going to have. They're amazing.

Jaden, we go there? DID WE YOU KNOW WE DID WAIT, WAIT, WAIT.

And truffle fries.

But, wait a second. You know we did one of those burger things

Yeah.

that um

They weren't open.

Is that what it was?

not open at that time. Yeah. They were not open.

You know, obviously, I went to the first place, and after that I said, "I got to leave."

[laughter]

How do you expect me to eat five other burgers from any other place?

You tried to see

No, Jaden continued, and Nico [laughter] continued. Nico, which is our food guy. And he went with And MJ continued.

Yeah. Yeah.

[laughter]

These men can eat. But, all I said I can only have one smash burger. I could have But, Dan, what is it? Disco Donnie?

Disco Donnie. We have the um downtown tailors, the tailoring company.

Oh, yeah. The alterations. Yeah.

alteration company.

You know, it it's crazy. It's crazy to me. You know, when a lot of people um listen. So, I I grew up in Miami. And I remember my parents and my grandparents going to downtown Miami. I mean, when when when you go look at the history of downtown Miami, it has such a beautiful such a beautiful landmarks, you know? I remember my grandmother and my mother telling me going to Woolworths

Yeah.

in downtown Miami.

I did it in Philly, but yeah.

what I mean? We had the Woolworths, for the love of God. You know what I'm saying? And all the different places, and how And at that time you know, nobody was driving. You really had to depend on on public transportation. And the and the fact of calculating correctly of uh the time you were going to get there and the bus and everything else. And I see that history still in the buildings when you walk down downtown. You know, and I think there's just uh a lot of people will tell you you got to understand it and I and I tell you my wife's the first one. My wife sometimes when I would tell her get downtown she goes, "Oh, no, I'm not going downtown." Not because of anything, she just says, "I can't deal with the one one-way streets." And this I get very confused and every time she goes, "Oh my god, I'm going the wrong way." I'm going, "Well, just read the signs." But at the end of the day I want you guys to talk about a little bit what what is that what does that mean of the DDA being part of such a historic place and such beautiful things I have been that are still in place in downtown Miami. Like the theater, the the Olympic Theater the theater and stuff like that.

So ironically, um when you were asking that question, what it immediately brought me to is our holiday lighting event.

Okay.

Because

Beautiful. We participated in that too.

did. And seeing photos from I would say years, it felt like eons ago when they had a Santa on top of the Burdines building. And for us to be able to bring that feeling back to downtown over the past 3 years has been amazing offering a free concert on Flagler Street. And while you're there, you can walk over to Bayfront Park. I don't think people even realize just the way the pavement, the way our streets are made. That's art. Um there's so much free public art in downtown just walking around. There's so much history, there's lots of architecture tours. I know I sound like

No.

Because this is this is what I do.

Correct.

Um it's just so much. It's beautiful. Yeah.

You know what is important to elaborate on those things.

It's just that I think um I'm not sure people remember Miami from years ago and boy has it changed. Yes. Um there's so much more to see. There's so much more to do and just giving it and just giving it um uh coming to downtown

Yeah.

spending a day

Yes.

um you will find so some old and you find some of the new because history in the Dupont building.

Oh, come on. The beautiful building.

Yes.

Amazing. [clears throat] There that I think that's the thing for me. I get excited and I I kind of feel like inside like this because there is so much. Um we look at it. Frost Science it moved here but look at what we have Look at the building we have here. It's right across from PAM.

Yeah.

You can get a two for one

Yeah.

any day.

it a two for one.

[laughter]

And you can walk it. You can

And you can walk it. Everything is in a mile.

Yeah.

The arts and culture that you can see in one mile plus go to historic Bayside.

Exactly.

is unbelievable.

Again, we we we look at these things now we say where a lot of people are still on summer break. You know, some kids. I think that is such a a great day to say it it you know, I you know, we got a lot of parents that work. But if that day that parent can say I'm taking one day off, going with the kids to downtown and really showing to your point you go to the Frost, you can go here, you go there. I mean museums are a sore point.

Absolutely.

You know what I'm saying? I mean and the fact of how we go elsewhere to other states and you know, going visit that. You take for granted that we have some in our backyard.

You know, absolutely. But one thing I actually took the train down during FIFA. Um from Broward. So I had I had I had get on at Cypress Creek which is right before Broward and then come all the way down and you change over. I got on the train maybe about 1:30. Everyone from Palm Beach, there was no there was no standing room. Like they pushed us on the train.

Wow.

So, you have people coming from Palm Beach.

Right.

And you get to Broward, I'm probably like the sixth stop. And there's no way to get in. So, these people we get to Miami, we switch over to the the now the metro the train.

Correct.

And all of us are coming together, so it's hundreds of us. And we all take the train down. And you see parents, you see parents that used to live in Miami explaining, you know, Miami to their kids who are looking out the window probably never been on the train before.

No.

Like it was it

What a beautiful adventure.

It was like But mind you, they're coming from Palm Beach. All these Boca, Delray, they're they're coming down on the train.

Correct.

To Miami.

I mean

On the train. On a Saturday. With hundreds and hundreds of people when it would have been just easy just to get in your car and get in traffic, but you get on a crowded train.

So, it was more of the experience.

The experience. And people were excited. Um it just made sense to do it that way to come into the city, but people walking down the street, I'm walking with groups of people. Everyone has on their team shirts and they're just talking and they're showing buildings like this building and that building.

Yeah.

So, you know, downtown is always an experience, you know, for people that used to live here or never been here before. It's all like just getting off the train and walking near a courthouse is an experience.

Kim, do we know apart from the grants for an event, doesn't the DDA also help? Is there some program the DDA helps with people with their business?

Oh, absolutely. We have business incentive grants. Um I and our business development team, if you're a retail looking for ground anything. I'll put it this way, anything you're looking for, definitely reach out to us.

I if if if if if we have a retailers If we have a person out there now looking at our park when they look at the podcast and they say, "I've been considering going to you know, downtown Miami or this area to open up my business." You know, can they reach out to the DDA?

100%

Can the DDA help them also locate places that are vacant?

We can help you locate vacant places. We can help you if you have the kids contacting us, letting us know what you're looking for.

Correct.

Um our team is experienced, highly experienced with knowing how to talk to you, figure it out, and kind of assessing the need. And at that point, then we kind of work together. We all work together to try to give you the best option and to guide you. So it's hand-holding. Um we don't we our goal is to help everyone the best way we can.

Correct.

So we want to give you the most information. We want to share with you the the highs, um the challenges that may arise, and we're there to walk you. We have a permit clinic.

There you go.

We have our permit clinic in which you can go to. Permit clinic, uh quick shout-out, is every Thursday from 9:00 to 2:00. Check on our um social media channel at Downtown Miami.

are within the DDA?

Yes. But and within the um is it the county, the city,

Okay.

Derm.

Okay.

You have everybody on location to be able to help and answer any questions you have.

So you don't have to go to the city or they have that day they come back to

You can come here that day from 9:00 to 2:00 p.m.

Wow.

Visit our permit clinic. They'll take care of you.

Yeah. I mean, you know, it's not I'm not trying to take away from our realtors out there that tell me, oh no, no, no. But if if now that that really fascinates me because if you know that you're looking into saying I want to start a business, but I I I may need help.

Yeah.

Why not go then to an area that can help you help them as well. So you're helping each other.

Marty said it best. It's being in a big city, feeling that small community

Yes.

vibe. And you don't have to feel like a small fish in a big pond. We want you to feel we're here. We're here we're your partner. We're here to take care of you. We're here to help you and guide you.

Correct.

That's what we aim to do.

And we also know all the land owners.

Right. That's what I

That's a part of our community. So, you know, those are easy answers like what buildings, you know, to go into. You know, what would you need to get into that building? You don't have to do all the research. Just come and talk to someone in the DDA office and they'll give you a list of, "Okay, these are some vacancies. This is a good building for what you want to do. This is where a better community fit would be for you." So, all those things can be addressed just by coming to see us.

Mhm.

One stop shop?

Or just come into a meeting. Just come into a

Actually, that's a great point.

That's what I was going to tell you. I mean, do we we welcome people to come to the DDA meeting.

Absolutely. Public meetings they're open to everyone.

and and and and could we go through some of maybe iconic little spaces in in the downtown area right now? Like I know one that I love to go to which is the Seybold building. Some people say Seebold, Seybold, what? What is the correct name? Does anybody know what it is?

I say Seybold building, right?

I'mma leave that to both of you.

Yeah, but but but many people don't understand that's like our that's like our our New York diamond diamond district.

Yeah, it's the diamond district.

And from what I understand it's like one of the most revenue driven building in the in the city

I mean, I

[laughter]

I I think it's a it's a given when you see like 45 different police officers outside. Exactly and public and FBI agents inside, too. In a good way. In a good way. And in a good way. You know, but again, you know, what what other, you know, spots do you guys consider being iconic down in your in your area over there in downtown?

Definitely Dupont. I'm sorry. Definitely the the Dupont building. I think Freedom Tower. I think Freedom Tower for me. Fun fact, I moved here the first time

Yeah.

during Elian Gonzalez when that was happening.

Wow.

So, um

Tough time here

Yeah. So, whenever I see that building it reminds me of when I moved here. It reminds me of the evolution of Miami and everything that has happened.

Yeah.

So, um I the Freedom Tower for me

Well, the remember the Freedom Tower is a a big symbol also for a lot It's a big symbol for my parents because when they left Cuba, this is where they this is where they went.

Yeah.

You know what I'm saying? They were there in in in the Freedom Tower before they were either, you know, directed to go they were placed in different places, you know, with the with the churches and stuff like that. So, that's always been the symbol of of of Freedom Tower. But again, [clears throat] I really want to go back to the fact of, you know, the DDA and its and its and its constant work in the sense of making, you know, downtown, you know, that place to be again. I mean, I know we were you know, a while closed down with Flagler.

Yeah.

You know what I'm saying? That was like a huge

Yeah, big deal.

nightmare with with the whole thing. I know you guys were, you know, scrambling and and, you know, going crazy with this whole because you you had the pressure of everybody around the area. You know what I'm saying? When is Flagler going to open? You know, um have we seen that difference already now with Flagler open?

So, looking at I'm what I'm going to look at Flagler closed really quick if we can come back to it and open it.

please.

Um just as recently with FIFA.

Remember in the pod it's ADHD, so whatever we say we go back and forth. I mean, it's

That's fine. That's why we need to.

[laughter]

But you made me think about during uh FIFA uh and when Martu was speaking, when it was closed down for the uh clubhouse.

Yeah.

And we had the soccer pitch out there. Did we realize it was going to have that much engagement and it was going to be so active? Seeing video and seeing ourselves appear in other people's videos showing how they enjoyed the closed street.

Correct.

And seeing how they enjoyed um that soccer pitch being out there allows us to see the future. Um looking at with our deal working with Airbnb in the future, um looking at a location. I'm sorry. Um it it shows some promise of kind of what the community likes.

Right.

And how we can kind of move forward. That was pretty exciting to me because did I expect number one the clubhouse to be so packed?

I don't know. I don't Crazy, huh?

It was insane. I I would have never best surprise. It was the best surprise. It was active. Um the biggest compliment of FIFA aside from the few little things, very minor I've never been more proud of our city with the way we handled things. Just watching everybody from the Tartan Army looking outside seeing Columbia. I We came down that day cuz we were having a ribbon cutting for the

That's where I came on the train. Yeah.

for the soccer pitch. The I cannot describe how proud I was to be from here.

Yeah.

I could not describe

I mean participating in it. Yeah.

It was just

It I I As you can see, I'm just like yeah yeah.

Because it was such a great feeling and so much pride to know that we were a part and included in all of this happening and seeing our city being showcased. It's so amazing. It was such a good time.

I feel like it should be a requirement that every big event will has to have a host we have to host it like

We have to host it. Yeah. We have to host it.

You know what I mean? Think about it. When you go to any other city, what do you always say?

You want to go downtown. You want to go downtown. You want to go downtown. Absolutely.

You know?

Absolutely and it's 100% and FIFA like I'm from a big city. I'm from Philadelphia, you know, kind of raised in New York, but the ins- no incidents.

Mhm.

It was so safe to be down there and people were down there all night. People were there like they didn't leave. There were no incidents. At least

It was a little drinky.

And Disco Donnie had record numbers. They had just opened up. Say perfect timing.

No, no. I mean those people were like talk about right place at the right time.

Yeah. Yeah.

You know, but but that was a huge economic boom for for for Miami. Yeah, that was with FIFA. I want to touch on something that I've it's come to our attention for a little bit already, but you know the amount of content creators are in downtown?

Hundreds of

thousands of people living in those in the apartments with you know, their their new role. You know, you're looking at the news talking about that where I don't I don't know where I saw it I don't know what news outlet but they were talking about how I think it was Arizona state or something now.

It's a class. An influencer has a degree.

of maybe even putting into influencer classes.

Yes.

And now and now you're looking at this and you're seeing that with that day that we were there with Russell and everybody else, you know, he was talking about all these other buildings how those buildings are occupied by content creators.

Absolutely.

And listen, they're paying a nice amount of money.

No, absolutely.

But these are young people that are moving down to Miami to have accessibility around the downtown area.

Yes.

Because their business is to you know, create content.

Exactly. And this is the base.

You know, I mean and and and and it looks at these things and I'm saying this is where downtown now is. You know, and I was what that day we were there I don't I don't know where you were here Jay that we were having lunch and then all of a sudden we go out there's like four or five people just with their cameras in the building doing, you know, I think they were doing some Tik Tok shop.

Yep. No, absolutely. All day.

And every other corner somebody WAS SELLING SOMETHING. PROBABLY MY KIDS WERE BUYING.

[laughter]

PRESSURE. BUT YOU HAVE PEOPLE COME from all over the world just to shoot content here. A lot of creators come here to shoot content. So, Miami is a place to be.

Yeah.

Me coming from Broward is nothing when you have people that get on a plane to come here for 2 weeks or a week just to shoot content and break that content up for like the rest of the year. So, we have something here and people know it's special. Downtown is amazing. It's safe.

Yes.

Um you know, and I'm going to always say that it's safe cuz again, coming from Philadelphia and New York, it's safe.

Yeah.

It's safe, you know.

you guys we can safely say you are creating you are creating this creative identity.

Yes.

In in the whole the DDA area. Am I Am I right about that?

I think we're doing a great job, but the people are it's happening organically.

Yes.

I think we we we've seen it and we've just been helping people along and and creating platforms and places and to support them.

Correct.

But it's it's Miami is a creative hub.

So, we do want to invite people all over either the Miami area, Broward, the Palm Beaches. If if you want to come down to If you want to come down to downtown, there's a whole bunch of opportunities.

Absolutely.

Right, Kim? They have They can go Let's Let's elaborate on those grants again because I think that's so important people to know that. Anybody out there that, you know, and we have so many great talents in Miami.

Yes.

That people want to do an event and they just probably say, "How can I even, you know, I get off the ground with this?" But now you're saying, "If they can find sponsors that with those sponsors and then come and, you know, present the case

Absolutely.

Apply.

Apply for it.

And and if you guys like it, you know, these people get reimbursed

Yes.

up to X amount of money.

Yes.

You know what I'm saying? For that event that they're doing.

Yes, we are asking everyone, every innovator, every creative, every artist that every artist, innovator, creative

Absolutely. Out there.

And if you have an event that's planned for 2026, 2027,

Absolutely.

please apply. Um there's a lot of opportunity here. We are looking to create a basically the calendar for the next year. So, there's events happening all year round for the community and for visitors alike to enjoy. So, the deadline to apply is August 17th.

That's important.

And you can find all of our information at miamidda.com. Have I left anything out?

No. And one thing I want to add, when you do an event downtown, you have the world. It's not just locals. You have tourists that come through every day. And you have millions of tourists

You have all the folks that are in Bayside, cruise ships.

Exactly. Coming every weekend. So, when you do an event here, it's not just the locals. You have everyone. So, this is the best place to have an event cuz you have you can touch people from all over the world

Correct.

We've had several events where people have come and they've said, "Oh, I found this just by looking at online. Oh, I Googled it. Oh, I looked at Eventbrite." So, there's so many different forms of the way to get your information out there. Again, posting on social media and doing some geo-fencing.

Yeah. Yeah.

You never know who will show up.

I mean, listen. Again, I think that if if for those people I say, if you don't if you don't try, you're you're not going to make it happen.

And can I just shout out one person before we go?

You can shout out two people.

Suzanne Gibson, who is our chair. Suzanne has created such a great community. Like all of the different um

Shout out to Suzanne.

all of the different organizations, institutions that participate in our grants, and are throwing these events. We have a community and we all support each other. And that's again making the big city really small. So, when you do your event down here downtown, you get the support of the community of other organizations that will support you, that will come, that will help you know, amplify your event. So, again, big city, you know, small heart.

[laughter]

And big heart, you know, and we all work together.

It was It was Suzanne's vision to make this a collaborative space. So, when she took on being the chairwoman of the committee, that was very intentional.

Yeah.

And she wanted to make sure that every artist, every person, every creative felt seen,

Yes.

felt heard, and felt connected.

Yeah.

So, she's uh the woman behind how our committee is so cohesive now.

Exactly. So, four meetings a year, but high impact. Like, everyone's there to see each other to support each other. Um we all want to know what who's doing what so we could be a part of it.

sound like you can communicate in those between those four those four meetings anyway, so

Exactly.

But I'm going to tell you this now. Before before we go, because I'm going to tell other things where where I'm going to bring I'm going to bring them back for another show, but it's not going to be DDA. We We talked off camera about a whole bunch of other subjects that I love subjects with Kim and stuff like that. But a lot we we want to get a more women perspective on on on the damn Miami show. But before we go, the most important thing situation is I need each of you to name me your top three restaurants that you like to go to. You know what I'm saying? Now, it could be the DDA area, it could be any other area, it could be whatever, it could be Broward. But you know, tell our viewers your your top three.

I'm going to say

Let's start with number three with you.

I'm going to say um Motek, and Cibo Wine Bar, and

Okay.

I like I one of my favorites, definitely Disco Donkey,

Okay.

and um I like Carrot Express.

[laughter]

I'm sorry, but I do.

That's perfect.

And that's it.

Little Little expensive the salads, but it's okay.

I mean, other than that, I love it.

Well, okay. Okay. [laughter] Okay. Kim, give me your give me your three. Number three.

I'm not going to say in order, but um

Oh, but I'll put them in order.

Okay. Okay. [laughter] Okay. Uh so, new, I also have to agree Disco Donkey. They're the only ones that will make me cheat excessively.

Okay.

Uh when I'm trying to be healthy.

Yes.

We all try.

Just try.

We all try.

I'm also going to say my oldie but goodie, I can depend on them all the time is Zuma.

Oh, yeah.

It's it's it is it is. Yeah, you're right. You're right. It's old faithful.

Old faith That's my old faithful.

It's old faithful. You never go wrong there.

Ever.

And good brunch.

Always.

Yeah.

Always. [laughter]

Okay. I was going to say that.

I'mma add that to my list.

Yeah, all right.

[laughter]

And give me another one. Give me another one. Give me your number one.

My number one This is very small and I don't even know if I used to say this, but it's in our office in our office building. It's Galt's coffee because they give me my cafe con leche and it's made perfect every time.

What's it called again?

Galt's Cafe.

Galt's Cafe. But that's only how or they have a little bit of everything there.

They have I would say up to lunch. Like they have salads. They have and they have a good salmon salad. But for me, I don't have to ask. They give me my cafe con leche and then I'll have my little spinach frittata if I need it. If I didn't get breakfast I can count on them to my heart's content.

Hey, cafe con leche has hit everybody somewhere or somehow and every which way in this in the in this community. Listen guys, I really appreciate it and I and and we love we love doing our series with the DDA because, you know, I I believe in it. I think it's a it's a great organization.

Thank you.

And we love the fact of you guys coming and and giving your perspective and sharing the thing on the grants. But most important again, deadline is August

August 17th.

August 17th. You know, we're like what? Not even, you know, 2 weeks away.

I'll say August 17th 11:59 p.m. and my team always are like, why are you so exact? Because we have to be exact. And fun fact or is it a fun fact? But please note that we do not have access to the submittable platform. That is the platform used to submit everything. If you have any complications or questions, you will contact Submittable. I'm mentioning that because in the past people will say that, "Oh, we submitted it. You know, can you check?" I cannot. If I call, they can just say this is the time they did, but if you don't press send, and this is a good tidbit to know. Um I would encourage you I would encourage you to go ahead and complete the application. If you need to make changes, you have until August 17th. Um and the reason why I say that it's better to be a O lotto. You got to be in it to win it.

Yes.

And if you don't press send, no matter what you've done and how you've processed, we will not be opening it back up. That is the deadline. So, I encourage you to submit, submit, make changes later.

And again, any questions?

Any questions? You can contact us at miamidda.com.

Okay. And that's important. So, and again, I'm looking forward to when we get some good events that we said, "Those are events that we heard that were submitted the day we were at Bay Miami." And then the fact is another one going to be closed down Flagler. You know, and have that whole place again. So, again, we'll be back with more DDA news. Thank you, guys. Appreciate you for coming.

Thanks for having us.