Doug Tober Eager To See Start Of Convention Center Upgrades To Maintain Miami Beachs Strength As Convention Destination

The Miami Beach Convention Center this year celebrates its 50th anniversary. A good gift, many say, would be a facelift and some new amenities. Doug Tober, the center’s senior general manager since 1996, is working with the City of Miami Beach and Miami-Dade County to make it happen. With a multi-purpose ballroom space, the center could draw new events — in turn boosting the local economy, Mr. Tober said. County commissioners have begun a recent push to make it happen.

But the center has been doing well since the last renovation 17 years ago. Events such as Art Basel Miami Beach and the Miami International Boat Show continue to thrive as highlights, he said, and occupancy reached 70% last fiscal year, full by convention center standards.

The city is to go out to bid for a management company this year, and current manager SMG hopes to continue its 17-year reign, Mr. Tober said. He was interviewed in SMG’s convention center offices by Miami Today staff writer Risa Polansky. This is an excerpt from the weekly profile article published in Miami Today. To read the entire article in full, order this issue or subscribe to the print edition of Miami Today. Advertisement