Strong Showing Could Bring Pow Wow Back To Miami Within Five Years

By Scott E. Pacheco
Miami tourism officials are looking to bring the US Travel Association’s International Pow Wow back to Miami within five years, an ambition that if realized would be a major coup for the county and boost tourism here by hundreds of millions of dollars.

"We feel while nothing is a shoe-in… in the next approximately five years we’re confident we’ll be in serious consideration to hosting another Pow Wow," said Rolando Aedo, senior vice president of marketing and tourism with the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau.

"We have actually been asked to put together bids for 2013, 2014 and 2015 as a possibility," he said. "Usually, what will happen is we submit bids for multiple years. [US Travel] was extremely pleased with the overall Pow Wow."

International Pow Wow is the largest generator of Visit USA travel, with about $4 billion worth of future travel booked during its May 16-20 run in Miami. The 5,000 attendees included journalists and travel industry delegates from more than 70 nations.

US Travel’s top official said Miami is on the association’s radar for a return trip.

"We are very interested in further discussions with Miami on the possibility of hosting International Pow Wow again in the future," said Roger Dow, president and chief executive officer of the US Travel Association, via e-mail.

Locally, Pow Wow cost about $2.4 million to put on but is expected to result in up to $400 million of business over the next few years.

Mr. Aedo said the investment was "savvy" just from the standpoint that the impact of the 5,000 guests during their four-day stay alone was $10 million to $15 million.

"The one thing that flows into the community immediately is the economic impact of hosting the convention itself," he said.

A catalog of the deals negotiated during Pow Wow should hit international travel agencies in November, with the first travelers booked in coming to Miami after the new year, Mr. Aedo said.

If Miami-Dade were to land Pow Wow again, it would not be the first time it has had the show twice within five years. The county hosted the event in 1994 and 1999.

US Travel’s Mr. Dow said if this year is any indication, a return trip is possible.

"Miami did a phenomenal job hosting International Pow Wow this year and feedback has been extremely positive," he said. "By showcasing its array of cultural offerings, shopping venues and outdoor activities combined with great customer service, the city clearly made an impression on the international buyers and media, as well as the US suppliers attending the show." Advertisement