Miami Taps Developer

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Peebles to Assume Chairmanship at CVB

R. Donahue Peebles Hotel developer R. Donahue Peebles, who begins a one-year term in October as chairman of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, recently joined M&C in a telephone Q&A.

M&C: How do you plan to attract group and convention business to Greater Miami?

Peebles: I will personally meet with major summer convention groups. People rule out Miami in the summer, in part because we perceive ourselves as a seasonal market. But why not look at us? Our rates are more competitive than the traditional summer markets.

M&C: With Miami primarily a fly-in destination, how will you combat the air-travel slump?

Peebles: We’re putting a higher priority on the drive-in market. Atlanta is a tremendous opportunity, as are the Carolinas.

M&C: What about plans to expand the Miami Beach Convention Center?

Peebles: If they do expand, they will need serious consideration for a convention center hotel, one that’s not a resort property.

M&C: After years of staying away, the NAACP is coming back to Miami. How important is it to keep the momentum of African-American tourism?

Peebles: Well, the African-American market is going to be critical to Miami’s future. We have a unique opportunity to expand our appeal to that market both on the leisure side and the conference side.

• MARTHA COOKE