2016 RBMS Preconference Site Proposal
Miami/Coral Gables, Florida
Summer 2016 – ALA in Orlando, Florida
Miami is a city known for abundant
sunshine, astonishing turquoise waters, and
beautiful skies—as well as great cultural
diversity, lush tropical vegetation,
fascinating fauna, and world-class stature
as an arts destination during the Art Basel
fairs. Neighboring Coral Gables is known
as “The City Beautiful,” and for good
reason. The city was developed by George
Edgar Merrick during the land boom years
of the 1920s, and was envisioned as a
sophisticated Mediterranean oasis in a
paradisiacal setting. Although the two
cities are adjacent, they—and the nearby
city of Miami Beach—are very different in
atmosphere, while also sharing the cultural
diversity, eclecticism, and sophistication of
one of the world’s most famous tourist
destinations. Where else in the United
States can the visitor observe majestic
peacocks strolling leisurely across urban
streets lined with beautiful Spanish-style
red roof-tiled villas, eat fresh mangoes
straight from a tree, enjoy a game of
dominos in Little Havana, and view an
entire neighborhood covered in murals by some of the world’s great muralists?
This is a proposal to hold the 2016 RBMS preconference in Coral Gables (or, alternately, in
Miami Beach). In 2016, ALA will be held in Orlando, which is approximately 240 miles from
Miami and Coral Gables. There is frequent and relatively inexpensive (see below) transportation
between the two hubs; the Miami-Orlando route is also a relatively easy drive for those who
choose to rent a car.
1.
Facilities
Although Miami Beach is a popular venue for conferences, we would like to propose the city
of Coral Gables as the main venue for the preconference. There are several conference-
appropriate hotels in Coral Gables, and some events could be held on the University of
Miami campus.
University of Miami Event Venues Website:
http://www6.miami.edu/umpresents/venues.html
Other Possible Venues
http://www.westincoralgables.com/
http://coralgables.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html
http://www.miamibeachconvention.com/
2. Accommodations
Both Miami and Coral Gables offer a very wide array of accommodations. A recent SALALM
(Seminar on the Acquisition of Latin American Materials in Libraries) conference (similar in
size to RBMS) was held at the Westin Colonnade in Coral Gables. The Westin is smaller than
many conference hotels, but can accommodate up to 350 people (theater style) in the Merrick
Ballroom along with 40 “table-top” exhibits in their Rotunda. The area designated for lunches
and breaks measures circa 9,000 square feet. There is additional space for large breakouts if
needed. The hotel can offer up to 100 rooms to attendees; the rate would be $149.00-$169.00
range. The Hyatt hotel across the street from the Westin can also accommodate overflow. There
are also smaller hotels and inns within a five mile radius of the Westin.
More information about hotels and conference venues can be found at these sites:
http://www.citybeautiful.net/
http://coralgableschamber.org/
http://www.miamiandbeaches.com/places-to-see/coral-gables
http://www.miami.edu/finance/index.php/travel_management/hotels/
3. Hosting Organization
Charles Eckman, Dean of Libraries at the University of Miami, has endorsed providing
appropriate hospitality for the preconference. The Libraries will host an evening reception
on campus, and will also strive to provide accommodations for workshops. The Libraries will
also provide tours of their facilities, which include Special Collections, the Cuban Heritage
Collection, the Paul Buisson Architecture Library, and the Marta and Austin Weeks Music
Library. The Libraries also house one of the only on-campus conservation labs in Florida, as
well as a growing Digital Initiatives Department. Tours of these locations will be offered to
interested conference attendees. Colleagues in these libraries and departments, as well as
area librarians, archivists, and curators, have expressed interest and enthusiasm in helping
with local arrangements, area tours, transportation, restaurant nights, etc.
4. Potential Supporting Organizations
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University of Miami (committed)
HistoryMiami
Florida International University
The Wolfsonian-FIU Museum and Library
The Jaffe Center for Book Arts, Florida Atlantic University
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
Frost Museum of Science
Fairchild Tropical Gardens
Perez Art Museum, Miami
Books & Books
5. Transportation
Miami is easily accessible from most geographic locations, with two large international
airports (Miami and Fort Lauderdale) located within driving distance to several major
attractions, hotels, and popular neighborhoods. Miami International Airport is walking
distance from the Metrorail, which has stops in central city locations (i.e. Downtown Miami,
Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, Overtown, and the Government Center). There is a University
of Miami stop on the Metrorail for those wishing to commute by public transportation, and
cabs and shuttles are also readily available at the airport for reasonable rates. The city of
Coral Gables has its own trolley service while the University of Miami also provides free
shuttle transportation around its campus.
Major Airports near Miami
Miami International Airport
Fort Lauderdale Airport
Miami-Orlando:
Flights
American Airlines: 9 nonstop flights MIA-MCO / day
Starting at $190 as of 23 July 2014
Trains
Amtrak: 2 trains MIA-ORL / day
Leaving at 8:20 am and 11:50 am
Starting at $43 as of 23 July 2014
Metrorail
Metrorail: Cost per trip is $2.25 regardless of distance. It’s one of the cheapest and fastest ways to reach
major areas in Miami. The Metrorail operates from 5 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week.
Buses
Greyhound: 10 buses Miami-Orlando / day
Starting at $22.50 (Web fare) or $57.00 (standard fare) as of 23 July 2014
GotoBus: 2 buses Miami-Orlando / day
Average price $28 as of 23 July 2014
Miami Orlando Shuttle Bus: 3 buses Miami-Orlando / day
Departing from Miami Beach, Miami Downtown, and Miami Airport
Advance price $35, same day price $40
The Florida Express Bus: 8 buses Miami-Orlando / day
Departing from Miami and Miami Beach
Daytrip packages to Disney World starting at $179
Red Coach: 6 buses Miami-Orlando / day
Starting at $29 as of 23 July 2014
Car Rental
Nearby car rental locations:
Enterprise Rent-A-Car (Coral Gables), 1105 Ponce
de Leon Blvd, Coral Gables, FL 33134
Enterprise Rent-A-Car (Downtown Miami), 400 SE
2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33131
Miami Airport (16 companies), 2100 NW 42nd Ave,
Miami, FL 33142
6. Local Attractions
University of Miami Lowe Art Museum
Port of Miami
Bass Museum of Art
Coral Gables Museum
Biltmore Hotel
Vizcaya Museum & Gardens
Wolfsonian Art Museum
Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM)
Venetian Pool
Wynwood Art District
Miami Museum of Science
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
The Kampong
Holocaust Memorial
Everglades National Park
Miami Beach Art Deco District and South Beach
Matheson Hammock Park
7. Other Factors/Considerations
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Should conference-goers wish to add a vacation to their conference, they will have access to
the largest cruise-ship port in the world. Locations in the Caribbean, South and Central
America, and other parts of Florida are easily accessible thanks to the port and Miami
International Airport.
Miami is fast becoming one of the largest art markets in the country, due in part to the annual
Art Basel festival. There is an abundance of art galleries, small private (but open to the
public) museums, and public art spaces throughout Dade County.
The Everglades and the Florida Keys are relatively short driving distances from Miami.
Although overnight or multi-day stays are recommended for those who wish to visit Key
West, Key Largo and Islamorada are easy day trips.
Although the summer is, without a doubt, quite…warm in Miami, the temperature never rises
much above 88 degrees Fahrenheit, and the city and environs are cooled by constant ocean
breezes.
Food! Miami’s population boasts great ethnic diversity—Cuban, Haitian, Dominican,
Colombian, Brazilian, Argentinian, French, and many more—and each group brings its own
“flavor” to the local cuisine (Floribbean, anyone?). Furthermore, many of Miami’s luxury
hotels house high-end restaurants run by “star” chefs. You can start your day with Cuban
coffee and end it with fresh mojitos poolside…and sample the foods of the Caribbean,
Europe, Central and South America in between!
8. Proposal submitted by
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Cristina Favretto, Head of Special Collections, University of Miami Libraries, Coral Gables,
Florida.
cfavretto@miami.edu
305/284-3247