The Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC) has been named a Certified Autism Center (CAC), awarded the designation by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). This comes on the heels of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau achieving its CAC designation in April.
As a CAC, the MBCC has taken proactive steps to ensure that autistic and sensory-sensitive visitors feel welcome and supported. The certification process involved comprehensive training for the MBCC’s customer-facing staff from Oak View Group, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to support autistic individuals, as well as an onsite review by IBCCES to provide recommendations on other enhancements.
“Achieving the Certified Autism Center designation marks a pivotal next step in our commitment to inclusivity, and I am extremely proud of our staff’s dedication and achievement. This autism certification enables the Miami Beach Convention Center, owned by the City of Miami Beach and proudly managed by Oak View Group, to better serve visitors with special needs, setting a new standard for accessibility in the events industry,” said MBCC General Manager Freddie Peterson in a media statement.
“By earning the Certified Autism Center designation, the Miami Beach Convention Center joins a growing number of organizations making a significant impact for accessibility. One in six people have sensory needs, and this focus on accessibility demonstrates their team’s commitment to being a leader in the industry,” noted Myron Pincomb, board chairman of IBCCES, to the media.
The reimagined MBCC is committed to providing an accessible experience for all events and visitors. The venue offers a range of ADA-compliant features, including accessible parking, sidewalk ramps, restrooms, elevators, and automatic entrance doors. For visually impaired attendees, the MBCC provides Braille signage and a visual interpreting service via the Aira app.
MBCC Focused on CSR and Sustainability
The MBCC focuses extensively on a wide range of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), accessibility, DEIB and sustainability programs. The MBCC earned LEED Silver Certification as part of the venue’s $640 million expansion and reimagination project, which includes many environmentally friendly features. Furthermore, the MBCC has recently achieved the “Foundations Certificate for Sustainability and Social Impact” from the Events Industry Council’s (EIC), and five staff members have earned the “Sustainable Event Professional Certificate,” which is designed for professionals who are dedicated to implementing sustainability and social impact where they work.
The MBCC becoming a CAC is another step in a larger initiative for the Greater Miami area to become a Certified Autism Destination (CAD), led by the Greater Miami Visitor and Convention Bureau. Earning the CAD designation as a destination means a representative number of attractions, hotels and other recreation and entertainment venues have completed the CAC certification process.
“Inclusion and accessibility are priority initiatives for our destination,” said Greater Miami CVB President & CEO David Whitaker. “MBCC achieving this designation is significant. It’s a critical step in better serving Greater Miami and Miami Beach’s diverse travel community, helps us attract meetings and gets us even closer to achieving our countywide goal of being a Certified Autism Destination (CAD).”
Earning the CAD designation as a destination means a representative number of attractions, hotels and other recreation and entertainment venues have completed the CAC certification process.
For more information, visit miamibeachconvention.com/sustainability.
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