Miami: The New Destination for Finance and Technology Meetings

Long considered the gateway to Latin America, Greater Miami & Miami Beach is a thriving destination for finance and technology. The Downtown Miami and Brickell financial districts are major hubs of commerce and industry, home to international banks, start-ups, developers, law firms and major corporations. In recent years, Miami has seen an influx in businesses migrating from New York and California to open offices and headquarters, including Microsoft, Amazon and Goldman Sachs, and the talent has followed.

In the wake of the global pandemic, as work culture has shifted to a hybrid, work-from-anywhere model, Miami has emerged as a desirable destination for both businesses and workers, thanks to lower corporate taxes and a higher quality of life. This trend has led to a thriving culture for tech, start-ups and finance industries. In recent years, Miami has played host to major tech and finance conferences, including Fintech Nexus, Bitcoin, J.P. Morgan and Cisco’s invitation-only Partner Summit in 2023, amongst many others. On the horizon, Adobe will host its Max 2024 conference October 14-16 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

Hosting Your Meeting in Miami

For those in tech or finance, Miami should be top of mind for corporate meetings, conferences, special events or conventions. The Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC) in South Beach is an award-winning venue welcoming more than 600,000 event attendees and exhibitors annually. Newly reimagined with a $640 million renovation, this state-of-the-art facility plays host to exceptional conferences, conventions, trade shows and meetings, including eMerge Americas, the important global tech conference and expo held every March. Spanning five stories with 500,000 square feet of flexible exhibition halls, ballrooms and breakout rooms, as well as two beautifully landscaped parks, MBCC can accommodate meetings and events of every size and for every occasion.

Beyond MBCC, Miami’s dynamic meetings facilities include luxury hotels with expansive, flexible meeting space and in-house catering, best-in-class museums ideal for gala affairs, outdoor waterfront venues for team-building activities, and private yacht charters for networking mixers. Whether it’s a product launch at a warehouse in art-centric Wynwood or immersing yourselves in one of Miami’s dynamic heritage neighborhoods, Miami presents a unique opportunity to get some serious work done, celebrate your company’s achievements and bond with your team.

Miami as a Tech Hub

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez have track records for making Miami an entrepreneur-friendly tech hub for start-ups and beyond. Miami-Dade County was designated a ClimateReady Tech Hub by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration for its sustainable and resilient infrastructure, workforce development, and start-up support.  Meanwhile, Mayor Suarez has earned a reputation for meeting with start-up founders and creating a climate conducive to growth. He participates in the annual Miami Tech Month and other major events to ensure the industry knows he’s an ally and resource in its success. Companies such as Microsoft, Amazon, Uber, Nvidia, Tesla and Shopify have opened or have plans to expand their offices in Miami.

Miami’s Financial Sector

The Brickell financial district and Downtown Miami have long been financial centers for international banking, with many Latin American businesses headquartered here. Today, the area is thriving, with an influx in private equity, hedge funds and investment banking offices. These include Thoma Bravo, CI Financial, Citadel, AerCap, Goldman Sachs, Balyasny Asset Management and many more. According to the Miami-Dade County Beacon Council, more than 50 companies are expected to relocate or expand to Miami in the near future. They’ll join the area’s already-established top private employers, including the University of Miami, Baptist Health South Florida, American Airlines, Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean Group, SunTrust Bank, Bank of America and Wells Fargo, for a truly dynamic business and financial scene.

Economic Factors Driving the Trend

Miami’s recent influx in tech and finance was largely spurred by the pandemic, when businesses and workers fled more-densely populated cities in search of a better quality of life. With Miami’s sunshine, beaches and social scene that lends itself to the outdoors, it emerged as a favorable destination to ride out the pandemic. In the aftermath, major corporations have decided to double down on their investment in Miami and also enjoy the benefits of Florida’s lower corporate tax rate.

The Outlook for Miami

The outlook for Miami’s tech and finance industries is certainly sunny, with plenty of growth on the horizon. And for those looking to tap into the scene, Miami is a prime destination to hold your next meeting, conference, convention or special event. Not only will you and your team enjoy the spoils of this cosmopolitan, subtropical paradise, but you’ll also have the opportunity to grow as a company and connect with the movers and shakers in this dynamic hub for the future of tech and finance.

Use our guide to find the right meeting venue for your event.