Miami, FL—Representatives of the Miami Downtown Development Authority (Miami DDA) and local real estate professionals will be collaboratively exhibiting at the 2008 ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers) RECon, the world’s largest retailer expo, to be held May 18th to May 21st  at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

More than 2,000 public officials and 50,000 retailers, real estate professionals, investors and developers are expected to attend this global convention. Nearly 100 cities, economic development agencies and other public sector groups are also exhibiting at this year’s convention. 

The 600 square-foot booth will be located at N 74 C Street in the main leasing mall. Attending on behalf of the Miami DDA will be Interim Executive Director Alyce Robertson as well as staff from the Miami DDA and the Downtown Miami Partnership, a non-profit community-based organization that shares the mission to attract new business to Downtown.

In supporting the efforts of the private sector, the Miami DDA’s booth will also serve as a meeting venue and resource center for businesses and professionals already located in Downtown Miami. Resources available include site selection, permit assistance, relevant research and analysis, and cooperative marketing assistance. 

Among the Miami DDA’s partners working alongside the agencies to advance the City’s business recruitment initiatives are Metro One Properties representing Flagler First and One Flagler; Comras Company representing Omni Shops and Ten Museum Park; and The Foram Group for Brickell Financial Center. All of the Miami DDA’s participating partners are members of the Retail Advisory Group, a group of over 50 retailers, brokers, tenants, and property owners that plays a significant role in formulating the economic/retail strategy for Downtown Miami.

“ICSC is a great opportunity to promote retail investment and development opportunities to over 50,000 real estate professionals,” said Leo Zabezhinsky, economic development director. “It affords us—and the local stakeholders with whom we have partnered—high-profile exposure among an international audience of decision makers.”

“We have a captive audience in which to showcase how far Downtown Miami has come as a world-class destination for business and tourism,” added Robertson.  “With so many new residents moving to downtown ICSC is a perfect opportunity to reinforce our destination and secure quality retail and services for them.” 

“ICSC is the world series of real estate conventions for retail and mixed-use, specifically,” said Tony Cho, president of Metro 1, “and downtown urban retail in general is taking a new form and has more traction. Simultaneously, Downtown Miami is reaching a critical and pivotal development. There’s tremendous new energy, new business, and new action here due to many different elements coming together through collaborations like this. ICSC comes at a great time for us.”

Founded in 1965 as a public/private agency, The Miami Downtown Development Authority is governed by a 15-member Board comprised of three (3) public appointees and twelve (12) downtown property owners, residents and / or workers. Through its own programs and services and partnership with the City of Miami and other governmental entities, Miami DDA is dedicated to making Downtown a more livable community and improving the quality of life for employers, employees, residents, property owners, and visitors. For more information, please call (305) 579-6675 or visit