Miami International Airport wins international award
From David Volz
Miami International Airport was one of only three airports in the world to receive a Future Travel Experience (FTE) Airport Pioneer Award at the FTE Global 2022 Awards ceremony earlier this month in Las Vegas. The awards program recognizes the world’s most pioneering airports and airlines for their outstanding efforts to transform the passenger experience and define the future of the air transport industry. Other airport winners were Edmonton International Airport and iGA Istanbul Airport.
MIA was awarded for its efforts to implement biometric boarding at more than 130 gates throughout the airport. When fully completed in 2023, MIA will be home to the largest implementation of biometric technology at any U.S. airport. The first phase is scheduled for this October when two gates at MIA will begin processing 20 flights per week with the expedited boarding process.
“Congratulations to MIA for being recognized as an innovation and travel experience pioneer among its global peers,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “On the heels of being named the Best Mega Airport in North America for passenger satisfaction in 2021 by J.D. Power, MIA is proving that it is taking its customer service delivery to new heights.”
Biometric Boarding will allow passengers departing on international flights at MIA to board with just the quick, touchless click of a camera. Using SITA’s Smart Path solution, which leverages NEC’s biometric identity platform, passengers will simply step up to a camera at the boarding gate and their picture is used to confirm their identities and their authorization to travel within seconds. MIA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) first tested biometric boarding in 2019 during a pilot program with select airlines, resulting in a significant improvement in boarding times.
Moss Cultural Center to host beach themed party
From David Volz
The Dennis C. Moss Cultural Arts Center formerly the South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center, is hosting a beach-themed backyard bash on Saturday, October 22, 2022, as the official kickoff to their 2022-2023 season. The free event on the center’s Back Yard Concert Lawn and Plaza in Cutler Bay will include a variety of family-fun activities, attractions, and vendors in a relaxed outdoor setting – complete with white sand and pink flamingos.
The center will also be announcing its recent name change, in honor of former Miami-Dade County Commissioner Dennis C. Moss, who served from 1993 to 2020. This eighth annual backyard bash will also feature two popular yacht rock favorites, the Pablo Cruise Band and the Pure Prairie League.
“We are excited to introduce this new concept for our most popular community event of the year, complete with a white-sand beach, where the whole family can kick back and have a great time,” said Eric Fliss, Managing Director of the Moss Center. “With a combination of great food and beach-themed adult beverages on a backdrop of Yacht Rock, we are creating an unforgettable experience where flip flops are optional and good vibes are required!”
Backyard Bash is a free community event. There will be opportunities to purchase tickets for the season’s lineup as well, which includes musical tributes like A Charlie Brown Christmas Concert and Django Festival All Stars, Broadway-style events such as World of Musicals and Taj Express, and dance performances, including Farruquito and Dimensions Dance Theatre of Miami: Latin Voices.
