The Miami River Commission’s (MRC) Economic Development and Commerce (EDC) Working Group convened on Tuesday, May 13, 2003, at 2:30 PM, in the Rosenstiel School, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Dean’s Conference Room.  Megan Kelly chaired the meeting.  The sign in sheet is enclosed.

The EDC discussed hosting a marine industrial business symposium.  The symposium would occur in late November 2003.  The symposium would essentially review the existing opportunities and constraints for marine industrial businesses on the Miami River.  The EDC would attempt to attract new marine industrial businesses to open on the Miami River.  The afternoon session of the symposium may include a Miami River boat tour.  The EDC directed MRC staff to discuss the concept with the Beacon Council, Empowerment Trust, Maritime Administration (MARAD), and the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, and seek grant funding to host the symposium from potential funding sources.  Dr. Kevin Horn, a marine economic analyist, currently conducting a marine industrial economic study for the Army Corps of Engineers, was identified as a potential speaker for the symposium.  The symposium would take place in a downtown riverfront hotel, and the EDC directed staff to inquire about banquet rates.  The Marine Industrial Business Symposium would be advertised in marine related publications, such as the Florida Shipper Magazine.  The EDC chairs will present this concept to the MRC during the June 2 meeting, and further discussion of the symposium will be on the June EDC agenda.                     

The next regularly scheduled 2^nd Tuesday of the month EDC meeting, will be Tuesday, June 10, 2003, at 2:30 PM, in the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School, 4600 Rickenbacker Cswy., Dean’s Conference Room.

The meeting adjourned.