Beach can do more to support Antiques Show

The 60th annual Original Miami Beach Antiques Show was held at the Miami Beach Convention Center Jan. 19-23. How many people knew that?

Not many, and therein lies the shame of it all. We had 500 dealers exhibiting antiques and jewelry, from fancy yellow diamonds, Tiffany lamps and Jamaican Art Deco furniture, to less expensive items.

Why then, was the city willing to forego $2 million in added revenue — in the form of hotels and meal charges for exhibitors and attendees, and other forms of enjoyment?

I have been an exhibitor for 15 shows and remember when the city provided parking during the show’s hours of operation. That is the norm for most other venues that handle this type of exhibition. The show was usually held the week before the Super Bowl, thus allowing dealers to develop local clients and those visiting from out of town. Life was good for the show, and the city prospered.

Then the city began to take away parking and even curtailed handicap parking — in clear violation of the law. Show dates were not nearly as easy to get as they had been, because the city decided to refurbish the Convention Center, clearly a burden for local taxpayers, Now, it is impossible to find parking anywhere near the Convention Center.

Negotiations between the city and the promoter have been puerile at best. If both parties want this show to continue, we need better public relations, advertising in known publications, including trade papers, to make sure people from Naples to Palm Beach are aware the show is thriving. Then, Miami Beach taxpayers will have their fair share of the tax burden removed, at least in part, because the city will not walk away from such a sum of money.

– Tom Wester, Lynn Haven