Summary

Miami Beach’s Business Concierge and Licensing Day brings city departments and community partners together to help entrepreneurs navigate the process of starting or expanding a business. Attendees can meet one-on-one with experts, learn about permits and licenses, and access programs that support business growth. The event makes it easier for small businesses to launch, operate, and thrive in Miami Beach.

October 2025 – Business Concierge and Licensing Day: Streamlining Permitting for local Entrepreneurs

Held at City Hall on October 27, the event welcomed dozens of entrepreneurs eager to navigate the permitting, licensing, and regulatory landscape with less confusion and more confidence. Attendees connected directly with representatives from key City and County departments involved with business permitting, including:

Building
Planning & Zoning
Public Works
Finance
Fire
Miami-Dade County DERM
Miami-Dade Tax Collector’s Office

Instead of bouncing between departments or waiting for answers, business owners had the opportunity to get their questions resolved on the spot, whether they needed help with a change of use, clarity on CO/CU requirements, or direction on the steps for opening their doors.

Panel: “Opening Your Doors the Right Way”

The mid-day panel featured experts from Building and Planning and Zoning departments, breaking down common missteps and walking through the approval process for Certificates of Use (CU), Certificates of Occupancy (CO), and changes of use. This session gave attendees a better understanding of how departments intersect and what it takes to move efficiently through the system. It also served as a springboard for more in-depth one-on-one consultations throughout the day.

Powered by Partnerships

This event wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support of our business ecosystem and internal City partners, who showed up ready to serve:

CareerSource South Florida – Workforce resources, wage subsidies, and hiring help
Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce – Networking, mentorship, and local business advocacy
eMerge Americas SMB Growth Lab – A free program helping small businesses scale through AI tools, digital marketing, and e-commerce strategies
City of Miami Beach Procurement Department – Guidance on how to register as a vendor, navigate the City’s bid system, and become eligible for contract opportunities
Miami Beach Public Works Department – One-on-one support on the parklet and outdoor dining programs, plus what’s required for setup, safety, and long-term use
Miami Beach Emergency Management – Resources on how to make your business more resilient through the BERT (Business Emergency Response Team) Program
Miami Beach Economic Development Department – Information on small business grants, incentives, and our year-round Concierge Services to help you cut through red tape and access support faster.

With all hands on deck, we expanded our reach and impact beyond permits and processes, offering attendees pathways to capital, training, disaster resilience, and long-term growth.

This Is What Concierge Service Looks Like

We heard it loud and clear: “I wish this existed when I first opened my business.”

That’s exactly why we created this event. Our goal is to remove friction from the business journey, whether you’re opening your first storefront or expanding into a new location. This hands-on, human-centered approach to permitting is just one way we’re investing in the success of Miami Beach businesses.

Missed this one? The next Concierge & Licensing Day is already in the works. Register for our Miami Beach Economic Development Newsletter to stay in the loop.