Since its inception in 1999, Ultra Music Festival has garnered millions of attendees from throughout the world to Ultra’s home in Miami, promoting the City of Miami as one of the world’s leading epicenters for electronic music and global live entertainment. In 2013, Ultra Music Festival’s economic impact resulted in an infusion of $223 million into the local economy.

 Ultra Music Festival has been a launching pad of numerous prominent musicians’ careers and uniquely showcases virtually every major genre of electronic music. Some of the world’s most cosmic artists today once performed on a small stage at Ultra Music Festival. That tradition is now in peril.

Recently, City of Miami Commissioner Marc Sarnoff and Mayor Tomas Regalado have called for an end to Ultra Music Festival at its current home of Bayfront Park in downtown Miami. In order to stay at Bayfront Park we need your support now.

The vast majority of our attendees are law-abiding music fans that travel to Miami to enjoy our beautiful weather, diverse culture and world-class entertainment. Not unlike other large-scale sporting or entertainment events, Ultra has regrettably had to contend with a few isolated incidents. Certain local politicians have capitalized on these isolated incidents to undeservedly vilify electronic dance music, its industry and its international fan base.

As a responsible event promoter, Ultra Music Festival employs best practices that are security-centered and adopts and implements significant protocol to ensure the safety of our patrons and personnel.  Each year Ultra Music Festival works collaboratively with our municipal partners, including the City of Miami, the City of Miami Police and Fire Departments, the Bayfront Park Management Trust and their respective administrative offices to ensure the safety and security of the event.  This year, event organizers and the City of Miami jointly agreed to deploy 257 police officers per day, 49 more per day than in 2013, including the following:

- The deployment of 28 additional police officers per day around the perimeter and inside the event;

- The deployment of 18 undercover detail officers, including Homeland Security and DEA officers;

- The deployment of 12 additional bike detail officers per day; and

- The deployment of “G8” (8 foot, high-level security) steel fencing surrounding the venue, which was further supplemented by additional chain link fencing and police barricades surrounding the venue.

 

Ultra Music Festival is conducting a top-to-bottom review of its security protocol and continues its long-standing commitment to the security and safety of its patrons and personnel.

 Please sign this petition to indicate your support of Ultra Music Festival as a catalyst for economic activity and key promoter of the City of Miami’s reputation as a top entertainment and leisure destination.    

 

 

UPDATE (April 10th, 2014): Today Miami Commissioner Marc Sarnoff and Mayor Regalado withdrew their "Resolution" to ban the Ultra Music Festival from Bayfront Park in Downtown Miami.

They have requested to have the issue "discussed" by the City Commission on April 24th at 10AM. The support from the Greater Miami and Beaches Hotel Association, the outpouring of support from Downtown businesses and residents, and the overwhelming support of Ultra fans around the world has delivered a temporary victory in the fight to keep Ultra in Downtown Miami. It appears most City Commissioners understand what Ultra Music Festival means to the Ultra Worldwide brand globally and appreciate the tremendous positive economic impact that the 3-day annual event has on the city of Miami and surrounding communities. We are thankful for the support from our fans and supporters both in Miami and across the world. Ultra remains committed to working with the City of Miami, its Police Department, Fire Department, and Bayfront Park Trust to make Ultra Music Festival even more safe, secure and successful next year and years to come. We must continue to put forth our positive message and we ask our supporters to help us again on April 24th when Ultra will be discussed by the Miami City Commission.

 

 

UPDATE (April 17th, 2014): – Today, the event organizers of Ultra Music Festival announced Raymond Martinez, the soon to be retired Chief of the Miami Beach Police Department, as their new Chief of Security.  The addition of Chief Martinez is part of the organizer’s long-standing commitment to continually strengthen security measures for its world-renowned annual music festival.

“Chief Martinez has built a record of distinguished service in law enforcement and we are honored to have his insight and leadership as part of the Ultra team,” said Russell Faibisch, Founder and CEO of Event Entertainment Group, Inc., producer of Ultra Music Festival. “The safety of our event, fans, crew and personnel has always been our number one concern.  For over 14 years we have worked hand-in-hand with the Bayfront Park Management Trust, City of Miami law enforcement and the downtown business community to provide a safe environment for our local and visiting fans, and our dedicated crew members who help to make Ultra a success.  Under Chief Martinez’s leadership our commitment will only be strengthened as we strive to provide the highest quality event at all levels.”