ESTABLISHING A FIRST-CLASS TRADITION

OCTOBER 1954 – From A History of the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association – the first 25 years, compiled in 1993

FFVA’s Board of Directors met October 27, 1954, at the Clewiston Inn. Amazing as it might seem, the first thing to be discussed was arrangements for the next annual membership meeting.

FFVA Members and others enjoy the 1955 convention at the new Fountainebleau Hotel.

There was a magnificent hotel under construction in Miami Beach, to be completed in December. FFVA Secretary-Treasurer Joffre David and Assistant Secretary Donald Butts had already inspected the 557-room hotel, which would be known as The Fountainebleau. Here is what they reported to the Board:

“One room had been completed and furnished for inspection purposes, and indications are this hotel would be a most desirable location for the FFVA Convention.

“However, it was found that the only available dates would be the first week of October 1955, and the Fountainebleau is willing to confirm 400 rooms at rates of $12, $14 and $16 per room per day, single or double occupancy, for October 3-6 inclusive; and 100 rooms can be confirmed at this time at the Empress, which is next door to the Fountainebleau at rates of $8 and $10. Additional rooms will be made available at both hotels if desired.”

David also explained that, this year there were a number of complaints from the Jewish trade about setting dates that conflicted with religious holidays, and all are aware of the conflict between convention dates and the World Series. A check had been made, and the dates of October 4, 5 and 6 definitely will not conflict with Jewish holidays and is not likely that these dates will conflict with the World Series.

The Fountainebleau and the dates were approved by the Board. All of this could be considered a measure of the growth of the Association when one remembers that the first annual meeting had been held in the Chamber of Commerce Building in Orlando. Selection of the Fountainebleau established a tradition of “going only first class” when it came to convention sites.