Sissy DeMaria, Owner and President, Kreps DeMaria
KrepsDeMaria was tasked by the Miami Seaport Alliance to lead the public relations, marketing and community relations efforts against a proposed Major League Soccer stadium at PortMiami, an effort lead by David Beckham. Port stakeholders, including stevedores, long shore workers, cruise lines and cargo carriers, formed the Miami Seaport Alliance in an effort to educate government officials and the public on the negative impact a stadium could have on port operations. Kreps DeMaria focused on developing a communications campaign that successfully delivered the alliance's key messages through targeted media outreach, strategic advertisement placement, a sophisticated website and a comprehensive social media campaign. Kreps DeMaria also developed measures to engage supporters of the alliance against a Port Stadium.
As a result of Sissy's leadership and efforts, PortMiami was removed as a possible location for a Major League Soccer stadium. Kreps DeMaria’s public relations, marketing and community relations efforts significantly contributed to positioning the port as a primary economic driver that must remain free of a sports stadium, all while conveying no negativity to Major League Soccer within Miami-Dade County. The effort resulted in the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners voting 11-1 to remove PortMiami as a possible location for a Major League Soccer stadium.