Photo by Katherine Jentleson

Dan Tanzilli, senior account executive at Fitz & Co.

Photo by Dan Tanzilli

Dan Tanzilli and Sarah Douglas of "Art+Auction" at Delano pool

Art Basel Miami Beach 2007

On-the-ground reports from Art Basel Miami Beach and the satellite fairs.

Still Growing Strong
ABMB 2007 will be bigger than ever.
A report on everyone's favorite winter playground from Art+Auction.

Miami Satellite Fairs
Art+Auction charts the action, from Collins Avenue to Wynwood and beyond.

When in Miami…
Culture+Travel recommends where to stay, what to see, where to play, what to eat.

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Dan Tanzilli is a senior account executive at Fitz & Co., the New York–based public relations firm that represents Art Basel. Translation: For all things Basel, Dan Tan is your man—whether you’re a collector looking to brush up against the bluest-chip of gallerists or a member of the press whose creds are on ice, his is the number that you need to have in your phone. You may not envy his jam-packed days, but you have to admire them. This is his diary of how he spent December 5, First Look day for the fair.

7:00 a.m. Wake up at the Greenview Hotel after a very busy series of opening-night events.

7:45 a.m. Go for a venti soy latte at the Starbucks on Lincoln, line is out the door, try (successfully) not to freak.

8:15 a.m. Arrive at the convention center. Press has already started lining up to get access to the media center, which opens at nine.

9:00 a.m. Press registration begins, and so do its trials. From cameramen who are angry because they can’t get the shot that they want, to language barriers (it seems like more Russian press showed up this year), there’s always a crisis to snuff out. Run off to a brief meeting regarding press opportunities with colleague Peter Vetsch. Also, at 9:00 a.m., Miami Beach Mayor Mattie Bower presents Art Basel director Sam Keller with a proclamation, declaring December 5, 2007, Sam Keller day in Miami Beach.

10:30 a.m. During press conference field various requests for film crews and answer calls from journalists having difficulties with their accreditation at the press center. At conclusion of press conference work with journalists to connect them with Art Basel directors and key figures.

10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Run between VIP desk and press center, answer phone.

12:00 p.m. Rush of first view of collection. VIPS only. Running between press center and VIP desk continues, hand-delivery of VIP passes to esteemed guests begins.

2:00 p.m. Second rush of preview.

2:30 p.m. Attempt to eat lunch and view Cartier Dome in the Botanical Garden, foiled by long lines and repeated phone calls.

4:00 p.m. Visit NetJets lounge, am treated to a glass of champagne and a tour of their lovely booth by NetJets reps Sandra Gibson and Patrick Vega.

5:00 p.m. Vernissage.

5:30 p.m. As media center is running smoothly, transfer for the remainder of the evening to the VIP desk, which is absolutely chaotic. The director of VIP relations Sascha Nikitin and I diffuse.

6:15 p.m. Field a call from a journalist requiring me to count all the shared booths in the fair.

7:50 p.m. Finally leave the fair, without having seen a single booth or piece of art.

8:15 p.m. Meet Sarah Douglas of Art+Auction at Delano pool for quick cocktail before UBS dinner.

8:30 p.m. At UBS Dinner, enjoy thoroughly the bevy of fresh seafood options, the first satisfying meal in Miami so far.

9:15 p.m. At Whitney Contemporaries party at Sagamore, chat with Sarah Medford of Town & Country, who is rocking a fantastic Pucci loaner, and other friends.

10:30 p.m. Head to Iggy Pop's "Art Loves Music" concert on the beach.

11:00 p.m. CocoRosie and the Voluptuous Horror of Karen Black presented by Deitch Projects at the Raleigh.

12:15 a.m. Quiet nightcap in the bar of the Albion Hotel begins.

2:30 a.m. Quiet nightcaps finally end. Return home ready to get to convention center at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow.

Katherine Jentleson is the editorial assistant at Art+Auction.