http://www.clevcc.com/?CFID=13651966&CFTOKEN=bdaa7dc3619901ed-A7B25F6B-97BB-7E85-D38B88A54DF9453B

 

The new website lists all the events scheduled for the new convention center.

I did a blog post recently with a photo tour and some analysis/opinion on the convention center. I'll put the photos up in the photo forum on here when I get a chance (I am late in putting these up), but the blog commentary is mostly comparing my feelings on the Cleveland CC (which might have a chance to be successful) to an utter cluster#$!# of a CC that OKC has already funded but still planning.

 

http://eurokie.wordpress.com/2013/07/16/so-this-is-what-465-million-looks-like/

 

I am generally very, very, very skeptical of investing in convention centers, in case anyone was curious if I was biased.. but I can appreciate the "medical mart" bend to our facility here in Cleveland.  I've said that on here a few times tho...

Cleveland Convention Center faces competition from complexes around country

Print Laura Johnston, The Plain Dealer By Laura Johnston, The Plain Dealer

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on July 15, 2013 at 12:08 PM, updated July 15, 2013 at 4:45 PM

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cuyahoga County will unveil its new Cleveland Convention Center to the world Friday, with the kick-off to the National Senior Games. Rusted Root will rock, the ceremonial cauldron will be lit and county Executive Ed FitzGerald will do battle in shuffleboard at the free Opening Festival.

 

The party has been six years in the making, since county commissioners ordered a quarter-cent boost in the county sales tax to pay for the $465 million complex. Now, the county is planning to build a $260 million headquarters hotel next door to help lure even more events.

 

The Cleveland Convention Center is attached to the Global Center for Healthcare Innovation, formerly known as the medical mart. And its core focus is medical events.

 

But as it opens its doors as the newest convention center in the nation, Cleveland already has plenty of competition. Here’s a look at what’s happening at complexes across the country:

 

http://www.cleveland.com/medicalmart/index.ssf/2013/07/cleveland_convention_center_fa.html#incart_river#incart_m-rpt-1

Does anyone know if the cauldron will be a permanent feature to the mall?  Seems like a great piece that I believe should stay.

Exhibiting Opportunity

Cleveland CC, GCHI deliver optimism for regional growth

 

http://www.epro2.com/publication/?i=166914&p=17

 

^Wow. That is a great article for those interested in how and why certain decisions are made throughout the life of a project. Very cool.

Does anybody have the website for the Cleveland Convention Center. I would like to see their schedule.

http://www.clevcc.com/

Here's a fairly positive Forbes article that discusses the Clinic, Toby Cosgrove, the Convention Center, and the Global Center for Health Innovation. 

 

http://www.forbes.com/sites/matthewherper/2013/09/04/can-a-great-hospital-save-a-city/

^ a good article, but i still hate that "save cleveland" angle.  IMO Cleveland doesnt need to be saved, but needs to continue to gain momentum.  I think its decline is behind it.  Its not like we are 20 years behind everyone and there is no opportunity or hope. 

^ a good article, but i still hate that "save cleveland" angle.  IMO Cleveland doesnt need to be saved, but needs to continue to gain momentum.  I think its decline is behind it.  Its not like we are 20 years behind everyone and there is no opportunity or hope.

 

Agreed, I absolutely resent the apocalyptic tone of the title.

Man, I've never seen an article on CLE from Forbes that does not have complete inaccuracies or just annoying errors, like this one:

 

"In 2005 Kennedy and Cosgrove brought the med mart idea to Cleveland’s mayor, who introduced them to his bosses, the county commissioners."

 

The Mayor in no way works for the County.

 

or this one:

 

"Protected by a dedicated 141-trooper force of state police, there is a conference center, a fancy hotel and a farmers’ market."

 

CC Police are not "State Police"--they CC police.

 

In both of these examples, it minimizes or undermines the power of the City itself---one as subservient to the County and the other, the State.

I didn't read the article because of the title. The usual Cleveland angle. Nonsense.

A Forbes article about Cleveland? Got it. Moving on.

i sent some tweets to Mr. Herper about his proud piece.  He loses alot of credibility with a title like that

Jaysus H. I'm sure there are some silver linings, but I'm not seeing too many so far.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2013/09/mechandise_mart_properties_inc.html

 

Mechandise Mart Properties Inc. involvement with The Global Center for Health Innovation: Timeline

 

"Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald announced that Cuyahoga County is in advanced negotiations to replace Merchandise Mart Properties Incorporated as the manager of the Center for Global Health Innovation. MMPI first breached the idea of placing a medical mart in Cleveland in 2005. Below is a brief timeline of MMPI's involvement with the The Global Center for Health Innovation and key moments in the development process."

 

And I'm sorry, Breached or Broached??? Or is this some Freudian slip?

 

The thing was their idea. What the F!

 

 

edit: Better article here:

 

http://www.cleveland.com/cuyahoga-county/index.ssf/2013/09/ed_fitzgerald_mmpi_to_be_out.html#incart_river_default#incart_m-rpt-2

 

Ed FitzGerald: MMPI to be out as convention center, medical mart operator

 

"Two months into the life of Cuahoga County's new convention center, county officials plan to part ways with its operator."

 

The good ol' Cuahoga. I know it well.

And how about one more article from 4 years ago:

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/03/chris_kennedy_of_merchandise_m.html

Chris Kennedy of Merchandise Mart Properties says Cleveland lacks strong leaders

 

"Cleveland lacks strong leaders and is attracting no business investment, says Chris Kennedy, the Chicago executive leading the charge to build a $425 million medical mart and convention center downtown.

 

"Without us, you would have no one," Kennedy said in an interview last week.

 

He said he has been struck by how negative people and the media are in Cleveland.

 

"If the mentality of the town is people shouldn't be successful, I don't want to do business there," he said. "The hope of success has to be greater than the fear of failure."

 

Don't read that as a sign Kennedy is losing interest. He stressed that his company, Merchandise Mart Properties Inc., is committed to the project. County Administrator James McCafferty said Friday that the county and MMPI could finalize their development agreement this week."

 

MMPI's downsizing has been grossly underreported in Cleveland. MMPI has been selling off most of their properties the last several years. The Washington, L.A. and Boston Design Centers were sold in 2012. Their furniture marts are long gone. There's been all kinds of rumors about the future of the Merch Mart in Chicago.  Vornado doesn't have much interest in the trade show market now that Kennedy is gone so this doesn't come as a big shock if you follow the industry. Long term, I'm not sure if its good for the Med Mart portion but then again, I've always been skeptical of it. I suppose it depends on who will replace them and if they can figure out just what the mart will be. It seems like MMPI never really figured it out and kept changing the plans. 

Who needs a good plan when the money is there and you aren't paying for it. What did they have to lose?

I've always hated the idea of sinking money into a new CC as a standalone entity. The only reason it made any sense to me was as a compliment to the Med Mart. Now that idea (again) appears in jeopardy. Once again I feel like someone is trying to serve me Oatmeal Raisin cookies, when I was promised Chocolate Chip.

 

In any case, the deed is done, and the buildings are there. I only hope Fitzgerald and crew have a game plan to use it effectively.

^If it is someone connected to Dan Gilbert, my face will melt off.

 

(Just kidding)

 

SMG is the company running most convention centers in the country, I would expect them to be the company being discussed.

Fitzgerald is running for governor.  In order to help his credentials, I'm sure whatever is in the works is good for the city.

^If it is someone connected to Dan Gilbert, my face will melt off

 

Phase III !

Fitzgerald is running for governor.  In order to help his credentials, I'm sure whatever is in the works is good for the city.

 

I mean sure...running for governor or not, he'd be foolish to gun for the opposite  :-o

I just hope he SUCCEEDS in making this good for the city. The thought of this actually being, as the Cleveland.com commenters would put, a "boondoggle" (I can't believe I said that word... :drunk: ) makes me feel ill.

 

The last I heard, the Med mart had leased a lot of space out, didn't it? I don't really know much about what the planned business model is...it seems like there is much reason to be optimistic though.

Why would you replace MMPI with a company that manages hundreds of properties across the country? What incentive would they have to bring new shows and tenants to the merchandise mart? It sounds like we would be better served with an up-and-coming company that is hungry. Maybe I'm misunderstanding MMPI's role.

MMPI out as operator.  On Cleveland.com

^Confused?  Is there some sort of new information.  Haven't we already been discussing this for the past 4-5 days.

^Sorry.  Didn't realize that was already posted.

I was at a meeting last week with some city and county officials. I wasn't hearing every word, but they were talking about who would replace MMPI and they said there's several interested parties including one big one that either is based down South and/or operates convention centers there (Atlanta?) and was very interested in Cleveland's. The short version is these officials weren't worried about finding someone decent to replace MMPI.

 

Anyone know what well-known operators of convention center are in southern cities? I seem to recall the one these people were talking about had a three-letter acronym.

I was at a meeting last week with some city and county officials. I wasn't hearing every word, but they were talking about who would replace MMPI and they said there's several interested parties including one big one that either is based down South and/or operates convention centers there (Atlanta?) and was very interested in Cleveland's. The short version is these officials weren't worried about finding someone decent to replace MMPI.

 

Anyone know what well-known operators of convention center are in southern cities? I seem to recall the one these people were talking about had a three-letter acronym.

 

SMG?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMG_(property_management)

Anyone know what well-known operators of convention center are in southern cities? I seem to recall the one these people were talking about had a three-letter acronym.

 

MCMC (Market Center Management Company) was the operator that wanted to do the defunct Nashville Med Mart and are based in Dallas?

 

http://marketcentermanagement.com/

^Thats a good call on that. The prospects of MCMC being chosen to manage the MM/CC make me a little leary as they were unable to secure leases when they were competing with us. Here's a little back story on that.

http://www.tsnn.com/news-blogs/nashville-medical-trade-center-plans-scrapped

SMG?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMG_(property_management)

 

Yep, that's it.

^Thats a good call on that. The prospects of MCMC being chosen to manage the MM/CC make me a little leary as they were unable to secure leases when they were competing with us. Here's a little back story on that.

http://www.tsnn.com/news-blogs/nashville-medical-trade-center-plans-scrapped

 

MCMC doesn't operate convention centers just like MMPI hasn't in the past either. That's part of the issue when it comes to luring shows to town. It makes sense to drop MMPI for SMG as a convention center operator. Where the issue comes in is with the MedMart. If SMG takes that over too, it just leaves everyone with more evidence that the GCHI will be nothing more than glorified meeting rooms. Great for doctors to earn CME's but that's nothing that isn't already accomplished at many different venues in the region. There's nothing groundbreaking about that and it won't make the CC much more attractive to medical organizations either. The whole "showroom" concept is pretty much dead.

I believe in one of the articles covering MMPI's exit strategy said it's more like they are contracting out the convention center portion of the business.  Also there's this from the PD article:

 

"Dave Johnson, an MMPI spokesman, said in a prepared statement that the company is looking to hire a convention center management company "to strengthen and enhance its expertise in convention center operations."  http://www.cleveland.com/cuyahoga-county/index.ssf/2013/09/ed_fitzgerald_mmpi_to_be_out.html#incart_river_default#incart_m-rpt-2

 

So I think the best case scenario is MMPI will still be involved in running the "mart," a business concept they pioneered, while a group like SMG or Global Spectrum would manage the CC side of things, bringing in expertise that MMPI lacks.  Is there any reason to think this would not be the final outcome?  To me this is a win-win.

Why can't it operate itself---just set up a company like Cle Med Mart Corporation--and hire good people to run it? Why do we need some out-of-town national operator to run it?

Why can't it operate itself---just set up a company like Cle Med Mart Corporation--and hire good people to run it? Why do we need some out-of-town national operator to run it?

 

The theory behind it is SMG or Global would bring in a preexisting management team with vast experience in the field, who also have the capability of marketing and attracting other national shows.  Starting from the ground up is ok--if you have deep pockets and little competition (Dan Gilbert comes to mind).

Are some posters just plain ignorant? 

Are some posters just plain ignorant? 

 

Be nice. You can't assume what people know or don't know, or where their areas of expertise are.

Are some posters just plain ignorant? 

 

I suppose this personal insult was directed at me?

 

As a matter of fact, I have 20+ years in the industry.

I'm sure it won't happen, but a management change would be a great opportunity to rethink that ridiculous name for the med mart.

^ I think Glenville's insult was aimed at me, not you, Cleburger.

 

And if it was, Glenville: the concept is not crazy---many industries operated this way. One could say 'Positively Cleveland' should not be run by Positively Cleveland, rather some national company that does tourism and convention business. Its the same thing. And if you that that is good, why stop there, why not municipal---or state--governments?

It will be interesting to find out how this works.

 

It may be that the sales component is separate from the management of the facility.

^and management of the "mart" is different from management of the convention center.  While these were build jointly and have always been viewed as complimentary, they are in fact different businesses with different business models and needs.  I think for both to be successful you need experienced leadership handling the sales and marketing of the convention center, and a different team that handles the management and marketing of the mart.  The medical mart concept is so new I don't want it's potential missteps as a new concept finding its marketplace to drag down the convention center, which is an established, and frankly crowded and fiercely competitive market.

 

Again MMPI should stay in the picture and run the mart...while an experienced leader should be brought in to run the convention center.  We know the ladder is happening, hopefully MMPI is not bowing out completely...that would make me worried for the mart.

I'm sure it won't happen, but a management change would be a great opportunity to rethink that ridiculous name for the med mart.

 

Ha, a whole article about how lame the name is (more or less): http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2013/10/branding_the_global_center_for.html#incart_m-rpt-2#incart_m-rpt-2

I feel less like a picky weirdo now.

I'm running the RocknRoll half marathon and the highlight for me will be going to the convention center to pick up my packet.

 

I think I may tear up

I'm running the RocknRoll half marathon and the highlight for me will be going to the convention center to pick up my packet.

 

I think I may tear up

 

Congrats on the half-marathon. My sister is running in it too.

 

But why will you tear up?

SMG named to manage the Convention Center complex.

 

SMG tapped as likely manager of Cleveland Convention Center complex, replacing MMPI

Print Michelle Jarboe McFee, The Plain Dealer By Michelle Jarboe McFee, The Plain Dealer

Email the author | Follow on Twitter

on October 06, 2013 at 7:40 AM

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The biggest player in the convention center management business will take over the new Cleveland Convention Center complex next month, through a hand-off orchestrated by public officials and the real estate company that developed the $465 million project.

 

SMG, the new manager, is the nation's largest operator of convention centers. The 36-year-old company, based in suburban Philadelphia, oversees more than 200 meeting facilities, arenas and entertainment venues. By November 15th, SMG will add Cleveland's to that list, in a transaction that industry experts say will bring the city much more clout and many connections on the convention circuit.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2013/10/smg_tapped_as_likely_manager_o.html#incart_river_default#incart_2box

Global Center opens tomorrow. However there is 2 phases. I was never aware of the fact that it opens in 2 phases.  What is phase 1 and what is phase 2? http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/cleveland_metro/First-phase-of-Global-Center-for-Health-Innovation-to-debut-in-downtown-Cleveland 

I think the tenants are still building out their leased space, so maybe Phase I is just the publicly-accessible areas and the "Vita-Mix Theater" or whatever it's really called.

 

There is more info about the finances of the Med Mart, in this cleveland.com piece:

Global Center for Health Innovation expects to stand on its own two feet and break even in 2016

http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2013/10/global_center_for_health_innov_1.html

 

It's not terribly clear, though.  I believe the entire debt service on the MM/CC construction is being paid by county taxpayers... So is the 2016 anticipated break-even point just to cover operating costs?  Or does that include some portion of the debt service?  If just operating costs, that is amazingly underwhelming for a building with rent-paying tenants.