Even the cool business people want to conference in Cleveland now

 

By  Robert L. Smith, The Plain Dealer 

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on September 30, 2014 at 8:00 AM, updated October 01, 2014 at 3:47 PM

 

The city is seeing a rush of business conferences and sales seminars, the kind of work-and-play gatherings that once landed elsewhere. It's what happens when your town is suddenly the object of positive news and widespread intrigue.

 

"We're getting more and more calls from people, from other cities, from other chambers interested in coming to Cleveland to see what's going on," said Joe Roman, the president of the Greater Cleveland Partnership, the regional chamber of commerce.

 

Dave Johnson can put some numbers to the anecdotal evidence. He's the director of marketing and communications for the Cleveland Convention Center. Johnson talks in terms of "since the RNC" was announced.

 

Since the July 9 announcement that the Republican National Convention was coming to Cleveland in 2016, the center has booked "a phenomenal" 62 events, Johnson said.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2014/09/even_the_cool_business_people.html

^ Awesome I just sent Steve Wozniak a LinkedIn request.

Cleveland's hospitality industry gears up for potential windfall of RNC convention

 

By JAY MILLER

October 26, 2014 4:30 AM

 

A key place to start will be Positively Cleveland. Its convention and visitors services department is the place where meeting and conference planners go for help. The convention and visitors bureau isn't quite ready to handle the onslaught of convention vendors yet but it will be ready soon, according to spokeswoman Jennifer Kramer.

 

Kramer added that the Cleveland RNC Host Committee will also be a touchstone for vendors once it's staffed up in the coming months.

 

Of course, it's not too early for a business to start polishing its image and finding ways to get its name out.

 

“A lot of the folks who will be coming in already have people who are already scouring for vendors, they are scouring online and elsewhere,” said Rick Turner, manager of new business development at Colortone Staging and Rentals. “They knew who to call in New York; they know who to call in Los Angeles and Dallas. But for Cleveland, it's a brave new world for them. We really have to put a spit shine on everything we're doing.”

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?action=post;topic=11531.350;last_msg=728104

 

The very horribly named 'positively cleveland' apparently finally figured it out that their name was ill-conceived and has changed it to "Destination Cleveland," which is a much better choice if it must be something than CVB.

 

http://www.wkyc.com/story/news/local/northeast-ohio/2014/10/28/positively-cleveland-will-now-be-called-destination-cleveland/18070777/

^Why do you say it was horrible?

Well maybe it's because I'm gay but anytime I hear something that is "positively XYZ" I think it has something to do with HIV-positive support group.

 

Don't get me wrong, HIV positive support groups are wonderful groups with amazing people.

 

It's just that mixing thoughts of worthy charity work, that until recently could be a emotionally painful , with fun careless times in the big city made me feel weird.

^Why do you say it was horrible?

 

A name -- for the business they're in -- should be self-explanatory (e.g., Hilton HOTEL or Smithville Convention & Visitors Bureau). Have you ever seen an article anywhere--including the one above--that doesn't include "the Convention and Visitors Bureau of Greater Cleveland" after the words "Positively Cleveland" to explain what it is? As well, as Punch mentions above, there is the subtle linkage of the name to "HIV Positive", which is something no convention and visitors bureau wants.

 

 

Branding it with one name or another doesn't fancy up what it is. People who are visiting here are going to google "convention and visitors bureau." Why do they have to call it something else?

^I 100% agree

Honest question: How many people search in that manner anymore?  Trade shows and industry groups yes, but the average consumer? Social media, yelp, WOM, press, etc all have to play a larger role in the consumer mindset

well there wasnt even a positively cleveland for all that long. whatever the name is they just need to do their job. i dont think anyone cares about the name, they just want the visitor information and promotional pizzazz.

Over 600,000 event attendees projected through 2019 so far. That's a lot of potential eyes on Cleveland....very exciting! Occupancy has stayed over 74% as well with average daily rate increasing to over $140 per night.

 

"62 EVENTS HAVE BEEN BOOKED IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS, SINCE THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF REPUBLIC NATIONAL CONVENTION"

 

http://www.downtowncleveland.com/media/228481/q3_2014_spreads-2-.pdf

^Why do you say it was horrible?

 

The name is not horrible, but it didn't make sense, based on the core nature of their business.

Hotel development in Cleveland just getting started: Seven more hotels to open in next two years

 

http://www.cleveland.com/travel/index.ssf/2014/11/hotel_development_in_cleveland.html

 

Cleveland emerges as a hotel hot spot: Take a tour through six new sleek overnight spaces

 

http://www.cleveland.com/travel/index.ssf/2014/11/cleveland_emerges_as_a_hotel_h.html

 

I brought this here from the nuCLEus thread

 

If nucleus really takes-off quickly, I wonder what this means for the Jacob's PS lot and some of the Warehouse District lots.  Additionally, while adding another 200 room hotel is fine, CLE really needs another hotel on the scale of the Hilton (or larger) to truly compete for big events. 

I couldn't agree more, from a professional stand point to consecutive hold large conferences, you need at least three convention sized (700/750 rooms) properties in your city.  One as the host and the 2nd as a over flow property. 

 

We also need to have some more upscale properties, which help change the perception of the city.  Right now the autograph & Westin properties is killing the competition.  Marriott has put some serious cash into keeping Cleveland a Marriott city.  Starwood has two properties and one (LeMeridien) on the way.  Hilton has three (two low end) with one (Hilton convention) on the way.  Would be nice to see Hilton, Starwood and Hyatt, step up and build more premier brands in CLE.  As more conventions are booked, more business travelers will be looking for brand variety.

 

There are a lot of brands we could use and would mix nicely with the new developments planned and coming online.

not sure if this is posted anywhere but, wow!!!    IMO I think lebron james should be replaced with RROF...

 

Cleveland Named as One of the Best Places to Visit in 2015

 

Cleveland makes Travel + Leisure's list of the best places to visit in 2015!

 

As this article on Cleveland.com notes, a number of factors earned Cleveland a spot on this prestigious list such as the city's new hotels, great foodie scene and of course, the return of LeBron James. Also included on the list are cities such as Las Vegas, Miami and Milan, Italy.

 

http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/best-places-to-travel-in-2015

^ great to see among that list of destinations all around the world.

If you recall, the first annual APS Music Awards was at one point the #1 trending topic on Twitter last year.

 

Alternative Press Music Awards Show will move to Quicken Loans Arena, set for July 22

 

By  Chuck Yarborough, The Plain Dealer 

on January 08, 2015 at 2:29 PM, updated January 09, 2015 at 8:11 AM

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Alex Gaskarth and Jack Barakat of All Time Low will host the second annual Alternative Press Music Awards Show on Wednesday, July 22.

 

The concert and awards show, which debuted in Voinovich Park last summer, is moving to Quicken Loans Arena.

 

The initial concert, held on an open stage in the field behind the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, was a huge success, drawing nearly 7,000 rock and alt-rock stars and fans to Cleveland.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/music/index.ssf/2015/01/alternative_press_music_awards.html

 

^That is freakin' spectacular.  it's awesome how well recieved it was, and they didn't bolt for NYC/LA

"mjarboe[/member]: Nearly all #CLE hotel rooms already are booked for 2016 @GOP convention, @AndrewJTobias reports: http://t.co/bPVuBXvDCL"

"mjarboe[/member]: Nearly all #CLE hotel rooms already are booked for 2016 @GOP convention, @AndrewJTobias reports: http://t.co/bPVuBXvDCL"

 

Makes me wonder what is going on with the old Cleveland School District headquarters.  It's already a given that hotels around the convention center area will be booked and a major priority. 

New hotel honchos...

 

Teri Agosta named general manager of the 600-room Hilton Cleveland Downtown

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20150120/FREE/150129975/teri-agosta-named-general-manager-of-the-600-room-hilton-cleveland

 

Hotel industry veteran becomes Westin Cleveland Downtown's new general manager

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20150120/FREE/150129980/hotel-industry-veteran-becomes-westin-cleveland-downtowns-new

Hotel construction in Cleveland causes occupancy to dip in 2014, despite new convention center

By Susan Glaser, The Plain Dealer

on January 27, 2015 at 11:59 AM, updated January 28, 2015 at 7:14 AM

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Hotel occupancy in the Cleveland area dipped last year – the first full year of operation of the new Cleveland Convention Center – in part because so many new hotels opened in the city.

 

A new report by travel research firm STR shows that hotel occupancy in the Cleveland metro area for 2014 was 61.2 percent, down slightly from 61.7 percent the year before.

 

At the same time, the area added nearly 1,000 new hotel rooms, mostly in downtown Cleveland.

 

MORE:

http://www.cleveland.com/travel/index.ssf/2015/01/hotel_construction_in_clevelan.html

^Despite that, I can say from experience that prices have gone up across the board Downtown, so it seems hotels are getting better rates in DT Cleveland now even if occupancy is down. It might be a wash....and not a negative. Do a quick search on Hotels.com or Hotwire. It's not the bargain it used to be, even in the dead of winter IMO.

Since there is more supply a better year to year comparison would be how many rooms booked from one year to the next

http://collegebasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/02/18/mid-american-conference-tournament-to-remain-in-cleveland-through-2023/

http://collegebasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/02/18/mid-american-conference-tournament-to-remain-in-cleveland-through-2023/

 

Awesome. It's usually such a great competition.

Agreed.

Underrated event for the city that is a constant...especially in early spring when tourism isn't exactly at its peak.

I don't doubt that other cities - including Detroit - were trying to get this event from CLE.

There's really no other venue that compares to the q in terms of quality, location and experience in MAC land. He entire league would be pissed if they put that in the Palace. Indianapolis probably thinks are above the MAC tourney. I suppose Columbus or cincy would be options.  Agree though, it belongs here and I'm happy with the news.

The MAC offices being in Cleveland was probably the biggest driver for the event being here in the first place, but it has consistently drawn well - both from the competing team's fan bases and the general public from the area.  Barring their offices moving, major issues with the Q or a complete dive in attendance, I'm betting it won't be going anywhere for a long time.

Destination Cleveland's travel and tourism efforts spur long-term economic growth, study says

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- An economic study of travel and tourism spending by Destination Cleveland and other convention and visitors bureaus says investing in efforts to attract tourists pays off in long-term economic growth.

 

Oxford Economics, an independent British advisory firm that specializes in global forecasting, found that cities that make marketing their brands and amenities a high priority see a growth in employment and spending that goes well beyond the tourism industry.

 

Oxford Economics analyzed more than 200 cities over 23 years, and found widespread economic benefits from those who collectively spent $2 billion promoting leisure and convention travel.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2015/03/destination_clevelands_travel.html#incart_river

The MAC offices being in Cleveland was probably the biggest driver for the event being here in the first place, but it has consistently drawn well - both from the competing team's fan bases and the general public from the area.  Barring their offices moving, major issues with the Q or a complete dive in attendance, I'm betting it won't be going anywhere for a long time.

 

Agree it wasa always so cool seeing all the fans in and around Tower City. More can certainly be done to make the tourney more of an event, but for now I'm content and optimistic for the future.

 

Here's hoping they go back to the format where all teams make that trip to CLE.

How Cleveland's big bet on convention center is playing out: Success but room for improvement

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio - If you build it, they will come. But not without a lot of coaxing and competition first.

 

Shut out of the national convention business for decades, Cleveland - with its shiny, new, $465-million complex -- is slowly pushing its way back into the meeting market.

 

But it's been a long, slow march, marked by painstaking efforts to convince meeting planners from across the globe that their preconceived notions about Cleveland are wrong.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/travel/index.ssf/2015/03/how_clevelands_big_bet_on_conv.html#incart_m-rpt-1

 

 

Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and others compete in convention-center 'arms race'

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The cities competing for convention business are in the midst of an "arms race," one industry watcher says, and Cleveland is now prepped for battle.

 

But the competition is adding to its arsenal, as well.

 

Just a year and a half after Cleveland opened its new convention center, officials in nearby cities with competing facilities are at work improving their centers:

 

http://www.cleveland.com/travel/index.ssf/2015/03/cleveland_columbus_cincinnati.html#incart_river

 

 

Honestly, I don't see it as a big weakness that Cleveland's convention center can't add much square footage (much by virtue of its location).  It's clear that while convention attendance remains generally stagnant, Indianapolis and Columbus risk massively overbuilding their facilities all on the public's dime.  Cleveland now has a modern, big but manageable, facility that can compete and that's great.  As for the other "convention cities," I think they're going to wake up with a hangover in 10 years.

Wonder if Cleveland, following its success with the Gay Games, could land this big convention if Indiana's governor signs the bill, as he is expected.

 

3/24/2015

Gen Con: We'll Pull $50 Million Convention Out of Indiana if Pence Signs Anti-Gay 'Religious Freedom' Bill

By Andy Towle

 

he Gen Con gaming convention has sent a letter to Indiana governor Mike Pence threatening to pull its convention, with a weekend turnstile attendance of 184,699 and unique attendance of 56,614, out of Indianapolis should Pence sign a bill headed to his desk that would allow businesses to discriminate against LGBT people based on religious beliefs.

 

According to the letter, Gen Con's has an economic impact on the city of more than $50 million.

 

Said owner and CEO of Gen Con LLC in the letter:

 

“Legislation that could allow for refusal of service or discrimination against our attendees will have a direct negative impact on the state's economy, and will factor into our decision-making on hosting the convention in the state of Indiana in future years...Gen Con proudly welcomes a diverse attendee base, made up of different ethnicities, cultures, beliefs, sexual orientations, gender identities, abilities, and socio-economic backgrounds,” she wrote. “We are happy to provide an environment that welcomes all, and the wide-ranging diversity of our attendees has become a key element to the success and growth of our convention.”

 

The Indy Star reports that Pence, who has said that he is "looking forward" to signing the legislation, remains motivated to do so:

 

“The Governor has been clear on where he stands on this issue and we don't have anything to add at this time,” spokeswoman Kara Brooks said.

 

MORE:

http://www.towleroad.com/2015/03/gencon.html

^wow and I thought Kasich was bad...

How Cleveland's big bet on convention center is playing out: Success but room for improvement

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio - If you build it, they will come. But not without a lot of coaxing and competition first.

 

Shut out of the national convention business for decades, Cleveland - with its shiny, new, $465-million complex -- is slowly pushing its way back into the meeting market.

 

But it's been a long, slow march, marked by painstaking efforts to convince meeting planners from across the globe that their preconceived notions about Cleveland are wrong.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/travel/index.ssf/2015/03/how_clevelands_big_bet_on_conv.html#incart_m-rpt-1

 

 

Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and others compete in convention-center 'arms race'

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The cities competing for convention business are in the midst of an "arms race," one industry watcher says, and Cleveland is now prepped for battle.

 

But the competition is adding to its arsenal, as well.

 

Just a year and a half after Cleveland opened its new convention center, officials in nearby cities with competing facilities are at work improving their centers:

 

http://www.cleveland.com/travel/index.ssf/2015/03/cleveland_columbus_cincinnati.html#incart_river

 

 

Honestly, I don't see it as a big weakness that Cleveland's convention center can't add much square footage (much by virtue of its location).  It's clear that while convention attendance remains generally stagnant, Indianapolis and Columbus risk massively overbuilding their facilities all on the public's dime.  Cleveland now has a modern, big but manageable, facility that can compete and that's great.  As for the other "convention cities," I think they're going to wake up with a hangover in 10 years.

 

The author, Glaser, neglects mentioning the true thorn in CLE's side here.

What other cities on this list - especially in the Midwest - have to compete with another HUGE facility in the burbs for at least some of these events?

 

Until the I-X Center goes away we will never truly get a feel for how good/bad the CCC really is doing.

I for one remember going to the Auto Show (and every other event) when it was downtown...it really added to the experience for me as a kid/teen.

I agree. I don't get why they didn't mention the 2.2 Million square foot behemoth where most of our super large events happen!?

Being that it is underground, is the CCC expandable?

I agree. I don't get why they didn't mention the 2.2 Million square foot behemoth where most of our super large events happen!?

There is a significant difference between the types of shows/events that go to the IX Center versus the CCC.  The IX Center gets the shows that draw local attendance and don't need hotel rooms close by.  The CCC should hold events that draw attendees from out-of-town and therefore access to hotel rooms is a priority.  I believe the article is focusing on the events that draw the out-of-town crowd and that's why the IX Center was not part of the discussion.

^Thanks for that explanation.

 

McLovin, I would think aside from building up to include a “Second floor" would be to extend the center north over the railroad tracks, which could provide a platform for other attractions leading people toward north coast harbor. Somewhat similar to the concept of the original train station that was planned to be built there.

I agree. I don't get why they didn't mention the 2.2 Million square foot behemoth where most of our super large events happen!?

There is a significant difference between the types of shows/events that go to the IX Center versus the CCC.  The IX Center gets the shows that draw local attendance and don't need hotel rooms close by.  The CCC should hold events that draw attendees from out-of-town and therefore access to hotel rooms is a priority.  I believe the article is focusing on the events that draw the out-of-town crowd and that's why the IX Center was not part of the discussion.

 

This is true but I'm sure the # of events and attendance figures for the convention centers in the other cities in the study include things like auto, boat and home and garden shows because those events happen at their downtown centers (unless I missed something in the article). To me unless those events are removed from their attendance and # of meetings figures, than I don't think they are comparing apples to apples unless a note is included that the CCC is intentionally designed as a smaller center because of the presence of the IX Center in our region.  I remember conversations that these centers would complement each other and not compete, so it really is a different set up than in Pitt, Columbus or Indy.

^It would seem then that Cleveland is getting less bang-for-it's-buck with the current two convention center setup.  People can drive in and then drive out of the IX Center, with no restaurants, bars, places to shop, places to visit nearby, thereby spending less and putting less money into the local economy.  If those same shows were downtown, then the money added to the local economy would be greater than the measured $111 million the article mentioned.  Seems as though this should be a conversation which should be happening.   

 

As a side note, I believe MyTwoSense (wherever he is) mentioned that shows like the Autoshow sign long-term contracts with the convention centers they actually do their conventions in.  The Autoshow- with as many people as it draws every year (and the potential money those people could put into the local economy instead of just driving home)- may not be coming back downtown any time soon.

^It would seem then that Cleveland is getting less bang-for-it's-buck with the current two convention center setup.  People can drive in and then drive out of the IX Center, with no restaurants, bars, places to shop, places to visit nearby, thereby spending less and putting less money into the local economy.  If those same shows were downtown, then the money added to the local economy would be greater than the measured $111 million the article mentioned.  Seems as though this should be a conversation which should be happening.   

 

As a side note, I believe MyTwoSense (wherever he is) mentioned that shows like the Autoshow sign long-term contracts with the convention centers they actually do their conventions in.  The Autoshow- with as many people as it draws every year (and the potential money those people could put into the local economy instead of just driving home)- may not be coming back downtown any time soon.

 

Some of those shows would have space issues at the downtown center, no?    I couldn't see the auto, boat or home & garden shows fitting into their current footprints downtown.

 

And then there's the issue of labor costs.  The IX Center is non union and can compete below any price structure the convention center presents because they are tied down by union contracts. 

Doesn't the city own the I-X center? In other words, it is in the power of the city to drive this business downtown.

Wonder if Cleveland, following its success with the Gay Games, could land this big convention if Indiana's governor signs the bill, as he is expected.

 

I just sent an email to the Gen Con people to look at Cleveland as a future hosting site. :-D

^It would seem then that Cleveland is getting less bang-for-it's-buck with the current two convention center setup.  People can drive in and then drive out of the IX Center, with no restaurants, bars, places to shop, places to visit nearby, thereby spending less and putting less money into the local economy.  If those same shows were downtown, then the money added to the local economy would be greater than the measured $111 million the article mentioned.  Seems as though this should be a conversation which should be happening.   

 

As a side note, I believe MyTwoSense (wherever he is) mentioned that shows like the Autoshow sign long-term contracts with the convention centers they actually do their conventions in.  The Autoshow- with as many people as it draws every year (and the potential money those people could put into the local economy instead of just driving home)- may not be coming back downtown any time soon.

 

Some of those shows would have space issues at the downtown center, no?    I couldn't see the auto, boat or home & garden shows fitting into their current footprints downtown.

 

And then there's the issue of labor costs.  The IX Center is non union and can compete below any price structure the convention center presents because they are tied down by union contracts. 

 

They certainly would have space issues.  I went to this year's auto show and I heard a statistic there from one of the auto reps that Cleveland's show is the 3rd largest in North America in terms of SQFT.  Went to the Pittsburgh show a few years ago and while it being downtown was definitely nice, the show itself pales when compared to ours...no test drive tracks (we had like 6 this year), no historic car section...felt very crammed into that space. 

^^ Nice! I know people in the Dept of Economic Development, and I will be mentioning this convention to them. I'm sure someone from the City or County would love to make a pitch for Cleveland and the CCC. Gen Con is under contract until 2020, but that doesn't mean they can't sign a contract with Cleveland that would be effective in 2021.

 

My only concern is the size of this convention. The Indianapolis convention center is massive (more than 3X as large as Cleveland's). Last year Gen Con had an attendance of 56,000 people. Can the CCC handle that amount?

Wonder if Cleveland, following its success with the Gay Games, could land this big convention if Indiana's governor signs the bill, as he is expected.

 

I just sent an email to the Gen Con people to look at Cleveland as a future hosting site. :-D

 

Can you post the e-mail address(es) so others can also write to them?

 

I think we could accommodate them if we used the CCMM, Public Hall, The Q and possibly the Wolstein Center. It's probably a good thing that GenCon couldn't relocate the convention until 2020 because it might otherwise have to work around other already scheduled events here.

 

Some of those shows would have space issues at the downtown center, no?    I couldn't see the auto, boat or home & garden shows fitting into their current footprints downtown.

 

I think there could be an amazing home and garden show that utilizes the outdoor mall space. That I can picture being pretty great.

Follow up on cleveland.com about the IX Center and CCC's relationship with each other.

 

I-X Center, new Cleveland Convention Center aren't competitors, officials say

Print Email Susan Glaser, The Plain Dealer By Susan Glaser, The Plain Dealer

Email the author | Follow on Twitter

on March 26, 2015 at 9:40 AM

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Cleveland Convention Center and the I-X Center are complementary - not competing - facilities. That's according to officials at both centers.

 

In response to several stories about the new Cleveland Convention Center that published earlier this week on Cleveland,com, several readers inquired about the relationship between the new facility and the International Exhibition Center, the massive former tank plant near Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.

 

"Is the Convention Center trying to put the I-X Center out of business?" asked one reader. Do the two facilities ever cooperate? asked another.

 

The answers: no and yes.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/travel/index.ssf/2015/03/i-x_center_new_cleveland_conve.html#incart_river