Does Cleveland rock? Fans of TV star and city native Drew Carey probably think so. And the city is hoping its new promotion for groups, as well as some new infrastructural enhancements, will make meeting planners think so.
The Convention and Visitors Bureau of Greater Cleveland recently launched a meetings savings program called Rock Your Bottom Line, offering groups that book a 2004 or 2005 meeting 10 percent off on room revenue, and free rental of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, among other benefits.
"Sixty days into the program, it has generated about 170 leads from interested parties that want to take a closer look at Cleveland," said Joe Zion, executive vice president for the CVB. "So far, it's generated 2,900 room nights with six different pieces of business. And we have 16,000 tentative room nights our sales team is actively pursuing."
Adding value to the program is the CVB's commitment to help underwrite the appearance of speakers from the Ohio office of the National Speakers Association. The CVB's airline partner, Continental, will chip in bonus points that can be turned into upgrades and free tickets.
The CVB and city are working hard to present Cleveland as a strong meetings candidate, and they have some positive assets to present. The city's pristine downtown is among the most successful urban renewal projects in the country. Downtown hotels are first-class, and the renowned Cleveland Clinic is a lure for medical symposia.
But there has been a hurdle to overcome in the on-again, off-again effort to fund a new downtown convention facility to replace the modestly sized, 1920s-era Cleveland Convention Center. The city's budgetary restraints have halted the project for now.
"The reality is, we've earned the right to have great market share in the convention world," Zion said. "Now, we just need to fit the missing tooth in the smile."
Cleveland does, however, have another convention facility: the International Exposition & Conference Center, or I-X Center, 10 miles from downtown adjacent to the airport, with 900,000 square feet of exhibit space. It suits some customers just fine.
"The I-X is one of the most capable centers for industrial-type exhibitions," said John Nofsinger, CEO of the Charlotte, N.C.-based Material Handling Industry of America, which moved its biennial NA Material Handling & Logistics Show from Detroit to Cleveland in March.
"There was an interest by the city and I-X from the beginning to bend over backwards and make this industry feel welcome," Nofsinger said. "As far as we're concerned, we'll stay there as long as we can."
Nofsinger said the 30-minute commute to downtown hotels was a chore for some of the 20,000 attendees, but that the shuttle process "worked flawlessly."
The newest major hotel is the InterContinental Hotel & Conference Center, which debuted a year ago in the University Circle area, four miles from downtown. The $65 million project features 300 guestrooms, a 35,000-square-foot conference center, and a 500-seat auditorium.
The facility will gain some national exposure in October, as host hotel of the only vice-presidential debate. The debate itself will be on the campus of nearby Case Western Reserve University.
The newest reception facility in town is just north of the new InterContinental. Healthspace Cleveland, formerly named the Health Museum of Cleveland, in November opened a gleaming, glass-enclosed facility with 25,000 square feet of exhibit space, plus several theaters and labs.
Charged with spreading the word on good health to the community, Healthspace is eager for group participation.
"We've hosted the National Association of Health Education Centers and the Ohio Museums Association, and recently held a jazz festival here," said Chris Abood, Healthspace communications manager.
Besides permanent displays, the center this year is featuring traveling exhibits on aging and osteopathic medicine. It regularly brings in Cleveland Clinic experts to address groups.
In other news, Cleveland's Clarion Hotel Beachwood last fall completed a renovation of its 120 suites and rooms. And newly opened in December was the 120-room Springhill Suites in Solon.
Contact Christopher Hosford at
[email protected].