10 Reasons to Meet in Cleveland

By Jen Jones Donatelli, Keith Gribbins

Welcome to Cleveland, where the unexpected meets the unforgettable, and the coffee flows as freely as the ideas. Whether you’re planning a corporate retreat, a convention or just need an excuse to escape the office, The Land has a bit of everything to make your meeting memorable. Plus, our locals are as friendly as they come, with a Midwestern charm that’s impossible to resist. So, pack your bags (and your business cards) and discover the top ten reasons why Cleveland is the ultimate spot for your next meeting. Get ready to network, nosh and maybe even rock out a little — because in Cleveland, we do meetings with a twist.

1. World-Class Experiences without the World-Class Ego

Downtown Cleveland has everything a meeting needs to succeed — affordable hotels, posh event spaces, famous restaurants, award-winning breweries, national attractions and an everyone’s-welcome attitude. How do we know? The experts have spoken: Cleveland was named to a recent Travel + Leisure’s “Best Places to Travel” list, noting the city is “set to shine, thanks to national and international events.” Speaking of lists, Cleveland’s Hyatt Regency was named one of “The Best Hotel Lobbies in the World” by Architectural Digest.

2. The Land of Big Events

From the 2016 Republican National Convention to the 2024 NCAA Women’s Final Four, big things have been happening in Cleveland over the last decade—and they’re not stopping any time soon. The Rock Hall induction ceremony returns in the fall (as it does every three years), and the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) and others are hosting large-scale events in the next year.

3. Expanded Convention Complex

The Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland is expanding its footprint in new and exciting ways. Having absorbed the nearby former Center for Global Health Innovation space, the convention center will now offer a bigger ballroom, an outdoor terrace with plum city views, upgraded restrooms and new escalators for easier event flow. It’s a $49 million investment that is already paying off in spades.

4. Hotels are Everywhere

Greater Cleveland as a whole has nearly 25,000 guestrooms across all major hotel brands, representing segments from luxury resorts to boutique business accommodations. Downtown Cleveland now offers almost 5,000 guestrooms in 20 hotels. Add in the flexible meeting spaces and unique dining spots, and these hotels become destinations in themselves. Meeting spaces from 10,000 to 60,000 square feet can range from traditional boardroom seating to AV- and tech-enabled theaters, auditoriums and ballrooms.

5. Memorable Venues

Cleveland is full of dynamic gathering spots that can empower your meeting with a motif. Classy galas or weddings would be perfect for the Cleveland Museum of Art. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has multiple rental options, including the entire museum. The country’s second-largest performing arts center, Playhouse Square, offers nine theaters of various sizes and one outdoor event space for rental. From Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, home of the Cleveland Cavaliers, to The Agora, this city has great venues that offer unforgettable experiences.

6. Getting Here is Easy

Cleveland sits within a 500-mile radius of nearly half of the U.S. population — only six hours from cities like Chicago, New York and Philadelphia. Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) is 12 miles from Downtown and offers an abundance of nonstop flights around the country and internationally via most major carriers. Getting here is super cheap, too. CLE offers an abundance of low-cost flights due to new low-cost carriers and increased competition. We are also easily accessible by AMTRAK train or bus, with both Greyhound and Megabus terminals close to major hotels.

7. Getting Around Town is Easier

Be it by bus or scooter, there are various ways to get around. The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) links busy travelers to timely destinations. Four RTA rail lines and two Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lines snake all over the city and to the airport. Once Downtown, take advantage of scooter rentals and the city’s free RTA trolley route. Of course, most folks just walk. Cleveland has one of the most pedestrian-friendly downtowns in America. Strollers can also take solace in the downtown ambassadors who keep Cleveland streets safe and clean while acting as mobile concierges.

8. Plenty of Food & Fun

From business luncheons to wedding banquets, Northeast Ohio has excellent bistros, clubs, cantinas and eateries that specialize in large parties and flavorful food. Food Network-famous chefs like Rocco Whalen, celebrated restaurants like Cordelia and popular food trucks like the Manna Truck all call Cleveland home. The West Side Market and Great Lakes Brewing Co. are cornerstones in Cleveland’s culinary and craft beer movement, while the JACK Cleveland Casino, Downtown clubs and indie music venues provide a 24/7 nightlife.

9. This Land is Your Land

From AsiaTown to Hingetown, Cleveland’s diverse cultures are on full display throughout the city — inviting locals and visitors to immerse and engage. Destinations such as the Cleveland Cultural Gardens provide a striking and scenic representation of our city’s various ethnic communities, while Cleveland’s queer community convenes in spaces such as the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland and Studio West 117. Whether hoisting a rainbow flag high at Pride in the CLE or participating in the MetroHealth Juneteenth Freedom Fest, you’ll find ample opportunity to be an ally in The Land.

10. Great Lake Adventures

Lake Erie provides some of the best opportunities for aquatic entertainment in the United States. Commission a group adventure with BrewBoat CLE at Channel Park Marina on Whiskey Island, enjoy drinks at Edgewater Beach House all summer long, or get all wet steelhead fishing in tributaries like Vermilion River, Rocky River and Conneaut Creek. Even Downtown, behind the Rock Hall, Oasis Marinas at North Coast Harbor is a 53-slip transient marina that provides kayaks and boat slips for rent.