CLEVELAND (Jan. 9, 2019) – Meeting and convention activity in Northeast Ohio kicks off in 2019 with a variety of meetings and events, bringing approximately 33,000 associated visitors to the region throughout January, February and March. The events include nationally recognized sporting events, annual statewide conventions and a conference for one of the leading organizations focused on photography education.
“By having ample and flexible meeting spaces and hotel accommodations to host a range of events and group sizes, Cleveland continues to solidify its reputation as a meetings and conventions destination,” said Mike Burns, senior vice president of convention sales and services at Destination Cleveland. “2019 will bring new groups to Northeast Ohio for meetings and conventions as well as groups that have chosen to return to the region.”
Highlighted below are several meetings throughout the first quarter that have significant attendance, chose Cleveland as a host city because of visitor-related developments in Downtown Cleveland or are returning to Cleveland to host a meeting or event. The estimated economic impact of the events listed below is more than $25 million.
Jan. – Mar. Hockey Time Productions Youth Hockey Tournaments
About: Hockey Time Productions will host its Rock ‘N Roll Cup Tournament Series over four weekends this winter. The Rock ‘N Roll Cup Tournament Series brings boys and girls teams from Detroit, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Erie, Columbus, Toledo, Dayton, Cincinnati and Southern Ontario to Cleveland.
Significance: The Hockey Time Productions’ tournament series provides a stream of business throughout the year; first quarter tournament dates are Jan. 18-21; Feb. 15-18; Mar. 15-17; and Mar. 22-24. Each weekend brings 1,000 attendees to the region.
Estimated Attendance: 1,000 per tournament (4,000 total)
Headquarter Hotel: Various suburban hotels
Primary event venue: Various arenas throughout Northeast Ohio
Jan. 19-20 Junior Volleyball Association Rock ‘N Rumble Tournament
About: The Junior Volleyball Association will host its two-day Rock ‘N Rumble tournament, which will gather 352 girls volleyball teams and their families from various regions of the United States. The event is open to the public.
Significance: The Junior Volleyball Association is returning to Cleveland for its fourth year and has committed to hosting tournaments in Northeast Ohio through 2021. This event was secured through the work of Greater Cleveland Sports Commission.
Estimated Attendance: 6,000
Headquarter Hotel: City wide
Primary event venue: Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland
Jan. 27-30 Ohio Department of Natural Resources 2019 Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference
About: The Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference will bring biologists, students and scientists from local, state and provincial, federal and tribal natural resources agencies, universities, and private companies across 12 Midwestern states to Northeast Ohio. Conference-goers will be able to attend nearly 400 technical presentations, various plenary sessions and networking gatherings.
Significance: Planners selected Cleveland for this convention based on the space and amenities available at the Hilton Cleveland Downtown.
Estimated Attendance: 800
Headquarter Hotel: Hilton Cleveland Downtown
Primary event venue: Hilton Cleveland Downtown
Jan. 31-Feb. 2 Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) Professional Development Conference
About: The OMEA Professional Development Conference gathers music educators from around the state. Conference attendees can attend sessions focused on band, orchestra, choral, musical theatre, music technology and classroom management. The conference also offers music educators the opportunity to meet with more than 100 exhibit vendors and listen to performances from more than 35 ensembles.
Significance: The OMEA Professional Development Conference is repeat business for Cleveland.
Estimated Attendance: 2,000
Headquarter Hotel: City wide
Primary event venue: Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland
Mar. 1-4 USA Fencing March North American Cup 2019
About: The USA Fencing March North American Cup will host the best male and female youth fencers at its annual competition at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland. Five different categories are available throughout the weekend for participants based on age, individual competition or team competition.
Significance: USA Fencing represents repeat business for Cleveland, with the organization having hosted other events here in 2013, 2016 and 2017. This event was secured through the work of Greater Cleveland Sports Commission.
Estimated Attendance: 1,000
Headquarter Hotel: Hilton Cleveland Downtown
Primary event venue: Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland
Mar. 7-10 Society for Photographic Education (SPE) 2019 Annual Conference
About: SPE focuses on fostering understanding of photography in all its forms and related media. The annual conference will offer an industry and education forum, professional portfolio reviews, gallery walks and an exhibit fair with the latest and greatest equipment, supplies and opportunities in the field. Attendees can also participate in a gallery tour of the Cleveland Clinic main campus collection and new Taussig Cancer Center collection.
Significance: This meeting was brought to Northeast Ohio by Cleveland Champion Ginenne Clark. This is the first time this Cleveland-based organization is holding its meeting in Downtown Cleveland.
Estimated Attendance: 1,500
Headquarter Hotels: Hilton Cleveland Downtown and Drury Plaza Hotel Downtown Cleveland
Primary event venue: Hilton Cleveland Downtown
Mar. 28-30 2019 FIRST Robotics Competition Buckeye Regional
About: The FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition will bring high school students from Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania and West Virginia to compete in an intense three-day event showcasing robots they designed, built and programmed. The event is free and open to the public.
Estimated Attendance: 2,500
Headquarter Hotel: City wide
Primary event venue: Wolstein Center at Cleveland State University
Mar. 28-Apr. 1 2019 USA Hockey National High School Championship Tournament
About: Northeast Ohio will host the 2019 USA Hockey National High School Championship Tournament, which will include two boys’ divisions and one girls’ division. The 2019 USA Hockey National Championships will mark the 70th anniversary of USA Hockey crowning the nation's best in youth hockey.
Estimated Attendance: 1,800
Headquarter Hotel: City wide
Primary event venues: Mentor Civic Arena and OBM Arena (Strongsville)
Mar. 31-Apr. 4 Precision Machined Products Association National Technical Conference & Technology Show
About: The Precision Machined Products Association National Technical Conference and Technology Show will bring together manufacturers, suppliers and end users of products and services from around the world who are dedicated to the production of precision machined products and turned parts. The national technical conference will include seminars and technical discussions, while the show will feature more than 300 exhibitors with equipment, products and services for those in the industry.
Significance: The new convention package and proximity of Cleveland to Midwest members was attractive to planners. The company also has its headquarters in Northeast Ohio.
Estimated Attendance: 6,000
Headquarter Hotel: Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Key Tower
Primary event venue: Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland
To learn more about Destination Cleveland or to keep up-to-date on new developments and activities, please visit www.thisiscleveland.com, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to our channels on YouTube and Pinterest.
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ABOUT DESTINATION CLEVELAND: Destination Cleveland is Cleveland’s destination marketing and management organization. This private, non-profit organization’s mission is to drive economic impact and stimulate community vitality for Greater Cleveland through leisure and business travel. Cleveland welcomes 18.5 million visitors annually. For more information, visit www.thisiscleveland.com.