CLEVELAND (July 17, 2019) – Meeting and convention activity in Northeast Ohio will continue at a strong pace in the third quarter as the region hosts more than 75 meetings and events with over 50,000 expected visitors. Sporting events, software conferences and the world’s largest content marketing conference are just a few of the events bringing in attendees from around the world.
“By serving as a host location for large meetings and conventions, we are continuing to create positive perceptions of Cleveland in the minds of visitors from around the world,” said Ron Newman, senior director of sales at Destination Cleveland. “After having a memorable experience while in Cleveland for a meeting, these attendees are more likely to return as a leisure visitor or potentially consider Cleveland as a place to live, work or invest – helping Destination Cleveland to harness the power of the visitor.”
Highlighted below are several meetings throughout the third quarter that have significant attendance, chose Cleveland as a host city because of visitor-related developments in Downtown Cleveland and/or are returning to Cleveland to host a meeting or event. The estimated economic impact of just the events listed below is more than $23 million.
July 28-Aug. 2 The International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies Annual Conference 2019
About: The International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies (IAJGS) is an umbrella organization of more than 85 Jewish genealogical organizations worldwide. The conference will include more than 170 programs, lectures, panel discussions and workshops focusing on genealogy methodology, available archival resources and the history of all Jewish communities. Conference attendees can also go to an opening reception at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Significance: Meeting planners chose Cleveland in part due to the vibrant Jewish community, city’s attractions and local members who championed for the conference to be hosted here.
Estimated Attendance: 1,500
Primary event venue: Hilton Cleveland Downtown
Aug. 3-7 The American Phytopathological Society 2019 Annual Meeting
About: The American Phytopathological Society (APS) gathers plant pathologists from universities, government and private industries from across the globe. Meeting-goers will network with global leaders, discover the latest science innovations, receive input and discuss their research with experts in the field and attend hands-on workshops. The schedule also includes a special event at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and a session at Ohio City Farm.
Significance: The Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland and the proximity of hotels to the convention center weighed heavily in APS’ decision to meet in Cleveland.
Estimated Attendance: 1,600
Primary event venue: Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland
Aug. 7-10 2019 World Yo-Yo Contest
About: The 2019 World Yo-Yo Contest brings together more than 300 competitors from more than 20 countries to compete for the title of World Yo-Yo Champion. Participants will vie for titles in nine categories, and competitions are open to the public with the purchase of an admission ticket. The group will also host an after party on Public Square.
Significance: The group chose Cleveland in part due to the meeting space available at the Renaissance Hotel Cleveland, as well as the hotel’s access to public transportation and Public Square. This event was secured through the work of Greater Cleveland Sports Commission.
Estimated Attendance: 500
Primary event venue: Renaissance Hotel Cleveland
Aug. 10-11 2019 Toyota USA Triathlon Age Group National Championships
About: 2019 Toyota USA Triathlon Age Group National Championships, USA Triathlon’s largest annual event, will include an Olympic-distance race and an open-to-the-public sprint-distance race for athletes. The top finishers in each age group for the Olympic-distance race will qualify to represent Team USA the following year at the ITU Age Group World Championships. The course for both races will include a swim and Olympic-distance run at Edgewater Beach Park, and bike routes that will weave through Downtown Cleveland and neighborhoods including Detroit Shoreway, St. Clair-Superior and University Circle.
Significance: Greater Cleveland Sports Commission bid on and won the hosting rights for this event, and it is returning to Cleveland for the second consecutive year.
Estimated Attendance: 15,000 (5,000 athletes and 10,000 spectators)
Primary event venue: Edgewater Park
Sept. Hockey Time Productions Youth Hockey Tournaments
About: Hockey Time Productions will host its Rock ‘N Roll Cup Tournament Series over two weekends this fall. The Rock ‘N Roll Cup Tournament Series brings boys 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; third quarter tournament dates are Sept. 6-8 and Sept. 27-29.
Estimated Attendance: 1,000 per tournament (2,000 total)
Primary event venue: Various arenas throughout Northeast Ohio
Sept. 3-6 Content Marketing World
About: Content Marketing World is one of the industry’s largest content marketing-focused events, offering more than 120 sessions with 225 speakers – including keynote speaker Mindy Kaling and presenters from Cleveland Clinic, LinkedIn, The Washington Post, BuzzFeed, NASCAR and AEG. Session topics will include content strategy, social media marketing, journalism and content marketing, content creation and the future of content marketing. Attendees can go to an opening night reception at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and an evening event at Punch Bowl Social.
Significance: Content Marketing World is returning to Cleveland for its seventh consecutive year, and it brings in attendees from more than 50 countries around the world.
Estimated Attendance: 4,000
Primary event venue: Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland
Sept. 15-19 Hyland CommunityLIVE Conference 2019
About: CommunityLIVE is Hyland’s annual user conference that gathers business end users, developers, executives and experts from industries around the world. Meeting-goers can participate in hands-on technical training sessions and choose from sessions focusing on a range of topics including healthcare, higher education, IT strategy, professional development and Hyland experience & innovation. Attendees can also participate in special activities like an evening at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame or a Cleveland Indians game.
Significance: Planners selected Cleveland in part because Hyland is headquartered in Northeast Ohio, and it was an opportunity to showcase the company’s hometown. The Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland was also a great fit for the group.
Estimated Attendance: 3,000
Primary event venue: Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland
Sept. 23-25 Industry: The Product Conference 2019
About: Industry is the premier annual conference for software product managers, drawing in attendees from more than 30 countries. Guests will learn from renowned product leaders and share the latest methods, tools and frameworks that they use to build, launch and scale world-class software products. A keynote speaker for the event is Emmy, Grammy and Academy Award winner Common.
Significance: Cleveland was chosen as the location for the conference based in part on a local champion who advocated for the event to be hosted here.
Estimated Attendance: 800
Primary event venue: Cleveland Public Auditorium
Sept. 25-26 BFG Grower and Garden Expo 2019
About: BFG Supply Co. will host one of its 2019 expos at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland. The expo includes educational seminars as well as opportunities to meet with vendors for the greenhouse, nursery and independent lawn and garden industries.
Significance: The BFG Grower and Garden Expo is returning to Cleveland for its seventh consecutive year.
Estimated Attendance: 2,000
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.