Cleveland Convention and Visitors Bureau

Cleveland Convention and Visitors Bureau
Name	Cleveland Convention and Visitors Bureau
Type	Nonprofit corporation
Founded	1934
Headquarters	Cleveland, Ohio
Region served	Greater Cleveland
Leader title	President & CEO

Cleveland Convention and Visitors Bureau The Cleveland Convention and Visitors Bureau is a destination marketing organization serving Cleveland, Ohio, Cuyahoga County, and the Greater Northeast Ohio region. It promotes conventions, tourism, and cultural attractions while coordinating with hospitality, transportation, and civic institutions to attract business and leisure visitors. The bureau works closely with local museums, performing arts centers, sports franchises, and higher education institutions to develop convention bids, tourism campaigns, and visitor services.

History

Formed during the interwar period, the organization traces roots to early civic promotion efforts alongside entities such as the Greater Cleveland Growth Association, the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce (Ohio), and municipal boosters active in the 1930s. Throughout the mid-20th century it coordinated with the Cleveland Public Auditorium, the Cleveland Museum of Art, and the Playhouse Square Center to leverage cultural assets for national meetings. In the 1970s and 1980s the bureau engaged with urban renewal projects linked to the Erieview Tower redevelopment, the Terminal Tower preservation efforts, and the construction of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to extend visitor stays. During the late 20th and early 21st centuries the bureau adapted to shifts in the convention industry by partnering with the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority, the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, and the Cuyahoga Community College workforce programs. Recent decades have seen cooperation with private-sector stakeholders including Hilton Worldwide, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Marriott International, and regional developers such as Forest City Enterprises and Bedrock Detroit affiliates working in Northeast Ohio.

Organization and Governance

The bureau operates as a nonprofit corporation governed by a board comprising representatives from hospitality companies, cultural institutions, healthcare systems, and civic stakeholders. Board members have included executives from Sherwin-Williams, KeyBank, Progressive Corporation, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, and the Cleveland Clinic. It maintains committees focused on finance, marketing, convention sales, and community engagement, engaging partners like the Cleveland Orchestra, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Cleveland Indians/Cleveland Guardians in advisory roles. The bureau coordinates with municipal officials from the City of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and regional planning authorities, and interacts with state-level agencies such as the Ohio Department of Development and tourism offices tied to the Ohio Governor's Office.

Services and Programs

The bureau offers services including meeting and convention sales, visitor information, bid development, site selection assistance, and partner training. It provides online tools and sales teams that liaise with event planners from organizations like the American Bar Association, the American Society of Association Executives, and the National Education Association. Programs include tourism ambassador training in collaboration with Cleveland State University hospitality programs, accessibility initiatives aligned with standards from the Americans with Disabilities Act advocates, and sustainability efforts coordinated with environmental groups such as the Cleveland Botanical Garden and Cuyahoga Valley National Park administration. The bureau supports convention services for professional societies including the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the American Chemical Society, and the American Institute of Architects, and works with trade show producers like Reed Exhibitions and Informa Markets.

Marketing and Events

Its marketing campaigns have highlighted Cleveland landmarks including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, the West Side Market, Heinen's Downtown Cleveland, and the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. The bureau collaborates with performing arts organizations such as Playhouse Square, the Karamu House, and the Great Lakes Theater Festival to promote cultural tourism tied to seasonal festivals and series. Major events supported or attracted include sports conventions connected to the National Football League, fan events for the Major League Baseball season, and gatherings for professional associations like the American Medical Association and the Association of American Geographers. It leverages media partnerships with outlets including The Plain Dealer, Cleveland Scene, NPR member stations in Ohio, and regional broadcast outlets to amplify campaigns, and uses digital channels to promote attractions like the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and Lake View Cemetery.

Economic Impact and Statistics

The bureau compiles statistics on direct visitor spending, hotel occupancy, and meeting-related economic activity, using data sources such as STR reports, convention center booking records, and regional tourism surveys coordinated with the Ohio Office of Tourism. Reports have tracked impacts on lodging tax receipts tied to properties managed by Rockbridge and national brands like InterContinental Hotels Group. Economic analyses often reference employment figures in hospitality tied to companies such as Renaissance Hotels and foodservice firms including Aramark and Compass Group North America. Convention-related economic multipliers are compared with metrics from metropolitan peers like Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, and Milwaukee to benchmark performance, and statistics inform municipal discussions regarding investments in venues such as the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland.

Facilities and Partners

Key facilities promoted by the bureau include the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland, the Quicken Loans Arena/Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, the Cleveland Convention Center complex, and adjacent hotels such as the Hilton Cleveland Downtown and Hyatt Regency Cleveland at The Arcade. The bureau partners with cultural anchors including the Cleveland Museum of Art, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland, and healthcare institutions like Cleveland Clinic for conference medicine and continuing education events. Transportation partners encompass the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority, Amtrak services at Cleveland Lakefront Station, and airline carriers serving Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. The bureau works with local hospitality associations, developers such as Hines Interests Limited Partnership, meeting planners from firms like Maritz and regional chambers including the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association to ensure integrated services.

Category:Organizations based in Cleveland, Ohio