News Summary
Cleveland’s convention sector faces challenges due to proposed Ohio laws impacting LGBT rights, leading to the cancellation of a major convention that would have brought 6,500 visitors. While the management company asserts a strong year with numerous events, future bookings appear uncertain. Historical anti-discrimination policies are at risk, reflecting broader economic concerns as airport traffic declines and local legal disputes arise. These factors complicate Cleveland’s recovery efforts.
Cleveland’s Convention Business Hit Hard by Proposed Ohio Laws
Cuyahoga County taxpayers are continuing to bear the financial burden of the Huntington Convention Center, which opened in 2013. This financial responsibility includes the debt from the center as well as a $51 million transformation of the adjacent medical mart. The changes aimed to generate financial returns from increased convention hosting but now face challenges due to proposed Ohio laws concerning LGBT and transgender rights.
One significant impact of these proposed laws is the withdrawal of the International Studies Association from hosting a convention in Cleveland. This event was expected to attract around 6,500 visitors and result in approximately 8,000 hotel stays, significantly boosting the local economy in February.
Despite this setback, the management company of the convention center, ASM Global, believes this year is shaping up to be among the best in its history. Currently, there are 137 events scheduled, including conventions hosted by the National Association of Black Journalists and the National Urban League. This success is reflected in over 2,200 hotel nights booked specifically for these events this year, showcasing a strong performance in convention business for 2023.
Future Prospects and Challenges
Looking ahead, projections for next year’s bookings appear weaker. This decline can largely be attributed to normal cyclical changes and uncertainties in the convention scheduling process. However, experts anticipate recovery by 2027, with expectations for peaks in convention activity projected for 2028.
Cleveland has made strides in promoting anti-discrimination policies, having laws protecting gender identity and sexual orientation since 2009, expanded countywide in 2018. However, the restrictive new laws at the state level have raised concerns about their potential impact on the convention business.
Broader Economic Indicators
In addition to the challenges faced by the convention sector, Cleveland Hopkins International Airport has experienced a decline in traffic for four consecutive months, with July traffic reported to be 1.7% lower than the previous year. These trends may reflect not only local issues but also broader national patterns of decreasing travel along with emerging economic uncertainties.
In the city, the Cleveland Browns are entangled in legal controversies relating to potential plans for a new stadium in Brook Park. A miscommunication from the Ohio Department of Transportation has left no clear deadline for these plans. Concurrently, the city is suing the Browns for alleged violations of the Modell Law, which mandates that any team wanting to leave must first be placed for sale. Former Mayor Dennis Kucinich has also initiated a lawsuit connected to this matter, aiming to utilize the Modell Law for his benefits.
Other Statewide Issues
Ohio is also experiencing contrasting regulatory environments concerning marijuana. While strict regulations govern marijuana usage, lax laws around hemp production have created opportunities for the sale of intoxicating hemp products without restrictions. This issue, along with rising mental health concerns reflected in increasing court cases, continues to be a significant concern for state officials.
Additionally, changes in federal education law may lead to rising costs for graduate programs, prompting students to seek higher-interest loans for funding their education. Local governance issues are surfacing as well, with active mayoral recall efforts in North Ridgeville driven by rapid residential growth and struggles with city infrastructure.
In summary, Cleveland’s current economic landscape is marred by challenges facing the convention business due to legislation affecting LGBT rights, declining airport traffic, and ongoing legal disputes. While there are events generating positive revenue, uncertainties in future bookings and external economic pressures underscore the complexity of the city’s recovery efforts.
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Additional Resources
- Cleveland.com: Ohio’s Far-Right Swing and Conventions
- Wikipedia: Cleveland
- WKYC: Cleveland’s Major Convention Deal
- Google Search: Ohio Convention Business
- Spectrum News: Small Business Expo
- Google Scholar: Cleveland Convention Economy
- Cleveland Magazine: Hospitality Engine at Huntington Center
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Cleveland Convention
- Crain’s Cleveland: Minority Conventions in Cleveland
- Google News: Ohio Legal Issues
Author: STAFF HERE CLEVELAND WRITER
CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER The CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER represents the seasoned team at HERECleveland.com, your premier source for actionable local news and information in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and beyond, delivering "news you can use" with in-depth coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news impacting the region—backed by years of expert reporting and robust community input, including local press releases and business updates, while providing top reporting on high-profile events like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions, Cleveland International Film Festival, and holiday parades, alongside key organizations such as the Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Orchestra, and Great Lakes Science Center, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare like Sherwin-Williams and University Hospitals, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREDayton.com, offering comprehensive, credible insights into Ohio's vibrant landscape. HERE Cleveland HERE Dayton
