The estimated economic impact of Content Marketing World is about $3 million, but that's just part of the story, said David Gilbert, president and CEO of Positively Cleveland.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Joe Pulizzi's Content Marketing World may have people buzzing about Cleveland, but #CMWorld isn't the only reason Downtown Cleveland's hotels are sold out this week.
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View full sizeDavid Gilbert, president and CEO of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission and Positively Cleveland Positively Cleveland, the region's convention and visitors bureau, estimates that CMWorld's jump in attendance from 1,700 people last year to more than 2,500 this year translates to about 4,200 total room nights, about 20 percent ahead of room block expectations.
"These numbers indicate a huge jump -- and the estimated economic impact is about $3 million," according to David Gilbert, president and chief executive of Positively Cleveland and the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, via email.
But Content Marketing World is just part of the story, he said.
For one thing, the Cleveland Indians are home at Progressive Field this week, playing the AL West-leading Los Angeles Angels today and the Minnesota Twins from Tuesday through Thursday.
Not only that, the Ohio Association of Realtors is hosting 700 people here for its "Rockin' with One Voice" conference at the Marriott Key Center today through Wednesday. OAR attendees have booked 1,000 hotel room nights, selling out their room blocks at the Marriott and at the Renaissance Hotel, and are expected to collectively generate an economic impact of $750,000.
"This will be the first time they are returning to Cleveland since 2006," Gilbert said. "With the opening of the Cleveland Convention Center in 2013, we have been added back to OAR's state convention rotation."
And finally, the ACN International Training Event is coming to Quicken Loans Area from Tuesday through Sept. 14. ACN started out as a reseller of long distance services but is now among the world's largest direct sellers of telecommunications, energy and essential services for homes and businesses. The show will draw about 2,000 people, who have reserved more than 8,000 hotel room nights, and will contribute an economic impact of $2 million, Gilbert said.
Other highlights drawing visitors to Cleveland this week:
The Western Reserve Historical Society's exhibit "1964: When Browns Town was Title Town," has opened and continues through February 2015.
Earth Day Coalition's Third Annual Alt Fuel and Bike Sunset Cruise-In is Tuesday night at Whiskey Island.
Saturday and Sunday is the Village Peddler Festival at Lake Metroparks Farmpark in Kirtland and the Cleveland Museum of Art's Chalk Festival in University Circle.
Saturday is also the Susan G. Komen of Northeast Ohio Race for the Cure in Downtown Cleveland.
And Sunday, the Cleveland Browns take on the New Orleans Saints at FirstEnergy Stadium on the lakefront.