Cleveland Convention Center expansion ready for ASAE annual meeting

The Association of American Executives (ASAE) will be the first to use Cleveland’s newly expanded Huntington Convention Center. It now fully integrates the former Center for Global Health Innovation, also known as the Healthcare Marketplace, into its conference space.

The $51 million expansion project increases the center’s size by 25 percent. It added a new grand entrance, an expanded small ballroom and an outdoor terrace with views of Lake Erie.

“This is a game changer for the city,” said Travis Poppell, director of sales and marketing for the Huntington Convention Center.

Nearly half of the more than 5,000 attendees gathering Aug. 10-13 will be executive-level meeting planners who are likely to bring groups to Cleveland in the coming years.

David Gilbert, president and CEO of Destination Cleveland, said his organization has 19 major events booked through 2030.

Cleveland hotel opens

In addition to the upgraded conference center, the new 491-room Cleveland Hotel opened in June. The Cleveland Hotel (formerly the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel) has 59,000 square feet of meeting space following a multi-year, $90 million renovation. This hotel was founded in 1918 and is now part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection.

Two of Cleveland’s biggest rivals, Cincinnati and Milwaukee, have also been upgrading their event spaces. Milwaukee completed a $456 million expansion of the Baird Center in time for the Republican National Convention. Cincinnati closed the Duke Energy Convention Center in early July as it undergoes a $240 million renovation that is expected to last 18 months.

Popper said Cleveland is now in a better position to compete with those two cities for the group’s business.

One of its most popular attractions, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, is also being expanded. New events, performances and gathering areas will be added. The $135 million expansion is due to be completed by 2025.

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