Additional CLE infrastructure improvements can help
CLEVELAND — Destination Cleveland CEO David Gilbert said getting the NBA All-Star Game back in Cleveland was like "hitting a Grand Slam."
Gilbert said landing the NBA All-Star Weekend could do nothing but continue to help Cleveland attract other big events over the next decade.
"This is one of the most important events our community can host," Gilbert said. "Direct expenses from out-of-market to Cleveland must exceed $100 million dollars."
Gilbert said there are already ten national events to be hosted by Cleveland in 2022, with additional events already scheduled over the next four years.
"We have the NCAA Women's Final Four in 2024, we have the Pan-American Masters Games in 2024, Gilbert said. It's like a World Masters Olympics. We have the NCAA Men's First and Second Round Basketball Tournaments in 2025 and 2026. Has the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championship.
Still, Gilbert said adding one more location to the downtown area would help generate a wider variety of events later this decade.
"There's been talk for years about some form of a 10,000 to 12,000 soccer stadium," Gilbert said. "There are so many big events we've hosted that have been such a great experience that they'll see come back here."
Greater Cleveland Partnership CEO Baiju Shah told News 5 that additional infrastructure improvements will also help maintain the momentum of the big event.
"I like that we have the women's last four, I would also like the men's last four," Shah said. "While there is a need for greater connectivity between our hotels and our conference and meeting facilities, we have also talked about the need for a better passenger experience through our airport terminals."
Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb said adding the city's Division of Special Events and Marketing in 2022 will help attract more event planners across the country.
"It is important that we are always on deck approach to ensure that we can attract and retain these events," Bibb said.
Meanwhile, NBA celebrity All-Star Game participant and former Cleveland Cavaliers guard Daniel "Booby" Gibson told News 5 that All-Star Weekend will propel Cleveland to even bigger events.
"People like to make jokes and say Cleveland is this, Cleveland is that," Gibson said. "So to see him with this great talent as the Mecca of the basketball world right now, and the fans getting to experience such a great weekend, I think it's beautiful."