Cleveland’s Convention Center’s Expansion Ready for ASAE’s Annual Meeting

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

The $51-million expansion increases the center’s size by 25%. It adds a new grand entryway, an expanded junior ballroom, and an outdoor terrace with views of Lake Erie.

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

Nearly half of the 5,000-plus attendees gathering August 10-13 will be executive-level meeting planners who could bring groups to Cleveland in the coming years. 

David Gilbert, president and CEO of Destination Cleveland, says his organization has booked 19 major events through 2030. Many of these wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for the expansion.

Hotel Cleveland Opens

In addition to the upgraded convention center, the new 491-room Hotel Cleveland opened in June. After several years and a $90 million renovation, Hotel Cleveland, formerly the Cleveland Renaissance Hotel, includes 59,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. The hotel, originally built in 1918, is now part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection.

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

Poppell said Cleveland is now in a better position to compete with these two cities for group business.

One of its most visited attractions, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, is also being expanded. New areas for events, performances, and gatherings will be added. The $135 million expansion is set to be completed in 2025.