If you live in Cleveland, then you are probably aware that we have been trying to get the bid for the 2014 gay games. Today congratulations go out to the Synergy Foundation and all the hard work that they have done over the last couple of years! The gay games committee announced today from Cologne that Cleveland had been awarded the honor of hosting the Gay Games in 2014. What are the gay games anyway? The gay games is a collection of Olympic style events. The competition was organized many years ago to promote the athleticism of the gay community who were often excluded from the traditional Olympic games. Furthermore, it allows the gay community to debunk the stereotypes associated with the LGBT community, by showing that gay people can be athletes as well as sports fans. The games are open to anyone regardless of gender, orientation, race, creed or whatever. Hosted every four years, the gay games also has a big economic impact on the host city, which helps to promote the economic impact of the LGBT community.
What does this mean for Cleveland? The Gay Games can have a significant impact on Cleveland, Akron and NE Ohio as a region. Not exactly known as a destination city for much of the LGBT community, the Gay Games could potential do more for gay tourism than any amount spent by the city to promote itself. The estimates being thrown around are a $60 million economic impact on the local economy. The estimates used by Ohio.com also say that as many as 60,000 athletes and spectators may be in attendance. While this is surely good news, I think that these estimates fall far short of what the true impact could be. The Gay Games 2010 is being held in Cologne, Germany. From their site:
Some 12,000 participants from more than 70 countries will converge for the Gay Games VIII Cologne 2010 and celebrate the principles of participation, inclusion and personal best.
If we see anything like this type of participation, and the economic impact should far exceed $60 million. In addition, in order to make our bid viable, the Synergy Foundation found venues around the region. They have courted the Gay Rodeo, who are planning on adding Cleveland to its regular circuit. Then there are the intangible benefits that we may not see as being connected to the games. I am not talking about just the extra visits from scouts and athletes who visit the town to see the place that the games will take place.
There are plenty of possibilities that arise from the publicity around the Gay Games. Showing Cleveland to be a progressive and inclusive city could be just the edge we need to attract new business to the region. Think about how much tech companies are expanding in the current economy. Events like the Gay Games start to attract the attention of companies like these. It tells them to give Cleveland a second look. When they do, they can see the opportunity that exists here. With a great location, ample access to freight shipping and centrally located to most of the US population, Cleveland make sense as a great place to open that new factory or tech center. Consider the low cost of operating a location here. Add these pluses to the push toward sustainability by the city and you have a location that rates A+ to executives. This could be the next big push that the area needs to promote itself!
So congrats to Cleveland and the Synergy Foundation. When you get a chance, send your a note of thanks to your local council person, your mayor and to the folks over at the Synergy Foundation for all their hard work!
