Conference and Events Manager
Enterprise Community Partners
Columbia, Md.
Describe your event.
Our conference typically has 1,200 attendees, and we held it at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel. We bring together those involved in community development and low-cost housing and work to revitalize fragile communities across the nation.
Why did you decide to host the meeting in Cleveland?
Every year we choose a city where we have a local office, and since we celebrated our 25th year in 2007, we chose to meet in one of the cities that pioneered the community development movement.
What surprised you the most about Cleveland?
How many nice, unique restaurants the city had and how everything in downtown was walkable.
What did your attendees seem to enjoy the most?
The affordability of the city and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Was anybody particularly helpful?
Our main hotel was the Renaissance, and a lot of people went out of the way to help us out.
Is there anything you wish you had known beforehand?
We didn’t realize how popular Cleveland would be. We booked the Renaissance, then booked overflow, sold out and had to book three additional properties.
What were some of the unique off-site venues that you used?
We used the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Corner Alley.
Did you incorporate any interesting excursions into the agenda?
Cleveland has an eco-village neighborhood, which was our most popular neighborhood tour. They’re doing a lot to become a sustainable city.
How does Cleveland compare to other cities where you have hosted meetings?
By far, it’s the most affordable city we’ve ever been in. So many things were convenient, and people could walk from hotel to hotel.
Would you return?
Absolutely.
Do you have any advice for other planners who might bring a meeting to Cleveland?
Don’t let preconceptions discourage you from going to Cleveland. It was wonderful. Everyone will be pleasantly surprised.