RAISED TO SUPPORT VELOCITY EVENTS & PROGRAMS $14.9 MILLION LOCAL INVESTMENT IN COMMUNITY PROGRAMS $1MILLION
WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY 4
“It’s been awesome, honestly,” Clark said.
“I’m excited to play here.” ...we went to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame last night,” Clark said.
“I think you could stay in there for about a week and still have more things to do.”
“THE 2019 ALL-STAR GAME IN CLEVELAND WILL GO DOWN AS ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL IN RECENT HISTORY. THE PRIMARY REASON WAS DUE TO THE COLLECTIVE COMMUNITY EFFORT TO SUPPORT MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL IN THE PLANNING AND EXECUTION OF THEIR 90TH MIDSUMMER CLASSIC.”
PAUL DOLAN, CLEVELAND INDIANS OWNER AND CEO
MILLION
DIRECT SPEND
“During NBA All-Star 2022, the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission was instrumental in leading important programming that demonstrated the role sport plays to inspire, bring people together and drive positive change. We were thrilled to partner with them on The Power of Sport Summit that provided a platform to discuss the intersection of sport and social impact in the past, present and future.”
Todd Jacobson, Senior Vice President, NBA Social Responsibility
“WE COULD NOT HAVE ASKED FOR A BETTER PARTNER THAN GREATER CLEVELAND SPORTS COMMISSION TO HELP US BRING THE 2021 NFL DRAFT TO LIFE. CLEVELAND ROCKED THE CLOCK IN EVERY WAY AND THE DAWG POUND SHOWED UP IN FORCE…RAIN AND SHINE. ONE MOMENT I’LL ALWAYS REMEMBER IS ON NIGHT 1, THE WHOLE CROWD SWAYED AND SANG “SWEET CAROLINE” TOGETHER. IT WAS SO AMAZING TO HAVE FANS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY SAFELY BACK TOGETHER ENJOYING A UNIFYING EXPERIENCE LIKE THAT. AND, THERE WAS NO BETTER PLACE TO CELEBRATE THE FUTURE OF FOOTBALL AND THE BRIGHTER DAYS THAT ARE AHEAD THAN CLE.”
PETER O’REILLY, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF CLUB BUSINESS AND LEAGUE EVENTS, NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Caitlin Clark, Guard, Iowa Hawkeyes Basketball (2024 Women’s Final Four Runner-Up)
WE DID IT!
As Cleveland sought to earn the opportunity to host four major national events in the span of six years, the VELOCITY campaign was born. The term “velocity” represented the continued forward movement within our city generated by hosting the 2016 Republican National Convention. The combined economic impact of the 2019 MLB All-Star Game, 2021 NFL Draft, 2022 NBA All-Star Game and 2024 Women’s Final Four was $281M, which is 45% more than the $188M benefit generated by the 2016 RNC.
We went four for four in winning the competitions to host these mega events, which generated hundreds of hours of national television coverage and incredible media attention. Together, the events offered an extraordinary opportunity to welcome many thousands of visitors to our city, which generated national interest unlike anything in recent memory. On top of that, Cleveland set a new standard for community engagement and legacy around these events. A coordinated series of programs spanning six years was developed to highlight important community issues while providing added opportunities for Cleveland’s underserved populations.
What we didn’t know then was that the impact of the VELOCITY events would be even more punctuated by the Covid pandemic. VELOCITY events helped Cleveland rise from the Covid void, bringing people back to work, visitors to our city, and joy back to the hearts of sports fans everywhere.
Best of all, the VELOCITY campaign proved that the people of Cleveland are capable of anything. We set out to do the unimaginable, and indeed, we did. Please enjoy this brief snapshot of the impact of the VELOCITY campaign – and know that together, we can (and did) make magic!
Thank you for your partnership.
& CEO
VELOCITY PARTNERS
CO-CHAIRS
LEAGUE LEADER | ROOKIE
FANS ATTENDED PLAY-BALL PARK 149,513
MLB ALL-STAR WEEK - $65M ECONOMIC IMPACT
The 2019 MLB All-Star Week was a home run! Taking place July 5-9, 2019, event activities included the MLB PLAY BALL PARK, All-Star Concert Series, All-Star Summer Bash at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, MLB All-Star Red Carpet Show presented by Chevrolet, and more. Velocity hosted additional programs leading up to and during the Midsummer Classic. The week concluded with the 90th Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Progressive Field.
VELOCITY PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
FIRST PITCH OF SUMMER
First Pitch of Summer, presented by Progressive and KeyBank, brought 800 community members together to celebrate an iconic summer of baseball in Cleveland and the city’s rich baseball history. The program started with a community-style festival at League Park and Fanny M Lewis Community Park, featuring music, games, food, resources, a baseball clinic, tours of the Baseball Heritage Museum and autograph sessions with mascots and Cleveland legends. Attendees then “pitched” a baseball from one person to the next. The ball traveled three miles from League Park to Progressive Field to be used in the ceremonial first pitch of that evening’s home game.
CLEVELAND BASEBALL DAY
Cleveland Baseball Day, presented by FirstEnergy Foundation, provided 1,000 local youth with an opportunity to experience MLB PLAY BALL PARK, an interactive fan festival with baseball-themed exhibits and activities at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland. Prior to entering PLAY BALL PARK, participants gathered at Willard Park for lunch and received an inspirational event t-shirt with the tagline “Dream Big. Have Fun. Play Ball.”
$ 5 MILLION
DID
IS ONLY BECAUSE THE CLEVELAND SIDE WAS A PHENOMENAL PARTNER. THEY WORKED DAY IN AND DAY OUT TO ADVANCE ALL THE PLANNING AND BE FLEXIBLE. AN EVENT IS ONLY AS SUCCESSFUL AS THE PEOPLE THAT MAKE IT AND I CANNOT SPEAK HIGHLY ENOUGH OF THE ENTIRE CLEVELAND TEAM.”
AUBREY WALTON, DIRECTOR OF EVENT LOCATION STRATEGY + PLANNING, NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
NFL DRAFT - $42M ECONOMIC IMPACT
The 2021 NFL Draft ‘rocked the clock’ and proved that Cleveland is nothing if not resilient! Taking place April 29–May 1, 2021, the event was a springboard in the community’s recovery efforts from the pandemic. The festivities included the NFL Draft Experience’s interactive fan festival, live music following the picks each night, tree planting by NFL Green, food donations, a field refurbishment, and more. Velocity hosted additional in-person and virtual programs leading up to and during the event to safely engage the community around the NFL Draft.
VELOCITY PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
OUT COMPETING:
A FILM SERIES
CELEBRATING LGBTQIA ATHLETES WHO ARE CHANGING PERCEPTIONS IN SPORTS
OUT Competing, presented by Velocity, provided an inside look at the experiences of LGBTQIA+ athletes and the challenges and controversy they face at all levels of today’s sports culture. This virtual film series, available November 11-15, 2021, featured three documentary films, which highlighted the barriers that threaten LGBTQIA+ athlete participation in sports and how to overcome these obstacles. The program also included two pre-recorded panels with local LGBTQIA+ experts and a livestreamed Q&A session with the star of one of films.
DIGITAL LEARNING LOUNGE
The Digital Learning Lounge, presented by Bally Sports, was available before, during, and after the NFL Draft as part of the 2021 Cleveland Power of Sport Summit. The Lounge was a curated collection of video clips, documentaries and virtual education courses about diversity, equity and inclusion in sports. Participants could explore topics related to adaptive sports, gender equity, LGBTQIA+ athlete inclusion, mental health, racial equity and more – either at the Summit or at home. “WE’RE
ASSOCIATED COMMUNITY
40.1 MILLION
“[CLEVELAND] THANKS AND CONGRATULATIONS ON AN AMAZING ALL-STAR. YOUR UNIQUE ABILITIES TO OPERATE BOTH AT A 30K FOOT LEVEL AND IN THE TRENCHES ON THE HUNDREDS OF DETAILS NECESSARY TO BE SUCCESSFUL WERE AMAZING TO BEHOLD.”
KENNY PAYNE, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, EVENT MANAGEMENT –GUEST EXPERIENCE, NBA
NBA ALL-STAR
- $141M ECONOMIC IMPACT
NBA All-Star 2022 was one to remember! Taking place February 18-20, 2022, the event celebrated the NBA’s 75th Anniversary season through the Kia Skills Challenge, first-ever NBA HBCU Classic presented by AT&T, NBA All-Star Rewards Program, NBA 75th Live, Learn or Play Initiative, and donations to address COVID recovery, food insecurity, educational opportunities and more. Velocity hosted additional programs leading up to and during NBA All-Star 2022. The weekend wrapped with the NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
VELOCITY PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
POWER OF SPORT PERFORMING ARTS COMPETITION
The Power of Sport Performing Arts Competition, presented by Union Home Mortgage, invited local artists to create an original poem or song describing how the power of sport has affected them, their community or their outlook on the world. Artists submitted a recording of their original work to judges, who then selected finalists to perform their original work live at the Cleveland Power of Sport Summit in February 2022. The winner in each category and age group received a cash prize to support their future artistic endeavors.
DISCOVER YOUR HAPPY
Discover Your Happy, presented locally by Kaulig Giving, was a multi-week mental health education program for local 7th – 12th grade students. Adapted from the Discover Your Happy curriculum designed by LG and Discovery Education, the program helped equip youth with the skills necessary to handle stress and create sustainable happiness in their lives. The students participated in weekly activities around mindfulness, human connection, positive outlook, purpose, generosity and gratitude. A final celebration was held for the program participants on February 26, 2022, at OhioGuidestone’s Stepstone Academy Gymnasium.
121,641
ATTENDEES
”IT HAS BEEN A JOY TO WORK ON THE WOMEN’S FINAL FOUR WITH TEAM CLEVELAND! YOUR PARTNERSHIP, COLLABORATION, TRUST, AND MUTUAL RESPECT OF OUR TEAM MAKES THE WORK FUN. WHAT WE’VE CREATED TOGETHER FOR THE STUDENT-ATHLETES, FANS AND THE CLEVELAND COMMUNITY WILL CREATE MEMORIES THAT WILL LAST A LIFETIME –FOR THEM AND US! ”
MEREDITH CLEAVER, DIRECTOR OF WOMEN’S BASKETBALL, NCAA
WOMEN’S FINAL FOUR - $33M ECONOMIC IMPACT
Records were set during the 2024 NCAA Women’s Final Four in Cleveland! Taking place April 5-7, 2024, the event showcased the talent and growth in women’s basketball through fan activations
like Tourney Town presented by Capital One, Bounce presented by Buick, Super Saturday Practice, Beyond the Baseline and Red Carpet Arrivals, as well as community-based initiatives like Read to the Final Four, Legacy Project presented by Dove, Connecting Cleveland presented by AT&T and much more. Velocity hosted additional programs leading up to and during the event week. On the court, the sell-out NCAA Women’s Final Four games were hosted at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
VELOCITY PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
WEDNESDAY IS FOUR WOMEN
Beginning in 2019, this annual program hosted by the Mid-American Conference, Greater Cleveland Sports Commission and Velocity celebrated women in sport and business and generated excitement on the road to Cleveland’s hosting of the 2024 NCAA Women’s Final Four. Taking place on the opening Wednesday of competition for the MAC Women’s Basketball Tournament, each event featured a panel and Q&A with women at various stages in their careers sharing their journey and offering advice to benefit others. Topics included experiences as both athletes and professionals in male-dominated industries, managing and prioritizing mental health, Title IX, creating equitable opportunities for girls and women, the growth of women’s sports and more. The in-person events also included food and drinks, networking and ticket to watch the tournament games.
ATTENDED THE TWO SOLD OUT SESSIONS 40,000 NEARLY
“THE SUMMIT PROVIDED MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO REFLECT UPON HOW THE SOCIETY AND COMMUNITIES I HAVE GROWN UP IN HAVE SHAPED MY VIEWS OF THE WORLD. BEING CHALLENGED AND THINKING OUTSIDE OF WHERE I’M FROM AND GIVING BACK TO WHERE I AM NOW IS AN IMPORTANT STEP.”
2021 CLEVELAND POWER OF SPORT SUMMIT ATTENDEE
VELOCITY PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
CLEVELAND POWER OF SPORT SUMMIT
The Cleveland Power of Sport Summit, presented by KeyBank and FirstEnergy, was a celebration of diversity, equity and inclusion demonstrating the power of sport as a catalyst for change. This free community program showcased local and national organizations utilizing their voices to address adaptive sports, gender equity, LGBTQIA+ athlete advocacy, mental health, racial equity and more. Attendees explored new ideas, embraced differences and enacted positive change through hands-on activities, workshops, performances, panels and other opportunities. The Summit began as a three-day program during the 2021 NFL Draft and was repeated alongside NBA All-Star 2022. It evolved into the 2023-2024 Summit Series, with five events taking place in the months leading up to the 2024 NCAA Women’s Final Four.
CITY CLUB OF CLEVELAND KEYBANK DIVERSITY THOUGHT LEADERSHIP SERIES
Sponsored by KeyBank, the Diversity Thought Leadership Series was hosted at the City Club of Cleveland, a historic free speech forum. This annual program featured six panels and Q&A sessions with speakers from a variety of levels within the sports industry, all connected in some way to the four major Velocity events and promoting diversity, equity and inclusion. The forum topics included a leadership approach to creating respect and acceptance in the workplace, social equality, building resilience through sport, the growth of women’s sports, how hosting major sporting events can impact cities well beyond the competition and more.
LUNCH WITH A LEGEND
Lunch with a Legend took place the week of each major Velocity event and featured an intimate conversation with standout athletes from MLB, NFL, NBA, and WNBA. In partnership with the local professional teams and Velocity sponsors, these memorable luncheons provided an inside look into the lives of legends Jim Thome, Josh Cribbs, Channing Frye, Richard Jefferson and Nancy Lieberman through personal stories, favorite career moments and accomplishments, conquering of adversity and more. Each event included a brief interview, audience Q&A and event-branded gifts for attendees.
PROGRAMS HOSTED BY VELOCITY
6,000
