To read the complete economic impact study for Gay Games 9, click here.
Economic Impact of Gay Games 9 Exceeds $52 Million
CLEVELAND+AKRON, Ohio (2 December 2014) – Thousands came and spent millions this August at the 2014 Gay Games presented by the Cleveland Foundation. The global event’s total economic impact was $52.1 million, according to a study released this week.
“The Gay Games provided an important economic impact for the local Northeast Ohio economy, including higher revenues generated for local businesses and new local jobs,” says Shawn Rohlin, who co-authored the study with Nadia Greenhalgh-Stanley. The two are professors of economics at Kent State University.
Participants were asked about their spending in a post-event survey. Among the results:
*75 percent of the 20,000-plus who participated or attended the Games lived outside the Cleveland+Akron metro area.
*Locals and non-locals spent $38.8 million in the main sectors of the economy, including hotels, restaurants, bars and gas stations.
*An additional $20.6 million was generated in local incomes, roughly the equivalent of 726 full-time jobs.
*64 percent of local participants said they would have traveled outside Northeast Ohio to participate in the Gay Games, taking their local spending of $8.4 million and “dropping” it into another region.
“We are thrilled the Gay Games were such a success for Northeast Ohio’s economy as well as its global reputation. First-time visitors
talked about how welcoming and impressive Cleveland was, and some were planning a return trip before they even left town.” – David Gilbert, president & CEO of Destination Cleveland and the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission
“Akron and Summit County truly benefited from the thousands of new visitors during the week of the Games, and we already are experiencing long-term success. The city’s street festival during the Games – Flair Fest – was such a success that it will return next year and the International Gay Rodeo Association is already talking about coming back.” – Gregg Mervis, president & CEO of Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau