When I heard that Cleveland was bidding to host the 2014 Gay Games, I certainly scratched my head. With Boston, D.C. and Miami also bidding, I figured Cleveland, not exactly known for being a gay mecca, would be an odd choice for the Gay Games. But after reading a thorough, well-written three-piece article by Brian Patrick Thornton about Cleveland’s bid process, I have certainly changed my mind and find myself actually quite excited at the prospect of a Cleveland Gay Games 2014!
The article looks at Cleveland’s plan from three perspectives: The organizers, the City and the Federation of Gay Games. In each, questions are raised and answered effectively.
I will definitely point out that the organizers fall into one trap in particular that so many organizers have fallen into: Estimating participation and economic impact numbers. The numbers the article throws out: 20,000 participants, 250,000 spectators and visitors, $60 million economic impact. No Gay Games has ever even had 15,000 participants, let alone 20k. And with more and more competition for gay-sports participants, I can’t imagine you’ll see 20k people anywhere for the Gay Games. And many have made the mistake in the past of overestimating the number of non-participating visitors. Still, if the organizers can go about this with a workman-like attitude, I’ve got great hopes for them.
I’ll be curious to hear more from the other bidding cities: Boston, D.C. and Miami. Cleveland makes a great case for themselves with infrastructure, public transportation, housing, etc…. These things aren’t flashy like South Beach or a public address by a big-name politician, but it’s these things that make a Gay Games great.
And if the Synergy Foundation (the organizing group) can remain as smart well-planned as this article is well-written, Cleveland should receive the strongest consideration from the Federation of Gay Games.
Photo by Chuck Martin.
on Jan 13th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
Well I’m sure they’d land the bid if Brady Quinn would “Come Out” in support of them. Perhaps he’ll be their spokesman.
on Jan 13th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
GO CLEVELAND!!!! EXCELLENT LOCATION!!!! And they are correct, the transportation and facilities aspect are just as good or better than any other city in the running!
on Jan 16th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
Cleveland hosted the Int’l Gay Bowlers Org. annual tournament in 1998, and they did a fine job. I’m sure they’d handle Gay Games well.
on Sep 16th, 2009 at 7:56 am
there have been questions asked of the founders of Cleveland Synergy that continue to go unanswered. where are all the funds from the league’s that have been spent in previous years.