Planning for Gay Games in 2014 is Ahead of Schedule

Many people around the world were shocked when Cleveland beat Boston and Washington, D.C., in the battle to host the Gay Games in 2014.

Previous Gay Games had been held in such major cities as Cologne, Chicago and Sydney. However, Ohio's second largest city is proving it is not just up for the task but ready to set the bar for future Gay Games.

At the two-year mark before Gay Games 9, Aug. 9 to 16, 2014, organizers are ahead of any prior host city in its planning.

Local organizers announced yesterday that 26 hotels in Cleveland and the neighboring city of Akron, which is co-hosting Gay Games 9, have been officially contracted to provide than 20,000 rooms nights to help accommodate the more then 11,000 expected participants.

Approximately 35 sports and culture events will be a part of Gay Games 9. Events will run the gamut from softball, track & field, soccer and swimming to volleyball, bowling, marathon and rowing to band, orchestra and cheer. Gay Games 9 is presently in discussions with over 30 separate event venues throughout the region.

Registration for many of the events, including basketball and softball, is already available on the Gay Games 9 website, www.gg9cle.com.

Nearly one million dollars has been committed by the cities of Cleveland and Akron as well as Cleveland's tourism corporation, Positively Cleveland, to support the organizing efforts surrounding Gay Games 9. Working is starting now on securing major corporate sponsorships.

"Gay Games 9 will generate tens of millions of dollars in economic activity for the region. In addition, this event presents an opportunity to showcase Cleveland and Akron as world-class destinations, welcoming all visitors," said Gay Games 9 Executive Director Tom Nobbe.

Cleveland has long been active in promoting the city as a welcoming destination for LGBT visitors. Positively Cleveland launched its gay travel marketing campaign in 2007 the included the creation of an LGBT section of its website, www.positivelycleveland.com/play/lgbt .

Following the move to be the host city for the Gay Games, Cleveland created a domestic partnership registry and granted domestic partner benefits to city employees.

In 2011, The Advocate named Cleveland among its list of "Gayest Cities in America."