More “Synergy” coming from Cleveland
Cleveland Synergy Foundation and the Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau join forces to bid on the 2014 Gay Games
Cleveland’s Request to the Federation of Gay Games for the inclusion of Rodeo as a new sport is approved for Cleveland’s Bid!
CLEVELAND, Ohio, February 11, 2009 –Cleveland Synergy Foundation today announced the formation of, another integral partnership in its quest to host the 2014 Gay Games in Northeast Ohio.
The Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau, Akron Ohio has pledged staff resources to assist the Cleveland Synergy Foundation in its bid for the 2014 Gay Games, as well as a $10,000 investment to help pay for the fees associated with the bid process.
“The Akron/Summit CVB is especially proud to be doing our part in assisting the Foundation with the monumental task of securing the 2014 Gay Games for northeast Ohio. This event affords all of us incredible opportunities. It’s going to allow us to extend our hospitality to tens of thousands of visitors. We’ll benefit directly from the influx of ‘new’ visitor dollars into our local economy. And most importantly, this undertaking will demonstrate how powerfully collaboration can achieve a mutual goal while celebrating our diversity,” states Susan Hamo.
“Susan Hamo and her staff at the Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau have been incredible allies in our endeavor to bring the 2014 Gay Games to Northeast Ohio” said W Douglas Anderson of the Cleveland Synergy Foundation.
Cleveland Synergy Foundation plans on hosting several of the major sporting and cultural events during the 2014 Gay Games in the city of Akron and surrounding areas if the city is awarded the Gay Games.
“It is our philosophy to showcase the best that Northeast Ohio has to offer, and Akron is a jewel we want to show the world” said Brian P. Tavolier, Cleveland Synergy Foundation.
Additionally, in November 2008, the Cleveland Synergy Foundation filed formal documentation to the Federation of Gay Games to include Rodeo in its Bid for the 2014 Gay Games. On Friday, January 30, 2009, the Federation of Gay Games sports committee approved Cleveland Synergy Foundations request to add Rodeo to Cleveland’s bid as an approved additional sport.
“The International Gay Rodeo Association is very proud to partner with the Cleveland Synergy Foundation to include amateur gay rodeo as a sporting event at the Gay Games and thankful to the foundation for their work in having rodeo approved as an additional sporting event,” says Brian Helander, president of the International Gay Rodeo Association, “We look forward to our continued collaborations with them.”
“To our knowledge a bidding city has never petitioned the Federation of Gay Games to add an additional sport. This is usually done by a sports organization” said Anderson. “And the IGRA has not been engaged by the Federation of Gay Games or cities that have hosted the Gay Games in the past. This sport will bring thousands of new athletes to the Gay Games and will help with our effort to be as inclusive as possible so that the Cleveland Games represent the same diversity that the LGBT community represents.”
Gay Games IX will be held in 2014 and will include more than thirty sporting and cultural events. More than 12,000 participants and tens of thousands of family, friends, fans, and spectators are anticipated to travel to the host city for the event. Past Gay Games have yielded a significant economic impact to host cities, with estimates ranging up to $80 million from the Chicago event. Gay Games VIII will be held in Cologne, Germany, in 2010.
About the International Gay Rodeo Association
The International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA) is an organization comprised of Gay Rodeo Associations from across the United States and Canada. IGRA and its member associations are committed to supporting amateur sportsmanship through the rodeo participation, competition and recognition and to promoting the GLBTQ country western lifestyle through positive community interaction. Member associations raise and donate thousands of dollars annually to charity organizations in their communities. Visit http://www.igra.com for more information.
IGRA Contact Information:
Shaun Sewell, IGRA PR Spokesperson
(702) 300-6111
About Cleveland Synergy Foundation
Cleveland Synergy Foundation is an Ohio not for profit corporation organized and operated to measurably enhance the economy, image and quality of life in the greater Cleveland LGBT and Straight community by attracting and creating athletic, cultural events and festivals. Please visit http://www.clevelandsynergyfoundation.org for more information.
