Cleveland's I-X Center Expands Its Consumer Events with Pro Football Hall of Fame Fan Fest
February 3, 2014
For people who love the game of football and always wanted to meet some of the best players face-to-face, Cleveland’s International Exposition (I-X) Center and the Pro Football Hall of Fame are giving them the opportunity with the launch of the venue’s latest consumer event – the Pro Football Hall of Fame Fan Fest.
Scheduled May 3-4, the event will enable attendees to interact with 100 Hall of Famers, including such football legends as Terry Bradshaw, Joe Namath, Warren Moon, Anthony Munoz, Rod Woodson, Lynn Swann and Earl Campbell, to name a few.
“As a Pro Football Hall of Famer, I realize more than ever how much I owe to the fans who gave me so much support as a player,” said Terry Bradshaw, who was inducted in 1989.
He added, “I always receive such a warm reception from fans, and this Fan Fest is a great chance to say thanks to the Hall of Fame fans of the game.”
The two-day event will cover more than 1 million square feet of space at the I-X Center and will feature a variety of activities perfect for everyone from the die-hard to the casual football fan.
Here are just a few of the events on tap:
Pro Football Hall of Fame exhibit with artifacts from the Hall of Famers’ playing days on the field. The players also will be on hand to talk about pro football history;
Football clinics with the legends on a full-size 100-yard indoor field;
Chalk talk with the Hall of Famers looking ahead to the 2014 NFL draft;
Roundtable film screenings narrated by Hall of Fame greats;
Merchandise shop featuring Hall of Fame commemorative items; and
Hall of Famer Bradshaw will perform his one-man show, which was launched this past summer at The Mirage in Las Vegas.
Each day will include eight autograph sessions. Fans that attend all autograph sessions will have the opportunity to collect 100 signatures.
“I-X Center is one of the nation’s premier exhibition facilities, accustomed to handling the anticipated two-day crowd of 60,000 people,” said Brad Gentille, president and CEO of I-X Center Corp.
He added, “We are excited to join our exceptional production partners, Pro Football Hall of Fame Enterprises and BaAM Productions, to deliver an unprecedented sports and entertainment event with 100 Hall of Famers. The I-X Center offers more than 10,000 free parking spaces immediately adjacent to the facility and is conveniently located with easy access between multiple major freeway systems and nearby hotels.”
George Veras, Pro Football Hall of Fame Enterprises president and CEO, said the first-ever Pro Football Hall of Fame Fan Fest will bring together the “greats of America’s most popular sport with their dedicated fans.”
He added, “With such a wide variety of activities, from football clinics to autograph signings, the Fan Fest will allow people to interact firsthand with the players and will truly have something for everyone.”
The Pro Football Hall of Fame Fan Fest is just one of several consumer events held at the I-X Center. Some others, which are owned by the venue, include the Fabulous Food Show and the collocated AUTO-RAMA and I-X Piston Power Show.
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.
MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.
Add new comment