Napoleon
06-26-06, 07:19 AM
Below is an article from todays Plain Dealer. In addition to it the print edition states that there were 40 vendors, up from 20 last year, 22 corporate sponsors, up from 15 last year, and 20k meals served by the carerers, up from 13k last year.
At 25, Grand Prix of Cleveland getting up to speed
Attendance, revenue increases mark silver anniversary
Monday, June 26, 2006
Jesse Tinsley
Plain Dealer Reporter
The growing success of the Grand Prix of Cleveland -- a summertime tradition that has brought fast cars to the lakefront for the last 25 years -- can be measured in several ways, right down to the bottomless pit of racing fans.
Attendance jumped to nearly 119,000 this year, compared with 89,000 last year, according to Austin Crossley, a spokesman for the race.
"We exceeded our goals on attendance, fan expectation and getting the families out here," said Michael T. Lanigan, the Grand Prix's chairman and chief executive. "We are very happy. There was a lot of excitement."
Executive Caterers at Landerhaven served up nearly 20,000 meals -- ranging from hamburgers to grilled salmon --during the three-day racing event that ended Sunday at Burke Lakefront Airport. Charles Klass, the caterer's executive vice president, said the number of meals served was about a third more than last year.
The racing event, which organizers say brings about $30 million to the local economy over the three days, is headed in the right direction, said Lanigan, who took over the event in February.
"There were a lot of smiles and we created a lot of new racing fans," said Lanigan, whose primary goal was to make the event more family-friendly by offering additional treats like go-kart racing, concerts and more vendors. "We showed them that this can be an annual family affair."
The increase in families was apparent as children and their parents visited the go-kart area and watched extreme sports.
Likely to return for the event next year is Dee Morris of Cleveland, who came to the race with his son, Dee Morris Jr., 11, and his nephew, Chris Hutchins, 6.
"It seems family-friendly to me," Morris said. "I see a little bit of everything out here."
Michael Shanes, 44, of Beachwood, who has attended the race for every one of its 25 years, said this was the best so far.
"It was nice to see the event reinvigorated, its new direction and new, fresh ideas," Shanes said. "It was awesome. A great crowd and a great day."
Corporate sponsorship and revenue were up, Lanigan said, but he did not know by how much Sunday evening. "Our cost is up, too. But that was an investment."
"It's a wonderful thing for Cleveland," said Klass of Executive Caterers. "The energy level was up with all the new activities like the stunt guys and go-kart racing and the family zone."
At 25, Grand Prix of Cleveland getting up to speed
Attendance, revenue increases mark silver anniversary
Monday, June 26, 2006
Jesse Tinsley
Plain Dealer Reporter
The growing success of the Grand Prix of Cleveland -- a summertime tradition that has brought fast cars to the lakefront for the last 25 years -- can be measured in several ways, right down to the bottomless pit of racing fans.
Attendance jumped to nearly 119,000 this year, compared with 89,000 last year, according to Austin Crossley, a spokesman for the race.
"We exceeded our goals on attendance, fan expectation and getting the families out here," said Michael T. Lanigan, the Grand Prix's chairman and chief executive. "We are very happy. There was a lot of excitement."
Executive Caterers at Landerhaven served up nearly 20,000 meals -- ranging from hamburgers to grilled salmon --during the three-day racing event that ended Sunday at Burke Lakefront Airport. Charles Klass, the caterer's executive vice president, said the number of meals served was about a third more than last year.
The racing event, which organizers say brings about $30 million to the local economy over the three days, is headed in the right direction, said Lanigan, who took over the event in February.
"There were a lot of smiles and we created a lot of new racing fans," said Lanigan, whose primary goal was to make the event more family-friendly by offering additional treats like go-kart racing, concerts and more vendors. "We showed them that this can be an annual family affair."
The increase in families was apparent as children and their parents visited the go-kart area and watched extreme sports.
Likely to return for the event next year is Dee Morris of Cleveland, who came to the race with his son, Dee Morris Jr., 11, and his nephew, Chris Hutchins, 6.
"It seems family-friendly to me," Morris said. "I see a little bit of everything out here."
Michael Shanes, 44, of Beachwood, who has attended the race for every one of its 25 years, said this was the best so far.
"It was nice to see the event reinvigorated, its new direction and new, fresh ideas," Shanes said. "It was awesome. A great crowd and a great day."
Corporate sponsorship and revenue were up, Lanigan said, but he did not know by how much Sunday evening. "Our cost is up, too. But that was an investment."
"It's a wonderful thing for Cleveland," said Klass of Executive Caterers. "The energy level was up with all the new activities like the stunt guys and go-kart racing and the family zone."