Thursday, September 16, 1999
River Front Classic not just a game
Backers hope it will be magnet for black tourism
BY JEFF McKINNEY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Organizers of the River Front Classic and Jamboree in Cincinnati are using their first event to sell more than just tickets to a football game between two historic black universities.
They are hoping that the River Front Classic will become the same tourism and business magnet that the Coca-Cola Circle City Classic in Indianapolis has become.
The local celebration — anchored by a football game between Howard University and Bethune-Cookman College on Saturday at Cinergy Field — is expected to draw about 30,500 visitors here the next three days.
But sponsors are confident that it can become more than just a weekend of entertainment and social events. Their goal: Attract other African-American organizations and business groups to stage regional and national conventions linked to the jamboree.
The River Front Classic is expected to pump $6 million into Cincinnati's economy. That money would come from visitors staying at hotels, eating at restaurants and shopping at stores.
But John Pace, president and chief executive of the River Front Classic, said the event can bring much more revenue to the city if his group can sell the event's appeal to other groups. Organizers hope to make it an annual event.
Already, his group is planning to host the African-American Physicians and Dentists Conference at next year's River Front Classic. That deal is expected to draw 2,000 doctors and dentists from Ohio, bringing another estimated $400,000 into the economy.
He said some major companies are recognizing the event's potential: Pfizer Inc. and Schering-Plough Corp. have bought suites at this year's game to mingle with black medical professionals, market their goods and services and lure some new business.
“By 2002, our goal is to have at least five to six conventions here tied to the classic,” Mr. Pace said.
The conference already has attracted support from the Cincinnati Medical Association, Ohio Valley Dental Association and the Inter Professional Association, which consists of local doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists and lawyers.
Dr. Terrence Poole, a family doctor at Bethesda Oak Hospital in Avondale, said the Classic could attract more African-American trade groups to Cincinnati. He said the River Front Classic — much like the Coors Light Festival and Midwest Black Family Re union downtown in the summer — is another major venue to attract people from out of town.
“It's another positive thing we can use to attract national groups and promote Cincinnati as a good place to do business, hold conventions and sell our city,” Dr. Poole said.
Gayle Harden-Renfro, a communications director at the Greater Cincinnati Visitors and Convention Bureau, agreed. She said her office plans to market the River Front Classic as a regional event to attract other groups to the city, particularly black trade groups.
“Even though it's a social and educational event, it's a business event because it gives attendees something to do while they're trying to accomplish other things as well,” she said.
The “classic” games, involving black universities, are annual. For example, Indianapolis will host its 21st annu al Coca-Cola City Classic Oct. 5. The classic last year attracted 50,000 people and about $22 million for the city.
Joseph Slash Jr., executive coordinator of Indianapolis' Circle City Classic, said the River Front Classic has the potential to become a draw for business groups, much like his event.
“It has become a major destination point for the restaurant, tourism and hotel industries here,” Mr. Slash said.
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