Program Directory

City Club of Cleveland - Prescription for Prosperity: The Case for a Medical Mart in Cleveland

City Club of Cleveland

The U.S. medical industry produces 571 trade shows a year, and most change venues each year. In order to capitalize on Cleveland's leadership in medicine and attract these medical trade shows, the city and Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. (MMPI) have proposed a plan to bring a medical mart to Cleveland. A medical mart is a permanent showroom space for suppliers and exhibitions in the health care industry that can be used throughout the year. The plan also calls for a new convention center to provide additional exhibition and meeting space.

In order to help fund the project, the Cuyahoga County Board of Commissioners must vote for a proposed quarter-percent sales tax increase-to 7.75 percent. The vote is scheduled for July 28. But many, including elected officials, have expressed opposition to passing a tax increase without placing it on the ballot.

Three key supporters of the project-Frederick Nance, Dennis Roche, and Baiju Shah-will argue the case for bringing a medical mart to downtown Cleveland.

Frederick Nance, managing partner - Cleveland of Squire, Sanders & Dempsey and chairman of the Greater Cleveland Partnership, was asked by Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson to facilitate the project. Nance has negotiated several major Cleveland projects, including saving DFAS and bringing the Browns back to town. As president of the Convention and Visitors Bureau of Greater Cleveland, Dennis Roche is responsible for attracting meeting planners to the city. Baiju Shah, president of BioEnterprise, feels a medical mart would give entrepreneurs in Cleveland the opportunity to showcase their work and their city to people from around the world.

August 6, 2007