CLEVELAND, Ohio—There is a certain pride that comes with being a Clevelander. 

• The last time Cleveland hosted the MLB All-Star Game was 22 years ago, in 1997
• Cleveland is a much different place today than the last time the All-Stars took the field
• The city is now bustling, with more entertainment districts, hotels and major events

And there’s even more pride that comes with seeing your city go from “The Mistake by the Lake” to a vibrant place with plenty to offer. 

“What you’re seeing really now is a city on the rise and I think at that point you were still seeing a city fighting from being a city on decline,” said David Gilbert, CEO, Destination Cleveland.

In 1997 the Cleveland Browns had packed up and left town.

Today, Cleveland sports teams are getting national attention.

“But now you look… the Indians are very good,” said Gilbert. “For many, many years it’s been highly competitive …the Browns are now becoming a national phenom. Just a couple of years ago the Cavs won the championship.”

Entertainment has exploded throughout the city, transforming the streets of Cleveland. 

“It’s a vastly different place. There’s more excitement, there’s more to do, more entertainment districts, more hotels,” said Gilbert.

It’s a destination for visitors.

“They are so incredibly pleasantly surprised about what they see in Cleveland and I don’t know if that was necessarily the case in ’97,” said Gilbert.

Curtis Danburg is the Communications director for the Indians. But back in ’97, he was an intern with the team. 

“My experience in ’97 as a low man on the totem pole, making copies and working the stat computer and now having an integral role in the planning process… I’ve been very blessed to experience two of these,” said Danburg.

Danburg says he has seen the city grow.

“I think the pride in our city is at the highest level ever,” Danburg said.

But he says there’s plenty more in store for the C-L-E.

“We get awarded the All-Star Game, and then the NFL Draft is coming to town, and then the NBA All-Star game is coming to town and the Women’s Final 4… I mean, you think about, combine all those events, and we’re talking over 300 millions of dollars coming into our economic impact,” said Danburg.