Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland Debuts Lactation Suites for Nursing Moms
March 30, 2017
Nursing mothers now have a couple of private sanctuaries to retreat to when attending conventions and meetings at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland.
The SMG-managed facility has installed two portable lactation suites for female attendees and exhibitors wishing to breast feed their infants or use breast pumps in privacy.
“We are offering the new lactation suites during conventions, meetings, and trade shows to offer comfort and convenience for our guests,” said Mark J. Leahy, general manager of the HCCC.
He continued, “Young mothers have had to utilize public restroom spaces or find a private space in the Convention Center, which is often difficult during a large convention or trade show with thousands of attendees and exhibitors. The new lactation suites create a private place within a public environment, enhancing our amenities for women and families.”
Created by Mamava, a Vermont-based company that designs solutions for nursing mothers on the go, the portable lactation suites are self-contained mobile pods that include benches, an electrical outlet and a door that can be locked for privacy.
Measuring 4 x 8 feet, the suites are designed for one person at a time but also provide enough space to simultaneously hold mom, infant, breast pumps and luggage.
New mom Brittany Wire Gloer, director of supplier relationship solutions at PartsSource was thrilled to have access to the lactation stations while attending the UBM Advanced Design in Manufacturing Expo at the HCCC.
“I was concerned about what I was going to do when I got to the conference, so I called the convention center ahead of time to find out if they had a private area where I could nurse and was told they had recently installed a couple of dedicated areas,” Gloer said.
She added, “I was pleasantly surprised by the lactation pods and how private and clean they were. I wish every convention center had this type of convenience for nursing moms.”
The two suites are positioned near the entrance to Exhibit Hall C and on the concourse level near Meeting Room 1, as well as at the Global Center Atrium escalator landing and the entrance to Exhibit Hall A.
As the first wave of convention centers to incorporate such spaces, the HCCC is the second SMG facility to install lactation suites, preceded by the Philadelphia Convention Center, which introduced one in late 2015.
“Until now, women have often had to pump milk in the bathroom while they are away from their babies working a trade show or attending conferences if the show planners haven’t designated a space,” explained Sascha Mayer, co-founder of Mamava.
She added, “We believe that all mamas deserve a private, clean and comfortable place to use a breast pump or breastfeed – anywhere, anytime. Mamava pods provide flexibility for facilities and easy access for moms.”
Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact
Add new comment