Northeast Ohio native Suzanne Conway brings experience back home to run Cain Park

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio — It all started at Cain Park for Suzanne Conway, who will now be returning to the historic amphitheater as its general manager.

City officials announced her hiring Friday (Jan. 16) with Conway starting next month at the oldest operating municipally-owned performing arts venue in the country.

Conway stated in a city press release that she looks forward to “returning to Cain Park, where I began my career all the way back in 1999, and where I first fell in love with live venue entertainment.”

A Northeast Ohio native, Conway brings a wealth of experience back home, having worked in recent years for the country’s largest music venue operator, the House of Blues (HOB).

She has served as general manager at HOB Chicago and San Diego, as well as Director of Music Hall Operations for HOB Dallas.

Conway actually started in 2018 as the assistant general manager for HOB’s operation of Masonic Cleveland.

“After the incredible opportunities I’ve had to grow and do what I love all over the world, I am beyond proud to come home to Cain Park,” she added.

“I cannot wait to bring the best, most diverse live entertainment to Cleveland Heights.”

Her resume also includes early stints in patron services for Great Lakes Theater and a position at Cain Park as Assistant Operations Manager.

Conway then branched into tour management for David Copperfield, film festival operations for Sundance, and managing theater companies at The Old Globe in San Diego.

“She returned for a second tour of duty at Cain Park as Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator,” the city press release noted, adding that her experience has not been limited to the entertainment industry.

“Ms. Conway also counts race director for Susan G. Komen Northeast Ohio, as well as community development manager for the American Cancer Society’s Greater Cleveland Chapter among her career accomplishments,” city officials added.

As she steps into her role operating the entertainment complex at Cain Park, it will look like more of a renaissance than ever.

“Conway’s taking the helm at Cain Park comes at a time of great opportunity, driven in part by the city’s investment of over $5 million in infrastructure improvements,” largely through post-pandemic federal grants, officials said.

The overhaul included seat replacements in the theater and amphitheater, upgrading the audio/visual system, completely renovating the artist and administration building, pavilion roof repairs and adding new lighting on paths and throughout the park.

“In addition, the city built amphitheater-style seating and improved ADA access to the park on its South Taylor end where reinvestment in the Cain Park Village plan continues,” the press release stated.

The work includes restoration of the Taylor Tudor buildings, a $25 million renovation of a mixed-use space near the park.

“We’re truly excited to welcome Suzanne Conway to manage Cain Park. She will arrive at a very exciting time for the city,” Cleveland Heights Mayor Jim Petras said.

Petras added that with unanimous approval from City Council, Cain Park’s 2026 production budget was doubled and the decision was made to elevate Cain Park to its own city department in the near future.

“We were so impressed with her appreciation and reverence for Cain Park as a venue and as a community asset.”

Her salary has also been bumped up to a pay range in line with the city’s communications chief and parks and recreation director.

To learn more, log on to cainpark.com.

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