'People are going to fall in love with Detroit when they see it.' Organizers hope fans visiting city for NFL Draft will return

DETROIT (WWJ) -- Can a three-day event, as big as it is, change perceptions of Detroit?

That's the hope of city leaders, event organizers, and business owners as what's expected to be a few hundred thousands people descend on Downtown Detroit for the 2024 NFL Draft.

"People are gonna fall in love with Detroit when they see it develop a new perception of our city as beautiful, safe, clean, with great things to do, great bars, restaurants, a beautiful river walk, multiple great museums, award winning museums," said Chris Moyer, of Visit Detroit .

Speaking live with WWJ Newsradio 950's Jonathan Carlson on Thursday, an optimistic Moyer said he is expecting that many of these visitors will return to Detroit in the future.

"I think it's important to remember that cars wouldn't be cars, music wouldn't be music, and culture wouldn't be culture without Detroit," Moyer said. "All Detroiters, all Metro Detroiters, all Michiganders should feel an incredible sense of pride for the cultural legacy that we continue to provide the world."

Moyer told Carlson he believes the Draft experience will be a catalyst for more growth and excitement in the city.

"The City of Detroit has been making a concerted effort for the last couple of years to really focus on the beautification, not just of downtown. but the 105 neighborhoods of the City of Detroit. Because the Draft will leave on Monday, but we're all here and we're gonna get to enjoy the continued advancement and beauty of our great city," he said.

Moyer said while the Draft is expected to bring in about $160 million to the region, Visit Detroit will be monitoring the economic benefits in real time.

>> NFL Draft in Detroit: What to know about fan events, concerts, food and drinks and more