After the Plain Dealer and the Akron Beacon Journal wrote about national location experts having dinner on the 50 yard line at Browns’ Stadium, I’ve been asked a lot of questions about it, so here’s the inside scoop:
A few months ago, Team NEO’s CEO, Tom Waltermire, and I met with Browns’ President, Mike Keenan and COO, Dave Jenkins to discuss how we can work together to attract more businesses and jobs to Northeast Ohio. When Mike offered to host business location specialists on the field for dinner, I had no idea what to expect. Apparently, neither did he... Unbeknownst to us, he had never dined on the field. In fact, NO ONE had ever dined on the field....
So let me set the scene: Vast rows of orange seats surrounded the pristine green field, which smelled of fresh cut grass and newly painted yard lines. Amidst a clear blue sky, the moon faintly peeked out behind the goal posts while the sun began to set. As we walked onto the field, we could feel the soft, moist grass beneath our feet. We sat at two round tables draped in pumpkin-colored silk tablecloths, lit by soft candles and exotic blooms. A silk napkin delicately wrapped individually printed menus of our 4-course gourmet meal.
Here was the line-up:
+For our Salad, Four Carrot Slaw with Salmon Two Ways (smoked and poached) in a Pernod Shallot Vinaigrette paired with Santi Pinot Grigio
+For the Appetizer, Vanilla Seared Sea Scallop on Sweet Corn Risotto accompanied by Gary Farrell Chardonnay
+Our Entrée, Kobe Beef Steak with Horseradish and Thyme Potatoes, Grilled Baby Vegetables, Peppercorn Reduction and Point Reyes Blue Cheese paired with Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon
+And for the grand finale, our Dessert, Chocolate Truffle Cake with Toasted Almond Honey Butter served with Taylor Tawney Port
Okay – I don’t know what football games you’ve been going to, but I’ve never had stadium food like this. Apparently, this menu is available for order in the suites, so to all of you suite-holders, please, please, please take my advice and order this meal. The carrot salad refreshes your palette just before the sweet corn risotto dances in your mouth. The plump scallops soft on the tongue, while the Pinot Grigio cool on your lips, and the Kobe beef so tender it melts into the creamy potatoes on your tongue just as the peppercorn reduction and Cabernet coats your belly like a warm blanket.
Just writing about it gets me warm and fuzzy inside! Best of all, it left our site selection guests feeling the same. They left full and happy, in awe of how Cleveland Plus welcomed them to our region. They left impressed, willing and ready to connect us with clients looking to expand their businesses. Thank you to Mike Keenan and his entire organization. We had no idea what to expect – and yet, you exceeded all of our wildest dreams. You are a gem to the region and the business community.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
A Sustainble Cleveland+?
This week, Cleveland+ dreamed. This week, we dreamed about what the Cleveland Plus region could be in 2019. We envisioned a vibrant city, bustling with energized, creative people making a difference in the community and the greater world around us. We saw a beautifully elegant wind farm on Lake Erie supplying clean energy to neighboring states and countries. We imagined new curriculum in schools throughout the region, picturing students of all ages eating from green farms, learning how to build LEED-certified buildings, and studying how to produce energy more effectively.
This week, nearly 600 community leaders, business executives, academics, non-profit practitioners, engineers, communicators and students, gathered in Cleveland’s Convention Center for the 2019 Sustainability Summit to discover, dream, design, and ultimately deploy a plan that helps build an economic engine that empowers Cleveland+ to become a "Green City on a Blue Lake."
But what does “Sustainable” mean? To some, it means air purification, clean water, locally-grown organic foods and educated citizens; while for others, it is about alternative energy industries that create new jobs.
So was this Summit about becoming an environmentally friendly community or about becoming a leader in advanced energy solutions that are used to power communities worldwide? Well done, becoming a “Green City on a Blue Lake” means both.
Many studies have proven that sustainable practices make good economic sense. As Northeast Ohio’s business attraction marketer, it is clear to me that if Cleveland+ has active green policies and practices and if Cleveland Plussers live “green” lifestyles, we will become known to alternative energy companies as a hub for green jobs.
But what comes first? Teams developed prototypes in everything from Advanced Energy Research and Advanced Manufacturing/material to Vacant Land Use, Local Food, and leveraging our Water. Naturally, I participated and facilitated the conversation about Communications and Branding. First on my team’s agenda: communicate the importance of living a green lifestyle in schools and neighborhoods throughout the region. The feeling was that if Northeast Ohioans live a more “green” life, then “green jobs” will follow. My opinion? It’s “Chicken and Egg”. I’d say that if we can get more “green jobs” here, building wind turbines and solar panels, then those employees might just start changing Cleveland+ culture to one that is more "green."
So what do you think?
This week, nearly 600 community leaders, business executives, academics, non-profit practitioners, engineers, communicators and students, gathered in Cleveland’s Convention Center for the 2019 Sustainability Summit to discover, dream, design, and ultimately deploy a plan that helps build an economic engine that empowers Cleveland+ to become a "Green City on a Blue Lake."
But what does “Sustainable” mean? To some, it means air purification, clean water, locally-grown organic foods and educated citizens; while for others, it is about alternative energy industries that create new jobs.
So was this Summit about becoming an environmentally friendly community or about becoming a leader in advanced energy solutions that are used to power communities worldwide? Well done, becoming a “Green City on a Blue Lake” means both.
Many studies have proven that sustainable practices make good economic sense. As Northeast Ohio’s business attraction marketer, it is clear to me that if Cleveland+ has active green policies and practices and if Cleveland Plussers live “green” lifestyles, we will become known to alternative energy companies as a hub for green jobs.
But what comes first? Teams developed prototypes in everything from Advanced Energy Research and Advanced Manufacturing/material to Vacant Land Use, Local Food, and leveraging our Water. Naturally, I participated and facilitated the conversation about Communications and Branding. First on my team’s agenda: communicate the importance of living a green lifestyle in schools and neighborhoods throughout the region. The feeling was that if Northeast Ohioans live a more “green” life, then “green jobs” will follow. My opinion? It’s “Chicken and Egg”. I’d say that if we can get more “green jobs” here, building wind turbines and solar panels, then those employees might just start changing Cleveland+ culture to one that is more "green."
So what do you think?
Thursday, August 13, 2009
HOW CHUCK RATNER AND FOREST CITY REMIND US OF OUR PLUS SPIRIT
I had the privilege of having a small group lunch August 4 with Chuck Ratner, CEO of Forest City Enterprises. For those of you who don’t know much about Forest City, founded in 1920, today the company is an $11.7 Billion publicly-traded global real estate firm headquartered in Cleveland. Most amazing is how the company came to be – and the values it still holds today.
At lunch, I learned about how Max Ratner, Chuck’s dad, immigrated to the United States from Poland. Like many immigrants, Max was an entrepreneur. He opened a creamery, and then a lumber business. Though at first the business was retail – a pre-Home Depot, if you will, after the depression, the Ratners began buying large pieces of land in far away places like “Beachwood” and “Parma” (now well built-out suburbs 20 minutes from Cleveland). Over time, the company was able to purchase parcels of land throughout the United States, leading to their national prominence today.
The Ratners embody what is best about the Cleveland Plus region: genuine people with entrepreneurial spirit.
And Chuck is genuine. Casually dressed in a short-sleeved yellow shirt, the real estate mogul talked openly about his parents’ struggles and passionately about the need to give back to the community. Having served as the Chair of Cleveland’s United Way Campaign, Chair of the Jewish Federation, on the board of the Cleveland Orchestra and the Greater Cleveland Partnership, he says that the list is not important. It is the WORK – the progress and outcomes that better lives – that is important. He passionately spoke about Cleveland – about the company’s commitment to improving the urban core. He spoke about the need to change urban education, and demonstrated his passions as he talked about his work with the new STEM school, ePrep, and Cleveland Public Schools’ CEO, Dr. Eugene Sanders. He was open about his love of Judaism, quoting Talmudic passages that guided much of his life. Ideals of openness, honesty, integrity and community. In Judaism, there must be a “minyan” – 10 people – for public prayer; he pointed to how this law reminds us of the need for community. The idea that we are better together.
This of course is the idea of Team NEO – working together as one region to attract businesses. The fact that collectively we can do more than any one city or county can do on its own. That collaboratively, we have better ideas and more opportunities.
Chuck Ratner is one of Northeast Ohio’s best Plusses. He reminds us that the ideals of our region’s founders still run deep in our blood today. And those virtues – that entrepreneurial spirit and goodness of the heart – is what is making progress for Northeast Ohio’s future.
Ps – the lunch was a program of the Young Leadership Division of the Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland for Ben Gurion Society members
For more about Team NEO and the Cleveland Plus region, visit www.clevelandplusbusiness.com
At lunch, I learned about how Max Ratner, Chuck’s dad, immigrated to the United States from Poland. Like many immigrants, Max was an entrepreneur. He opened a creamery, and then a lumber business. Though at first the business was retail – a pre-Home Depot, if you will, after the depression, the Ratners began buying large pieces of land in far away places like “Beachwood” and “Parma” (now well built-out suburbs 20 minutes from Cleveland). Over time, the company was able to purchase parcels of land throughout the United States, leading to their national prominence today.
The Ratners embody what is best about the Cleveland Plus region: genuine people with entrepreneurial spirit.
And Chuck is genuine. Casually dressed in a short-sleeved yellow shirt, the real estate mogul talked openly about his parents’ struggles and passionately about the need to give back to the community. Having served as the Chair of Cleveland’s United Way Campaign, Chair of the Jewish Federation, on the board of the Cleveland Orchestra and the Greater Cleveland Partnership, he says that the list is not important. It is the WORK – the progress and outcomes that better lives – that is important. He passionately spoke about Cleveland – about the company’s commitment to improving the urban core. He spoke about the need to change urban education, and demonstrated his passions as he talked about his work with the new STEM school, ePrep, and Cleveland Public Schools’ CEO, Dr. Eugene Sanders. He was open about his love of Judaism, quoting Talmudic passages that guided much of his life. Ideals of openness, honesty, integrity and community. In Judaism, there must be a “minyan” – 10 people – for public prayer; he pointed to how this law reminds us of the need for community. The idea that we are better together.
This of course is the idea of Team NEO – working together as one region to attract businesses. The fact that collectively we can do more than any one city or county can do on its own. That collaboratively, we have better ideas and more opportunities.
Chuck Ratner is one of Northeast Ohio’s best Plusses. He reminds us that the ideals of our region’s founders still run deep in our blood today. And those virtues – that entrepreneurial spirit and goodness of the heart – is what is making progress for Northeast Ohio’s future.
Ps – the lunch was a program of the Young Leadership Division of the Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland for Ben Gurion Society members
For more about Team NEO and the Cleveland Plus region, visit www.clevelandplusbusiness.com
An Introduction
I moved to Cleveland 6 years ago and in that time, I’ve become the region’s biggest cheerleader. Literally. As the Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Team Northeast Ohio, Team NEO, it is my job to promote the region’s business assets and opportunities to bring more jobs to the region.
We sell the region as “Cleveland Plus” because regardless of the nation’s economic challenges right now, there are so many plusses in the 16 counties of Northeast Ohio.
Yes – there IS so much opportunity! An exploding biomedical industry that is growing faster than the US average, a growing Scientific Research and Development Sector that has doubled US growth, the nation’s fourth largest per capita share of Headquarters employment. And some of the world’s best-known cultural institutions, hospitals, chefs and neighborhoods! Where else do dozens of Pro Football Hall of Famers like Madden and Aikman visit annually, Rockers display their cherished relics, an Iron Chef cooks up a reasonably priced meal and regular people like you and me can easily go boating on a beautiful summer day?
I’m not making this stuff up. These are the facts - it’s just time that we spread the word. To do so, I speak to dozens of regional businesses, chambers of commerce, trade organizations and clubs annually about Northeast Ohio’s opportunities for economic growth and how to engage in the efforts to advance Northeast Ohio’s economy. And every time I do, Northeast Ohioans tell me that they're hungry for more POSITIVE news. We want to hear it on the news, read about it in the paper, and talk about it with our friends. So here it is. Let’s do it, Northeast Ohio. Let’s start knowing the positives, and spreading them. Let's be part of the solution.
Often, people call me the “Cleveland Plus Cheerleader” – so why not make use of that? In this blog, I’ll share with you all of the Plusses I experience – from our economic highlights to our region’s great cultural assets that Team NEO leverages to sell the region. You’ll get to journey with me to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction, the Bridgestone Invitational, into the Rock Hall Vault and learn with me about the region’s economy and growing sectors. All I ask is that you share the plus, that you help sell the plus and most of all, that you be the plus you want to see every day!
Welcome to Rockin’ the Plus! It’s going to be a wild ride!
We sell the region as “Cleveland Plus” because regardless of the nation’s economic challenges right now, there are so many plusses in the 16 counties of Northeast Ohio.
Yes – there IS so much opportunity! An exploding biomedical industry that is growing faster than the US average, a growing Scientific Research and Development Sector that has doubled US growth, the nation’s fourth largest per capita share of Headquarters employment. And some of the world’s best-known cultural institutions, hospitals, chefs and neighborhoods! Where else do dozens of Pro Football Hall of Famers like Madden and Aikman visit annually, Rockers display their cherished relics, an Iron Chef cooks up a reasonably priced meal and regular people like you and me can easily go boating on a beautiful summer day?
I’m not making this stuff up. These are the facts - it’s just time that we spread the word. To do so, I speak to dozens of regional businesses, chambers of commerce, trade organizations and clubs annually about Northeast Ohio’s opportunities for economic growth and how to engage in the efforts to advance Northeast Ohio’s economy. And every time I do, Northeast Ohioans tell me that they're hungry for more POSITIVE news. We want to hear it on the news, read about it in the paper, and talk about it with our friends. So here it is. Let’s do it, Northeast Ohio. Let’s start knowing the positives, and spreading them. Let's be part of the solution.
Often, people call me the “Cleveland Plus Cheerleader” – so why not make use of that? In this blog, I’ll share with you all of the Plusses I experience – from our economic highlights to our region’s great cultural assets that Team NEO leverages to sell the region. You’ll get to journey with me to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction, the Bridgestone Invitational, into the Rock Hall Vault and learn with me about the region’s economy and growing sectors. All I ask is that you share the plus, that you help sell the plus and most of all, that you be the plus you want to see every day!
Welcome to Rockin’ the Plus! It’s going to be a wild ride!
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