PURPOSE The Spirit of Cleveland is a nonprofit subsidiary of Positively Cleveland. Created in 1996, its primary purpose is to engage in the creation, coordination, development and operation of a job service training curriculum and program for the hospitality and tourism industries.
Spirit of Cleveland also helps inform the public of the many assets of Cleveland Plus and provides arts and cultural events, organizations and institutions with training and resources to help them advance their marketing efforts.
PROGRAMS Since it began, the Spirit of Cleveland has advanced the cause of the Cleveland hospitality industry by giving its support to:
a 10-week training program for entry level workers
employment placement
supportive services and career counseling
college credits to program graduates
college scholarships
customer service training for those already in the industry
In addition to the convention and visitors bureau, current and past partners of the Spirit of Cleveland include:
Cuyahoga Community College
Urban League of Greater Cleveland
Cleveland Foundation
Gund Foundation
FUTURE EFFORTS To date, the Cleveland hospitality industry employs some 60,000 people in jobs ranging from taxicab drivers to hotel general managers. In anticipation of future growth, the hospitality industry must continue to educate, train and inform.
In the upcoming months and years, Spirit of Cleveland will focus on:
Education – Spirit of Cleveland is continuing to work with educational institutions that provide accredited programs in the hospitality, travel and tourism industries. Support from the Spirit of Cleveland can include financial assistance and/or internships with Positively Cleveland or industry partners targeting disadvantaged or minority students.
Workforce Training – Spirit of Cleveland is involved with researching hospitality training programs designed to strengthen the customer service skills of those currently employed. Instituting a program like The Customer Service Program inspires frontline hospitality employees and volunteers to work together to turn every visitor encounter into a positive, memorable experience. Spirit of Cleveland is continuing a quarterly concierge program focused on providing useful information to downtown hotel ambassadors on upcoming events and conventions. In 2008, Spirit of Cleveland would like to replicate this outreach with a similar program for taxicab operators.
Visitor Information – In June 2007, Positively Cleveland opened a new 3,500 square foot Visitors Center. This is the first time in the history of the bureau that there has been a space dedicated solely to marketing and promoting the travel and tourism industry. The Visitors Center is staffed with knowledgeable Information Specialists who assist guests searching for things to do and see. Spirit of Cleveland worked in conjunction with the Hospitality Management Program of Cuyahoga Community College to recruit students for employment with Positively Cleveland’s Visitors Center. Located on Public Square, the Visitors Center is a key component to providing a great visitor experience.
CONSTITUENTS Constituents range from frontline employees at hotels, restaurants and attractions, to retailers, transportation specialists (taxi, charter busses), managers at retail stores and special event planners. Programs and outreach are designed to meet their needs and concerns. Spirit of Cleveland funding enables most of these programs to be offered at little or no cost to participants.
OPERATIONS The Spirit of Cleveland is primarily funded through Positively Cleveland’s Annual Golf Outing. The Visitors Center is staffed with two full-time supervisors and three (3) part- time employees. All Spirit of Cleveland programs, marketing and public relations efforts are managed through Positively Cleveland.
GOVERNANCE As a 501c3, the Spirit of Cleveland is a non-profit subsidiary of Positively Cleveland. The Spirit of Cleveland Board of Directors consists of board members and staff from Positively Cleveland. Dennis Roche, President of Positively Cleveland, also serves as Spirit of Cleveland’s Executive Director. Spirit of Cleveland’s Board meets quarterly in order to establish strategy and to gauge progress/effectiveness of programs in place.
Visitor Information – In June 2007, Positively Cleveland opened a new 3,500 square foot Visitors Center. This is the first time in the history of the bureau that there has been a space dedicated solely to marketing and promoting the travel and tourism industry. The Visitors Center is staffed with knowledgeable Information Specialists who assist guests searching for things to do and see. Spirit of Cleveland worked in conjunction with the Hospitality Management Program of Cuyahoga Community College to recruit students for employment with Positively Cleveland’s Visitors Center. Located on Public Square, the Visitors Center is a key component to providing a great visitor experience. 
OPERATIONS
