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In Cleveland, we’ve got world-class experiences without the world-class ego. And for that, you’re welcome.
Here in Cleveland, we’ve got beef cheek in our pierogi, truffles on our hot dogs and beer in our donuts. Balance.
Whether you’re into the thread count of your linens or just a place to crash for the night, we’ve got a hotel room with your name all over it.
You know those places only the locals know? Let our experts help you find them with free maps, itineraries and insider tips.
History hasn't always been easy on us. But pressure can create diamonds. Come check out our gems.
David Gilbert President & CEO
David Gilbert took over the top spot at Destination Cleveland, the region’s convention and visitors bureau, in 2011. He simultaneously serves as president and CEO of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, which pursues amateur athletic events. From April 2015 through December 2016, Gilbert also served as the president and CEO of the Cleveland 2016 Host Committee for the Republican National Convention.
Gilbert earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing from The Ohio State University and an M.B.A. from Cleveland State University.
Earlier in his career, Gilbert helped plan and market Cleveland’s lakefront district as executive director of North Coast Harbor, Inc. He also worked as director of corporate development for The Cleveland Play House. During an earlier stint at the visitors bureau, Gilbert developed two new, full-service visitor information centers and a nationally recognized welfare-to-work, hospitality career training program.
Gilbert serves as vice president on the board of the International Children’s Games, based in Lausanne, Switzerland, and sits of the boards of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Greater Cleveland Film Commission, and the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage. He was named by Crain’s Cleveland Business as one of Cleveland’s “30 Influencers of the Past 30 Years,” Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year and, in 2016, he received the SME Cleveland Business Executive of the Year Award.
When not busy extolling the virtues of Cleveland, Gilbert likes to travel, train for marathons and hang out with his family.
Hannah Belsito Chief Experience Officer
At Destination Cleveland, Hannah Belsito leads the team focused on enhancing the visitor experience and improving the destination through place-making and programming, while also leading the organization's strategic initiatives and community affairs. She joined the team at Destination Cleveland in 2011. Belsito holds a master's degree in urban planning, design & development from Cleveland State University and a bachelor's degree in communications from John Carroll University.
With nearly 20 years of experience across a variety of sectors, Belsito has worked for the Cleveland Leadership Center, The Cleveland Foundation, Association Estate Realty Corporation, KeyBank, Falls Communication, Clear Channel Communications, Playhouse Square and the Cleveland & Dayton International Air Shows. Belsito finds value in giving back to the community through civic engagement. She currently serves as vice chair of The Cleveland Restoration Society's Board of Trustees and is part of LakewoodAlive's Design Review Committee. She lives in Lakewood with her husband and two children.
Colette Jones Chief Marketing Officer
Colette Jones joined Destination Cleveland in 2012 as the Vice President of Marketing & Communications. In this role, she oversees integrated marketing campaigns, advertising, brand strategy, digital marketing, social media, visitor publications, public relations/communications and market research. She came to Destination Cleveland after working as an independent brand strategy consultant for small, local businesses. In addition to her consulting experience, Jones has 15 years of combined brand management/sales experience working for companies such as KeyBank; ConAgra Foods, Inc.; and the Wm. Wrigley Jr., Co. Born in Shaker Heights, Jones earned a bachelor’s degree in communications education from Miami University in Oxford, OH, and an M.B.A. in marketing from The Ohio State University. She sits on the LAND Studio Board of Trustees, Karamu House Board of Directors, Expedia Select Media Partner Board and the Campus International Advisory Board.
Gordon Taylor Vice President of Convention Sales & Services
Jennifer Valencic Vice President of Destination Engagement
Jennifer Valencic joined Destination Cleveland in 2013 and is currently charged with overseeing a team charged with recruiting partners and spotting synergistic opportunities in the Greater Cleveland community. In 2014, Valencic was selected as one of Destination Marketing Association International's "30 Under 30." Before joining the organization, she was Program Manager for Junior Achievement of Greater Cleveland and now volunteers to teach the program annually. In addition, Valencic spends her time as a mentor through Cleveland State University's program connecting students with career professionals. Since 2013, she's been an active member of "Key to the Cure," an event supporting women's cancer research at the Cleveland Clinic. Valencic, who earned her B.A. in journalism and communications from Ohio University, lives in Avon with her husband and two daughters.
Jon Pinney Chairman Managing Partner Kohrman, Jackson and Krantz
Julie Boland Vice Chair Office Managing Partner EY
Baiju Shah Treasurer Managing Director Accelevate Ventures
Ann Zoller Secretary Senior Advisor Strategy Design Partners
Teri Agosta General Manager Hilton Cleveland Downtown
Bruce Akers Former Mayor City of Pepper Pike
Justin Bibb Chief Strategy Officer Urbanova
Akram Boutros President & CEO The MetroHealth System
Micki Byrnes General Manager WKYC-TV
Robert Falls President & CEO Falls Communications
Adam Fishman Managing Partner Fairmount Properties
Greg Harris President & CEO Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
David Heller President & CEO The NRP Group LLC
Michael Jeans President & CEO Growth Opportunity Partners, Inc.
JW Johnson Executive Vice President Cleveland Browns
Nathan Kelly President & Managing Director Cushman & Wakefield | CRESCO Real Estate
Ron King General Manager Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland
Brenda Kirk CIO, Commercial Bank and Enterprise Payments KeyBank
Len Komoroski CEO Cleveland Cavaliers & Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
Joe Kubic President The Adcom Group
Paul Matsen Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Cleveland Clinic
Valarie McCall Chief of Government & International Affairs City of Cleveland
Randy McShepard Vice President of Public Affairs and Chief Talent Officer RPM International, Inc.
Tim Meyer General Manager The Westin Cleveland Downtown
Kathy Mulcahy Mayor Orange Village
Hartmut Ott General Manager Cleveland Downtown Marriott at Key Center
India Pierce Lee Senior Vice President - Program Cleveland Foundation
Kim Riley President Hylant Cleveland
Shawn Riley President McDonald Hopkins
Chris Ronayne President University Circle Incorporated
Harlan Sands President Cleveland State University
Jason Therrien President thunder::tech
Julie Tutkovics Chief Marketing & Communications Officer Huntington National Bank
Gina Vernaci President & CEO Playhouse Square
Daniel Walsh Jr. CEO Citymark Capital
Brian Zimmerman Chief Executive Officer Cleveland MetroParks