CLEVELAND (March 12, 2019) –
Destination Cleveland, Cleveland’s destination marketing and management organization, announced the recipients of its Hospitality Star and Cleveland Champions awards today at its 2019 annual meeting. The honors are presented annually to Northeast Ohio residents who go above and beyond to positively change the perception of Cleveland as a destination for meetings and conventions as well as leisure travel.
“Research shows that residents of a destination play an important role in creating a positive experience throughout a leisure or business traveler’s visit,” said David Gilbert, president and CEO, Destination Cleveland. “By taking an active role in Northeast Ohio’s travel and tourism industry, residents also contribute to changing the narrative about Cleveland and could potentially influence a visitor’s decision to return to the region – as a visitor or even as a resident.”
HOSPITALITY STAR AWARD
The
Hospitality Star Award, which is given to a frontline staff member who is recognized by his or her peers as going above and beyond to provide excellent customer service and true hospitality to Cleveland visitors, was awarded to Carl Dowdell, shuttle driver at the DoubleTree by Hilton Cleveland Downtown Lakeside.
Nominated by the hotel’s assistant general manager, Dowdell “never misses a beat when it comes to making guests feel welcomed.” He is viewed by hotel management as an elite team member, particularly given his perfect attendance. Dowdell gets to know most of the hotel’s guests during their stays as he transports many of them to local businesses, attractions and restaurants. He also provides transportation to Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals and Cleveland VA Medical Center for patients and their family members. One example of Dowdell’s exceptional work was when he transported a guest from Cleveland Clinic to the hotel after she experienced the tragic loss of a family member. He took the time to listen to her story and give her comforting words during a very difficult time. Dowdell's co-worker said, “this particular example of Carl's passion for hospitality shows me that not only does he love this industry but that he truly cares for people.”
Those eligible for the Hospitality Star nomination include anyone that interacts with a visitor during their stay, such as volunteers and staff at hotels, restaurants, attractions, transportation authorities, the airport, taxi cab companies, ride services and more. Past winners and the description of their superior service can be viewed
here.
CLEVELAND CHAMPIONS AWARD
The
Cleveland Champions Award, which recognizes an individual for his or her effort to bring meetings and conventions to Cleveland, was awarded to Lt. Charles LoBello, 2
nd Vice President of the Ohio State Chapter of the FBI National Academy Associates, Inc., and Sgt. David Tomcho, 3
rd Vice President of the Ohio State Chapter of the FBI National Academy Associates, Inc.
Lobello and Tomcho played pivotal roles in bringing the FBI National Academy Associates’ Annual Conference to Cleveland. Members of the FBI National Academy Associates represent the highest one percent of all senior law enforcement in the world. These Cleveland-area officers took the initiative to collaborate with the state chapter and were a part of the core team that presented the Cleveland bid to the National Board of the FBI National Academy Associates in Quantico, VA. As a result of Lobello’s and Tomcho’s effort and collaboration with Destination Cleveland, the National Board awarded the conference to Cleveland the same day as the presentation. Lobello and Tomcho are leading the required fundraising to support this group’s meeting in Northeast Ohio in the summer of 2022, and they will be organizing special events while the group is here. The FBI National Academy Associates’ Annual Conference will bring approximately 2,000 attendees with nearly 5,500 total room nights. The meeting is projected to generate an estimated economic impact of more than $2 million.
Destination Cleveland's current list of Cleveland Champions ranges from local CEOs to young professionals that have been able to keep their company's meetings and events in Cleveland. For more information about the program and the critical role local influencers play in Cleveland's meetings and conventions industry, click
here.
To learn more about Destination Cleveland or to keep up-to-date on new developments and activities in Northeast Ohio, please visit
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ABOUT DESTINATION CLEVELAND: Destination Cleveland is Cleveland’s destination marketing and management organization. This private, non-profit organization’s mission is to drive economic impact and stimulate community vitality for Greater Cleveland through leisure and business travel. Cleveland welcomes 18.5 million visitors annually. For more information, visit www.thisiscleveland.com.