CLEVELAND (Oct. 7, 2015) – Destination Cleveland, the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) of Greater Cleveland, is pleased to announce the addition of Emily Lauer to the organization as senior director of PR/Communications.
Lauer brings to Destination Cleveland nearly 20 years of experience, specializing in marketing communications, media relations, reputation management and spokesperson training. She spent the last 15 years of her career at Fahlgren Mortine (formerly Edward Howard & Co.), one of the nation’s largest independent marketing and communications agencies. There she managed awareness and reputation-building programs and projects for both consumer and B2B clients including the Savannah College of Art and Design, Kidde, Sherwin-Williams Product Finishes, Hilton Columbus Downtown, Greater Cleveland Sports Commission/National Senior Games, House of Blues, Nokia, and Walmart.
In her role as senior director of PR/Communications, Lauer oversees and manages the team responsible for garnering media coverage across Destination Cleveland’s four core media markets: leisure, meetings/conventions, local and institutional communications. She leads the development, integration and implementation of the PR/Communication team’s strategic plan with a focus on promoting, enhancing and upholding Cleveland’s reputation and delivering on the overall brand strategy. She also acts as the primary PR lead for the Republican National Convention Cleveland 2016 Host Committee and will be the primary liaison for the Republican National Committee’s (RNC) press team.
“We are very excited to welcome Emily Lauer to the Destination Cleveland team,” said David Gilbert, president and CEO, Destination Cleveland. “Our city is in the midst of an unprecedented revitalization and the perception of who we are is changing in the minds everywhere. With Emily’s immense experience in awareness-building and reputation management, we could not be more thrilled that she is here to help us tell our story and showcase Cleveland on a national and international stage.”
“Over the course of my career, I have been extremely fortunate to work with some of the industry’s most talented, imaginative and collaborative individuals – all of whom have helped me develop my ability to strategically achieve the marketing and communications goals of our business partners,” said Emily Lauer. “I am very excited to combine my professional passion with my love for Cleveland and work
-more-
with everyone at Destination Cleveland to build on the momentum in our community.”
Lauer has earned local and national honors including the PRSA Silver Anvil Award of Excellence, PRSA Bronze Anvil Award of Commendation, Best of Show – Greater Cleveland PRSA Rocks! Awards (2012), Best of Show – Central Ohio PRSA PRism Awards (2013), and numerous Greater Cleveland PRSA Gold and Silver Rocks! Awards.
She received her Bachelor of Science in Journalism degree from Bowling Green State University and is active in the Cleveland community, having participated in the Cleveland Bridge Builders program and volunteered with City Year Cleveland, Shoes & Clothes for Kids and the Western Reserve Historical Society. She has served on the board of the Greater Cleveland Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), chaired the organization’s internship and Student Day committees, and served as a delegate to the PRSA National Assembly.
Lauer is a lifelong Clevelander currently residing in Euclid, Ohio.
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Destination Cleveland is Cleveland’s convention and visitors bureau. 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 nearly 17 million visitors annually. For more information, visit ThisisCleveland.com.