Destination Cleveland Announces Volunteer Program

CLEVELAND (Dec. 27, 2017) - Destination Cleveland now offers area residents expanded opportunities to share their hometown hospitality and enhance both leisure and business visitors' experiences through its newly launched volunteer program.

As a volunteer, locals can choose to help during a meeting or convention that is taking place in the city. A few of the volunteer positions include:

• Welcoming attendees when they step off their airplane at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and providing information on transportation and the city
• Greeting meeting attendees at hotels and offering them recommendations for things to do during their stay
• Serving as wayfinders for convention attendees, giving directional help and answering questions for visitors in Downtown Cleveland.

In addition to volunteering during meetings and conventions, residents have the opportunity to provide a positive Cleveland experience by:

• Participating at pop-up welcome parties that greet groups of visitors at locations around Cleveland
• Taking photos for visitors at one of the five iconic Cleveland Script signs
• Assisting guests to the Cleveland Visitors Center with directions and recommendations

"As the number of visitors to our region continues to grow, especially as a result of increased hosting of meetings and conventions, volunteers will play a critical role in creating a positive perception of Northeast Ohio in the minds of visitors," said Mike Burns, senior vice president of convention sales and services at Destination Cleveland. "As we saw during the Republican National Convention, our residents are excellent sources for not only directional guidance but recommendations for travelers on how to experience Cleveland like a local. Destination Cleveland hopes to showcase that authentic Cleveland hospitality and hometown passion through the involvement of our volunteers."

Those who are interested in participating in the volunteer program should visit thisiscleveland.com/volunteer to sign up.

All residents who register to volunteer are required to attend an orientation session. The first training session will be offered on Wednesday, Jan. 31 from noon - 2 p.m. at the Cuyahoga Community College Metro Campus Advanced Technology Training Center (3409 Woodland Ave., Cleveland). Check in begins at 11:30 a.m., and free parking is included. For those who are unable to attend this orientation, dates for additional training sessions will be provided throughout the year.

To learn more about Destination Cleveland or to keep up-to-date on new developments and activities in Northeast Ohio, please visit www.thisiscleveland.com, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to our channels on YouTube and Pinterest.

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