Cleveland is “Positively” Capable of its Own Promotion, Thanks.

Ever since I started classes at Kent State in 2008, one thing in particular has loomed over my head.  Each and every time I’m reminded of the PR internship requirement, I begin doubting myself and my capabilities as a

Internships: Key to Success Source: Google

budding PR professional.  But, that’s a whole other topic.  What I have been forced to think about is where I’m going to do this internship at.  Knowing I want to end up in corporate PR, but also wanting to dabble in agency work for the experience, I’m always keeping my ears perked for what’s out there in Cleveland.

That said, I’m occasionally checking in on Positively Cleveland, the city’s cleverly-named convention and visitors bureau.  Positively Cleveland uses PR and marketing to promote the entire NEO region to convention and meeting planners, as well as leisure tourists.

A big misconception is that Positively Cleveland only brings conventions to the convention center (our new

Source: Google

convention center and medical mart is beginning construction this fall).  Positively Cleveland also brings in meetings, tradeshows and yes, conferences, to outside venues like hotels and the I-X Center and they also help facilitate them- many times free of charge.  Here’s my favorite statistic about Positively Cleveland: For every $1 they spend selling meetings and conventions, they return $105 to the community.

I love this group- and I’m all for what their doing.  They’ve got a nice budget -5.3 million- and while it sounds like a lot (because it is a lot), I’m all for the ROI.  Bravo to the 36 employees who work there.  Boo-hoo to the sour-pusses at Scene Magazine who have to rain on everyone’s parade (more on why in a minute).  Now, don’t get me wrong, I love Cleveland’s only alternative weekly that can be found everywhere from street corner stands on W.117 to the rack next to the “Free Apartment Guide” at your local watering hole.  I “get” that you’re journalists,you play devils’ advocate, and your severely underpaid.  As someone who makes, well, let’s just say not a lot of money (yet), I get a little green with envy too when I see the salaries (it’s public record) of the people at Positively Cleveland.

Scene ran an article in this week’s edition about the possibility that Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. (MMPI), the Chicago company that will build and run Cleveland’s new convention center, may take over the operations of

Cleveland's Current Convention Center Source: Google

Positively Cleveland as well.  So, not only would the publicly-funded revenue stream be redirected to MMPI, but so would all the functions (and jobs) of Positively Cleveland.

This is unfortunate on many fronts, and in my opinion, the largest being that since MMPI’s role is to mainly promote the convention center, many of the other promotions that Positively Cleveland currently does would simply be cut.  Right now, promoting the current and future convention center is only about 10 percent of what Positively Cleveland does.

I already feel that the building and running of the new convention center should have been contracted to a Cleveland firm.  Why is it that city commissioners want to now dump more millions of dollars into the lap of MMPI?!  Who knows their city the best- someone who lives and works here, or someone based six hours away on Michigan Avenue?

Scene, hats off to you investigative journalism.  Solid points made with an undertone that could only be delivered by an alternative publication.  But here’s my gripe: why are you bringing up salaries?  It seems this is always the drive-home point: salaries are public information (which no doubt they should be), and yes, it makes sense when bringing up the point that MMPI, as a private company, would not have to disclose their spending.  But in my opinion, listing the salaries of the folks at Positively Cleveland makes it seem your against them.  Maybe as Clevelanders, you should re-think that.

So, on that note, I wonder if Positively Cleveland offers paid internships.  I’m guessing Scene Magazine does not.

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