Many People are Clearly “Happy in CLE+”

DMO Awards Prizes for Show of Regional Spirit

03.11.2010 – CLEVELAND, OH – Question: What happens when an online publication creates a not-so-appealing, questionable ranking for Cleveland Plus? Answer: www.WhatTheForbes.com.

In response to an assertion that Northeast Ohioans are “miserable,” Positively Cleveland encouraged fans of the region to go to www.whattheforbes.com and share their favorite things about the region through videos, photos, blogs and comments for a chance to win three robust prize packages provided by 70 of the destination marketing organization’s hospitality and travel partners. In just three weeks, nearly 10,000 visitors to the site and as many as 1,100 tweets in a day with the hashtag “#HappyinCLE,” the convention and visitors bureau (CVB) feels the community forum was a complete success.

“The response is heartwarming. We received a total of 266 website entries that celebrated everything from our award-winning culinary scene to our family-friendly neighborhoods,” said Tamera Lash Brown, VP of Marketing for Positively Cleveland, the award-winning CVB that has been marketing Cleveland Plus to business and leisure travelers for more than three quarters of a century. “The contest also sparked some other unique responses including two t-shirt designs from local companies–Fresh Brewed Tees and C.L.E. Clothing Co.–and spontaneous live performance in our office from a citizen singing an original song showing his love for Cleveland.”

Three entrants of the contest were chosen at random to win prizes today (watch the drawing at http://bit.ly/bGfcHi). The first winner is D. Megalis of Broadview Heights who blogged about her love affair with the region saying, “It's too bad that they [Forbes.com] didn't turn their focus to the things that make Cleveland great. They would have found some of the nicest people you could ever hope to know living in this great city.”

The second winner was B. Chodroff of Cleveland who sent in a rooftop photo saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words . . . I actually love exploring the history of the buildings here as well as all the great food. Really, it's a great place to live!”

S. Owens of Medina nabbed the third prize package writing, “My husband and I moved to Miami and realized once we got there that WE LOVE CLEVELAND! We thought trading snow for sand would be a good idea, but we were wrong. Cleveland is full of great people who are kind, helpful and fun. We are back from Florida and hope that we never have to move away again! It is true that without a winter, you don't appreciate your summer!”

While the contest is over, Positively Cleveland plans to leave www.whattheforbes.com up until April 2010 as a place to share positive messages about the city and the region. The CVB will continue to use the #HappyinCLE+ tag on Twitter indefinitely to give away random opportunities to experience the region with free tickets, gifts and more. Follow @PositivelyCleve on Twitter or fan Positively Cleveland on Facebook for future contest and prize announcements.

Positively Cleveland also thanks the generous hospitality and tourism partners that contributed to the effort by giving a total of nearly $5,000 worth of prizes:

West Side Market, West Side Market Café, Melt Bar & Grilled, Maggiano’s Little Italy Beachwood, The Cleveland Independents, Campbell’s Popcorn Shop (West Side Market), La Bella Vita, Mitchell’s Fish Market, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, Hard Rock Café Cleveland, RJ Boland's Restaurant & American SaloonTable 45 at The InterContinental Hotel Cleveland, AMP 150 at The Cleveland Airport Marriott, Marengo Luxury Spa, Buckin’ Ohio’s summer bull ridings, Cleveland Indians, Lorain County Community College’s Stocker Arts Center, Western Reserve Historical Society, Mid-Ohio, Brandywine/Boston Mills, Nautica Queen, Rabbit Run Theatre, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and RainForest, Beck Center for the Arts, Cleveland Children’s Museum, Cleveland Public Theatre, Lake County Captains, Great Lakes Theater Festival, PlayhouseSquare, Akron Art Museum, "Holly"wood Christmas Movieland, Pro Football Hall of Fame, Cleveland Opera, Cleveland Museum of Art, Lolly the Trolley, Something Dada Improvisational Comedy, The Cleveland Play House, Cleveland Metroparks, Ghostly Manor, Cleveland Institute of Music, Cleveland Orchestra, Tom’s Cruz Limousine Service, RTA, Shima Limousine, Residence Inn Downtown Cleveland, Hilton Cleveland/East Beachwood, Fitzgerald’s Irish Bed &Breakfast, Hyatt Regency Cleveland at The Arcade, Embassy Suites Cleveland-Rockside, Crowne Plaza Cleveland City Centre, Courtyard by Marriott Beachwood, Red Roof Inn, , Radisson Hotel Cleveland-Gateway, Doubletree Hotel Cleveland Downtown/Lakeside, Country Acres Campground, , Holiday Inn Cleveland Airport, Cleveland Marriott East B.A. Sweetie Candy Company, The Olive & The Grape, The Only Cleveland Store, Ambiance, The Store for Lovers!, Big Fun, Crocker Park, Gray’s Auctioneers and Kent State University’s 89.7FM WKSU.

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