Positively Cleveland an Industry Leader

Tradeshow Week Recognizes Dennis J. Roche as One of the Top CVB Executives

07.27.2009 – CLEVELAND, OH - In Tradeshow Week''s July 27th issue, the editors of a publication serving the global exhibition industry for more than 35 years recognized 16 "smart, hard-working convention and visitors bureau executives dealing with unique challenges and opportunities." Among the profiled individuals is Dennis J. Roche, six-year president of Positively Cleveland.

Roche receives kudos for taking on the challenge of marketing a city that had been hit hard by the 2001 recession, reinvigorating the destination marketing association (DMO), supporting Mayor Frank Jackson''s business outreach efforts and advocating on behalf of the hospitality industry for the medical mart/convention center project which will result in a permanent, state-of-the-art medical products showroom and a new 300,000 square foot convention center.

Roche is in good company with many heads of larger and higher profile DMOs like Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau, LA Inc., Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority, Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau and Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau being included on the list of "CVB executives who have during the past few years excelled at their jobs, bringing unique gifts to sometimes very idiosyncratic circumstances."

Roche became president of Cleveland’s DMO in 2003. Since then, Roche has instigated some big changes. First, after much research, the bureau, along with TeamNEO and Greater Cleveland Partnership, launched a new regional brand-Cleveland Plus. Then the organization opened a highly visible Visitors Center on Public Square. Next, following an industry trend, the Convention and Visitors Bureau of Greater Cleveland adopted a shorter, more memorable moniker that complemented the Cleveland Plus initiative, Positively Cleveland. And, under Roche’s leadership, Positively Cleveland was among the first DMOs accredited by Destination Marketing Association International.

Prior to his position with Positively Cleveland, Roche was Chief Operating Officer for the Greater Cleveland Growth Association. Roche also served as Assistant General Manager for Finance and Administration at the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority, and as Director of the Office of Budget and Management for Cuyahoga County. He designed and implemented Cuyahoga County’s current budget process and his plans won three national awards for excellence.

A graduate of St. Edward High School and a three-time graduate of Cleveland State University, Dennis has strong ties to the Cleveland community. He has served as Chairman of the boards of Lakewood Hospital and the Citizens League Research Institute. He is currently a Trustee of the boards of Park Works, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, the Cleveland National Air Show, the Greater Cleveland Film Commission and the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission. He also serves on the Board of Directors at Medical Mutual of Ohio and is a member of the Visiting Committees for the College of Education & Human Services and the Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University.

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Positively Cleveland is an award-winning, DMAI-accredited destination marketing organization. In addition to Tradeshow Week recognizing president Dennis Roche as one of the top CVB leaders in the nation, Positively Cleveland also earned the 2009 Facilities & Destinations’ “Top Destination” award, Corporate and Incentive Travel magazine’s “Award of Excellence for Outstanding Service to the Meetings and Incentive Travel Industry,” Successful Meetings’ prestigious Pinnacle Award (for the 18th year in a row) and a 2009 Meetings & Conventions “Gold Service Award.”

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News Facts

Nearly 14 million business and leisure tourists visit Cuyahoga County each year.
In 2007, Cuyahoga Countyâ€™s tourism industry generated $888 million in tax receipts and fees; $456 million of which were state and local.
All three members of Positively Cleveland's Convention Services team have earned their Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation from the Convention Industry Council (CIC).
Hospitality is the fourth largest employer in Cuyahoga County.
Tourism generated some $6.4 billion in direct and indirect spending for Cuyahoga County in 2007.

Resource Links: 2008 Positively Cleveland Annual Report; Positively Cleveland's Meetings Website; Positively Cleveland's Tourism Website; Tradeshow Week's Top CVB Execs

Tags: Dennis J. Roche, Positively Cleveland, DMO, CVB, Cleveland Plus, Cleveland, Ohio

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Dennis J. Roche, President, Positively Cleveland

Positively Cleveland - Positively Cleveland, the convention and visitors bureau, has been promoting business and leisure tourism to Cleveland Plus for 75 years.

Positively Cleveland, the convention and visitors bureau, has been promoting business and leisure tourism to Cleveland Plus for 75 years.

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