Wed 2/24 @ 4:30 PM
Accelerate is the kick-off event celebrating Cleveland Leadership Center’s (CLC) 10th anniversary year.
The event is open to everyone in Cleveland. If you’re interesting in hearing how a small group of civic visionaries are looking to make a big impact and want to be inspired about Cleveland’s future, Accelerate is the place to be on Wed 2/24 at 4:30 PM.
“It is a transformative experience,” says Marianne Crosley, president and CEO at CLC.
“Accelerate 2016 is a way to strengthen our city by empowering individual citizens with great ideas to improve our community,” says Joe DiRocco, Accelerate 2016 co-chair and president of Citizens Bank. “It creates opportunities for presenters to connect not just with financial resources, but with civic leaders who can help them make things happen. It’s a way to serve and advance the community, which are core values of both Citizens Bank and CLC.”
Last year’s inaugural Accelerate launched with 25 creative pitches, many of which have been implemented and already are making a difference.
“Attendees should expect an event like no other they’ve attended, unless they were at Accelerate last year,” states Marianne. “People will be inspired by the ideas they hear and energized by the passions of those presenting. The 25 individuals making pitches are from all walks of life, span several generations and live throughout Northeast Ohio. They all share a commitment to improving our community through innovative ideas; including using arts to transform a distressed neighborhood, creating an immersive theatrical event, helping victims of violence, and empowering those returning to the workforce to pursue STEM careers.”
The Cleveland Leadership Center is all about connecting, inspiring and challenging Cleveland’s leaders across a continuum of ages and stages of life and career, all to make a positive community impact.
“We hope attendees are excited by the creative ideas to improve the city, energized by what the future of Cleveland holds, motivated to find a way to support the presenters and inspired to accelerate Cleveland’s momentum in other ways,” concludes Marianne.
Attendees will select the overall winner of the competition. After the five finalists present their pitches, an audience vote will determine the $5,000 winner. Each of the four runners-up receives $2,000.
Buy your tickets today for Accelerate 2016. Tickets are $20 for students, $35 general admission, or $30 if you’re a CLC partner.
4:30 PM – Civic pitch competition in five categories
5:30 PM – Networking and entertainment including the St. Ignatius High School Circus Company and St. Edward High School Trash Talkers
6:00 PM – Finalists competition, presentation to audience, votes by cell phone for winner and awards
7:00 PM – Awards reception
Cleveland, OH 44114