Intergenerational Summit Yields Results, Establishes Action

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 16, 2010

Media Contact

Rick Batyko

Email: rbatyko@gcpartnership.com

Phone: (216) 592-2225

INTERGENERATIONAL SUMMIT YIELDS RESULTS, ESTABLISHES ACTION

More than 100 regional leaders commit to action plan to attain solutions; Create LinkedIn page

Cleveland – Yesterday, an invitation-only group of more than 100 leaders participated in a first-of-its-kind intergenerational summit at the newly renovated Crowne Plaza
in Independence. The purpose of the summit was to blend senior and junior
leaders to identify priorities to help the region become a talent magnet and
reignite its economy.

The group, half of which were young professionals, and half experienced, senior leaders, was comprised of state, county and local politicians; presidents and senior executives from
the region’s top employers; and leaders from dozens of the region’s young
professionals’ organizations. Attendees included representatives from Brunswick
Companies, City of Cleveland, Cleveland Cavaliers, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland
Foundation, Dominion, FedEx Custom Critical, Federal Reserve Bank, First Energy
Corp., Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, Greater Cleveland RTA, Hahn Loeser,
Lubrizol, Notre Dame College, Oswald Companies, Rainbow Babies and Children’s
Hospital, Sherwin Williams, Swagelok, St. Luke’s Foundation, Team NEO, Third
Federal Bank, and Timken.

The morning session was facilitated by Molly Foley and Rebecca Ryan of Next Generation Consulting (Madison, WI.) NGC’s research has been used in Akron and Canton to assist in
retaining and attracting young professionals.

The group committed to:

·         Working across generations and being inclusive in their approach to solutions

·         Being positive about the region’s opportunities and its future. Jacinda Walker from
the City of Cleveland said, “We are tired of the negativity about this city.”
Nathan Moore, VP of AXA Advisors added, “When we hear others ‘talk trash’ about
Northeast Ohio, as leaders we will counter with something positive, to reframe
the conversation”

·         Supporting candidates for public office who share their priorities: P-16 Education Reform,
strong downtowns in our city centers, and connecting students to the region’s
opportunities

Action plans for the next 90 days were established in several key areas, and will be posted on the group’s LinkedIn group page: Northeast Ohio Young Professional Leaders.

“We’re not trying to start a new group or a new initiative,” stated Gary Shamis, managing director of SS&G and one of the meeting’s organizers. “We simply wanted to start a
new dialogue – to get both generations of leaders to the table. The morning was
very successful in achieving that.”

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