Cool Cleveland and CSU Throw Party of the Future
Party in Art Deco Splendor on 4/22 and Help Define the Future of Cleveland
Walk-up tickets will be available at Fenn Tower
Win a pair of RT airline tix on Continental Airlines!

What's your cool idea for the future of Cleveland - in economic development, in housing, in education, in race relations? We want to know - so Cool Cleveland is teaming up with Cleveland State University to present an evening of visionary fun with a career-boosting twist (after all, what are universities for?) on Wednesday, April 22 from 5:30-8pm. Walk-up tickets will be available at the door at Fenn Tower.

Just announced: Win a pair of round-trip airline tickets just by registering for the Future of Cleveland party. Courtesy of Continental Airlines, someone at our event will win a pair of round-trip tickets anywhere Continental Airlines flies in the continental U.S. Considering we usually host a few hundred guests at our Cool Cleveland events, you can do the math and see that your chances are quite good.

Speak up and tell us what Cleveland needs to do to move forward at this fabulous Cool Cleveland party, set amidst the glamour of CSU's stunningly restored Fenn Tower. Reopened in 2007, Fenn Tower is a glorious example of American Art Deco design and a signature piece of CSU's “extreme” $350 million makeover. This grande dame of Euclid Ave. is now fully restored as a luxurious student housing community that you just gotta see. Map here.

But we won't be there to focus on the past. While enjoying open bar and tasty appetizers, you'll discuss Cleveland's future with eight of CSU's executives-in-residence - top experts recruited from business, law, technology, politics, education and more - where you can pick their brains for career advice and make valuable connections. The contributions these execs made throughout their careers, and continue to make, in moving Cleveland forward cannot be overstated, and their business savvy and expertise is now yours for the asking at this exclusive event.

Complimentary menu selections:

* Open bar with beer & wine
* Shrimp and Andouille Kabob
* Caprese Skewers (Mozzarella, Tomato, Basil)
* Mushroom Duxelle Beggars Purse
* Sweet Chili Chicken Satay
* Roasted Baby Vegetables with Tarragon Vinaigrette
* Meditteranean Platter with Hummus, Baba Gannoush, Tzatziki, Olives, Tabbouleh and Pita Points
* Assortment of Imported and Domestic Cheeses with Crackers
* Spinach & Artichoke Dip with Pita Chips
* Fine Coffee & Tea selection
* Seasonal Fruit Skewers

Executives you'll meet are Steven Minter, former director of The Cleveland Foundation; former state senator Grace Drake; David Whitehead, former VP of FirstEnergy; Julian Earls, former director of NASA-Glenn; Barbara Byrd-Bennett, former CEO, Cleveland Metropolitan School District; Myron Robinson, former president and CEO The Urban League of Greater Cleveland; Tom Bier, director of CSU's Center for Housing Research & Policy; and John Babel, Jr., former superintendent, Fairview Park Schools.

Join the spirited dialogue -- show your Viking spirit, be amazed at the “new” CSU, kick your career in high gear and have a great time! And simply by purchasing your ticket, you'll be eligible for the drawing for a pair of Continental Airlines tickets! Walk-up tickets will be available at Fenn Tower starting at 5:30PM.

Share your ideas for the Future of Cleveland:
5:30-6:30pm: Networking

* Guests arrive, register in the lobby area, and receive 3 stickers.
* Guests place stickers on flipcharts to reserve sessions with 3 Executive-in-Residence.
* Guests mingle, network, enjoy appetizers
6:30-6:45pm: Meet with Execs
* Guests meet in a group with their first Executive in an assigned area to discuss their ideas for moving Cleveland forward. A CSU student scribe will be assigned to each Executive, and will write everyone's ideas down on a flipchart while ideas are captured with live blogging.

6:45-7pm:

* Guest rotate to meet in groups with their 2nd Executive.

7-7:15pm:

* Guest rotate to meet in groups with their 3rd Executive.

7:15-7:45pm: Debrief

* All guests will gather in Panel Hall at the end of the exercise. Thomas Mulready of Cool Cleveland will moderate discussion; Executives will be asked to summarize ideas via wireless microphones. Another student scribe will live blog the proceedings, adding ideas as they are discussed and projecting them on a large screen via laptop.

7:45-8pm: Network

* Guests network; event concludes at 8 p.m.

Walk-up tickets will be available at Fenn Tower starting at 5:30PM. Map here.

(:divend:)