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 The Out In Cleveland Package at the Ritz Carlton
Getting The Word Out One Duck At A Time
Cleveland, Ohio’s official motto is “Progress and Prosperity.” That motto seems especially appropriate since the iconic, luxury hotel Ritz Carlton has recently become a pioneer by offering a package specifically designed to welcome GLBT guests.
Hollie Ksiezyk, Ritz Carlton Cleveland’s Catering Sales Manager specializing in LGBT Travel & Events, told us how it all got started with a trip to the Gay Games in Germany. “Ritz Carlton never had to develop a market, quite frankly. People just came to Ritz Carlton. I talked to our general manager and I said that I wanted to develop an LGBT package. He thought it was a great idea. We developed the package and participated in our first PRIDE this year. I went to Germany as part of the bidding organization for the Gay Games and I am now on the steering committee for the Gay Games in Cleveland.”
Ksiezyk named the new package – The Out In Cleveland Package. "As the top luxury hotel, it is great that we can offer a specific LGBT package. People are very excited about it at our parent company Marriott. I feel like a pioneer," she said.
Ksiezyk’ first step to market the new package was to have rubber ducks made! Yes, you read that correctly! “First, we had the ducks made,” Ksiezyk said. “I asked people to take one with them and take pictures wherever they are from or where they are traveling. Our Ritzy Rainbow Duck has its own Facebook page. People are starting to say I want one of those ducks! We want people to see the ducks and think 'Ritz Carlton is LGBT friendly'."
 Would the Out In Cleveland Package work in northeast Ohio? Ksiezyk had no doubt. "Ritz Carlton Cleveland is very LGBT friendly. Cleveland is much more LGBT friendly than anyone realizes. I cannot tell you how much support we received from our local government. It is just unbelievable."
In spite of past challenges due to major changes in the American manufacturing database, Cleveland has rebounded and become a major tourism destination.
Cuyahoga County's tourism industry generates $865 million and 13 million visitors each year according to their convention and visitor’s bureau.
"Cleveland has so much to offer culturally and historically. I am proud to be a Clevelander and proud to be with Ritz Carlton. We don't have a lot of food chains downtown. We have independent restaurants with awesome chefs. They are all within walking distance from Ritz Carlton." Ksiezyk said.
Kelsey Williams, Ritz Carlton Cleveland’s Public Relations Coordinator, agrees, “We have a lot of foodies coming to Cleveland - more and more every year. I love living here. We have so much going on. We are so accessible. We have museums, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, sporting events and an unbelievable park system. Not many cities have three professional sports teams. We also have the largest theater district outside of New York City. Not many people realize that."
Ksiezyk is just as enthusiastic about her participation in organizing the 2014 Gay Games as she is about the Ritz Carlton’s progressive thinking. "The Gay Games will be a huge boost to the local economy. In Germany, they had 12,000 athletes. In Chicago, they had 16,000 athletes. We predict 20,000 athletes, 50,000 visitors and an economic impact of thirty to forty million dollars in just 10 days."
The Out In Cleveland Package starts at $269 per night and includes Overnight Deluxe Accommodations, a $40 Food & Beverage Credit (Exclusive of Alcohol), Complimentary Internet Access, the LGBT Positively Cleveland Visitor’s Guide, The Ritz-Carlton, the Cleveland Exclusive Pride Amenity, Complimentary Overnight Valet Parking, and last but not least – your own Ritz Carlton LGBT rubber ducky!
To book your Out In Cleveland Package, use Code ZJ1 and phone 216-634-1515 or book online at www.ritzcarlton.com/cleveland.
Visit the Ritzy Rainbow Duck’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/RitzyRainbowDuck
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Positively Cleveland has a website dedicated to GLBT travelers at http://www.virtualonlinepubs.com/publication/?i=68750
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We were the guests of the Cleveland Ritz Carlton in 2011
Gay Travelers Magazine
PO Box 560318 Rockledge, FL 32956
SunnyHarborPublishing@yahoo.com
Staff Feature copyright Sunny Harbor Publishing
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