The 18 Hour City Series kicked off January 10, 2018 with the topic Reputation & Image. Source Cincinnati was here to lead this inaugural session and get us thinking about our part in building Cincinnati’s reputation and image. We incorporated pigeonhole technology to create a fully interactive session between the speakers and audience. Take a look at a small portion of what we learned below.

Julie Calvert, Executive Director, and Susan Lomax, Vice President of Source Cincinnati, led the discussion explaining there are three key factors when it comes to a City’s reputation – having a beautiful, vibrant environment, innovation mindset and smart, thoughtful practices. The opening poll showed ULI Cincinnati is split across the importance of these attributes:

We see these positive characteristics alive in Greater Cincinnati, but we are not necessarily the best at promoting ourselves to the world. When outsiders think of Cincinnati, they see a blank canvas – no impressions whatsoever. Nothing bad, nothing good – just nothing. Source Cincinnati’s role is to amplify our great stories, and promote and position Cincinnati as a destination of choice for talent, business, and tourism. Source Cincinnati is bringing our region to the country’s most prominent media outlets and boasting the qualities of our beautifully connected region. You’ve likely seen the impact of their work. Cincinnati has received top exposure in Travel & Leisure, Forbes, USA Today, CNN and The New York Times. In the room, 72% of the audience said in the past few years, it has been somewhat easier to overcome the unfamiliarity of Cincinnati when working outside the region:

We, as community members, need to work to change the perception for outsiders. TheCincinnatiExperience.com is a digital toolkit showcasing everything that is Cincinnati. The site is powered by Source Cincinnati in partnership with Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, REDI Cincinnati, Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the Regional Tourism Network. They have gathered photos, stories and information for our use. It is up to us to help share the image of Greater Cincinnati as the best place to live, work and visit. Find Source Cincinnati on social media at @cincyexperience and #cincyexperience.

Who is Source Cincinnati?

Source Cincinnati is an independent organization, funded by the CVB and other civic organizations, with the mission of amplifying Cincinnati’s stories on a national platform. As Cincinnati experiences a transformation fueled by urban renewal investments, enhanced entertainment districts and a vigorous entrepreneurial spirit, Source Cincinnati uses social media and national press outreach to enhance perceptions of the Queen City.

What is ULI Cincinnati’s 18 Hour City Series?

The 18 Hour City Series is a creative problem-solving forum. The structure allows industry talent to engage with panelists to innovate around unique challenges and ideas. Our ULI Members are a diverse group of thought leaders. We are doers who design and solve for effective use of land and the built environment. Expert panelists will present contemporary thinking on a subject and together we will help form, create and sustain our 18 Hour City.  The next session in the series is scheduled for March 8, 2018 to explore the Region’s Transportation Vision.

Visit Cincinnati.uli.org for more information and to sign up.