FAQs
Coming to the summit? Click below for everything you need to prepare!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who can participate?
A: Registration is open to all. The session’s content may be most appropriate for those who are high-school age and older.
One of the summit’s Guiding Values is equity. We envision an inclusive economy for all. To do that, we want to ensure summit attendees reflect our community as a whole. It’s important to have people in the room who know what has worked in the past as well as new voices, points of view and ideas. During registration, we will ask demographic questions such as age and gender. These questions are 100% voluntary. The information will be separated from identifying details and will only be used to maintain a diverse mix in the room. This anonymous demographic data will be made available to all to ensure transparency.
Due to venue capacity, space will be limited to 1,000 attendees.
Q: But is this something I can go to?
A: Yes. The success of the summit depends on having diverse voices in the room – including yours!
Q: Do I have to pay to participate?
A: Absolutely not. However, transportation to and from the summit will not be provided.
Q: Will the event have food and drink?
A: Yes, breakfast will be provided all three days and lunch will be provided on October 29 and 30.
Q: Am I required to attend the full two and a half days of the summit?
A: Yes. In order to receive a ticket to attend the summit, participants must commit to participating for two and a half days, during the times listed below.
This commitment is necessary because the Appreciative Inquiry process builds throughout the sessions and your contributions to each part of the conversation are critical to that process.
Summit Schedule
Tuesday, October 29 | 7:30am to 5pm
7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Registration and Breakfast
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Getting Agreement on Cleveland’s Strengths
12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Lunch
1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Creating a Shared Vision for Cleveland’s Growth, Equity and Opportunity
Wednesday, October 30 | 7:30am to 5pm
7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Registration and Breakfast
8:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Designing Ideas to Accelerate Cleveland’s Growth, Equity and Opportunity
12:15 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Getting Agreement on and Prioritizing Ideas to Accelerate Cleveland's Growth, Equity and Opportunity
Thursday, October 31 | 7:30am to 12:30pm
7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Breakfast
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Finalizing Action Plans, Leadership, Metrics and Accountabilities to Accelerate Cleveland's Growth, Equity and Opportunity
Q: Will childcare be offered?
A: Every registrant will have the chance to indicate if they need childcare. If there is a need for it, childcare will be provided by a professional childcare provider.
Q: What will happen at the summit?
A: Attendees will use the Appreciative Inquiry method to work together to build trust and create measurable economic goals that include all voices, unite our strengths and set the stage for lasting collaborations.
Q: What will happen after the summit?
A: Everyone in the community must hold one another responsible for achieving results. Working groups will form around each summit outcome and encourage participation from the broader community. Together, the working groups will create measurable goals for their area of focus, while maintaining the Guiding Values of accountability and transparency.
Q: I can’t attend but want to share my vision for Cleveland’s future, can I?
A: Definitely! Sign up to stay up to date on how. Follow the Cleveland Rising Summit on social media to join the conversation leading up to the summit.
We also encourage you to attend one of the Cleveland Rising Share Your Voice Sessions and/or to complete the Share Your Voice form.
Q: Who is organizing the summit?
A: In December 2018, more than 80 community members voluntarily gathered to collaboratively design what has become the CLE Rising Summit. Thirteen of the individuals were selected by their peers as co-chairs to lead the summit development. This group is carrying forth the planning, with direction and support from Case Western Reserve University’s Dr. David Cooperrider and Dr. Ron Fry, who will giude the summit. Destination Cleveland volunteered to coordinate the event logistics. The summit is being funded by numerous public and private sector supporters.
Co-Chairs
Justin Bibb
Crystal Bryant
Carrie Carpenter
Scott Chaikin
David Gilbert
Chardonnay Graham
Don Graves Jr.
Kristen Morris
Dan Moulthrop
Chris Quinn
Felton Thomas
Dan Walsh
Vanessa Whiting
Q: How did the Cleveland Rising Summit come about?
A: The idea for a summit came from casual conversations between several business leaders, nonprofit executives and others in the community. They believed the Appreciative Inquiry method would be key to developing trust around any set of economic recommendations.
The first step in the Appreciative Inquiry process was to ensure a diverse representation of voices would be at the summit. In December 2018, a Design Session was held during which participants set the vision and guiding values of the Cleveland Rising Summit and selected co-chairs to lead planning.
The process has not been perfect. We recognize the criticisms and concerns raised by many in the community. We believe those that have voiced concerns will see them addressed as the summit’s open registration process captures a truly diverse set of voices. We believe, in the end, it will result in new ideas, representing the collective voice of the Greater Cleveland region.
Q: What is Appreciative Inquiry?
A: Appreciative Inquiry (AI) is a problem-solving process that has been used successfully at such organizations as the U.S. Navy, Apple and the United Nations, and it was developed right in our backyard. Case Western Reserve University’s Dr. David Cooperrider and Dr. Ron Fry created AI as a fun and active approach that focuses on strengths rather than weaknesses, which is why it’s called “appreciative.” It relies heavily on building trust, shared leadership, inclusivity and openness to new ideas. Appreciative Inquiry has helped diverse groups of interested people find shared strengths and agree on a shared vision to co-create action steps and realize their highest goals.
We believe the use of Appreciative Inquiry is a game-changer and will help the region’s economy move forward in a meaningful and visible way.