CLEVELAND: Why should anyone — particularly those who do not live in downtown Cleveland — care about the City Club of Cleveland?
Sure, the 101-year-old downtown organization has brought famous speakers to the region, from Franklin D. Roosevelt to Newt Gingrich, Bill Clinton, T. Boone Pickens, George Soros, Desmond Tutu and many more. But how is it relevant for today’s busy business community?
In honor of the City Club’s recent centennial, Dan Moulthrop, the club’s new CEO, has been asking himself just those sort of questions.
According to Moulthrop, the club’s dedication to free speech and bringing world-class speakers to Northeast Ohio is as relevant as ever, perhaps even more so in this era of massive media realignment.
“We’re evolving with a bit more conversation and less speech making, but the essential mission remains the same,” said Moulthrop. “We’re bringing world-class thought leaders to the region to share their views and discuss the pressing issues of the day with the engaged citizens of Northeast Ohio.
“With speakers like Congressman Jim Renacci, who has been asking the very important question, how can we fix Congress and make it work again for the people, what could be more relevant?” Moulthrop said. “Speakers like Marcia Fudge certainly have relevance to anyone with an interest in Ohio.”
Renacci, a Republican, is from Wadsworth and represents a district covering Summit, Medina and Stark counties. U.S. Rep. Fudge, a Democrat, represents areas in both Cuyahoga and Summit counties.
Moulthrop notes that members are from all over the region. One of the club’s board members, Bob Littman, is from Summit County as are many of the club’s members.
Why do members come from as far away as Summit County? Great speakers are part of the lure. But members and guests also enjoy the unique networking opportunity that the club presents.
The Friday Forums, structured around a luncheon with guests sitting at large round tables, provide time both before and after the event to meet and interact with many of the business and civic leaders from across the region.
John Moss, a wealth adviser for Merrill Lynch, is a member who attends many of the club’s events. “I enjoy getting to meet new people and bumping into people I know but don’t get to see otherwise. It’s a special environment.”
Because the Friday Forums are broadcast live on radio station WCPN (90.3-FM), WVIZ-TV and on 40 radio stations across the country, speakers and those asking questions have an impact beyond the halls of the City Club.
For those interested in participating, guests can pay a small fee to attend any of the scheduled Friday Forums, although the most popular ones can sell out. Annual memberships to the club are currently available. For further information, go online to www. cityclub.org.