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Nonprofiteer
← THE CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU OF GREATER CLEVELAND INC

Form 990 for tax year 2024

Filed by THE CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU OF GREATER CLEVELAND INC.

Totals

Total revenue
$28,226,993
Total expenses
$24,290,561
Contributions and grants received
$2,769,690
Grants paid
$984,455
Program service revenue
$24,228,561
Investment income
$1,215,621
Other revenue
$13,121
Total assets, end of year
$39,748,440
Total liabilities, end of year
$2,246,191
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$37,502,249
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$0
Management and general expenses
$0
Fundraising expenses
$0
Program service expenses (Part III)
$21,774,962

Program services were 0.0% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 1a · Federated campaigns

    $0

  • 1b · Membership dues

    $0

  • 1c · Fundraising events

    $0

  • 1d · Related organizations

    $0

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $2,633,475

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $136,215

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $133,215

  • 2a · Program service revenue: Transient Occupancy Tax

    total $22,567,960 · related or exempt $22,567,960 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $0

  • 2b · Program service revenue: Partnership Dues

    total $326,807 · related or exempt $326,807 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $0

  • 2c · Program service revenue: Advertising

    total $406,790 · related or exempt $406,790 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $0

  • 2d · Program service revenue: Sponsorships

    total $801,284 · related or exempt $801,284 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $0

  • 2e · Program service revenue: Miscellaneous

    total $125,720 · related or exempt $125,720 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $0

  • 2f · All other program service revenue

    total $0 · related or exempt $0 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $0

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $1,215,621 · related or exempt $0 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $1,215,621

  • 4 · Income from investment of tax-exempt bond proceeds

    total $0 · related or exempt $0 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $0

  • 5 · Royalties

    total $3,137 · related or exempt $0 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $3,137

  • 6c · Rental income or loss

    real property $0 · personal property $0

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities $0 · other assets $0

  • 8a · Fundraising events: contributions included on line 1c

    $0

  • 10a · Gross sales of inventory

    $16,479

  • 10b · Cost of goods sold

    $6,495

  • 10c · Net income from sales of inventory

    total $9,984 · related or exempt $0 · unrelated business $9,984 · excluded $0

  • 11d · All other revenue

    total $0 · related or exempt $0 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $0

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $0

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $984,455

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $976,948

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $5,600,192

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $120,875

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $628,471

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $478,671

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $174,439

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $5,975

  • 11d · Fees: lobbying

    total $71,475

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $1,756,222

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $3,425,123

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $147,841

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $1,042,838

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $597,283

  • 17 · Travel

    total $750,663

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $1,443,191

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $1,041,316

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $97,269

  • 24a · Other expenses: Destination Development

    total $223,653

  • 24b · Other expenses: Convention Subsidy

    total $3,279,847

  • 24c · Other expenses: Community Support and Initiatives

    total $547,668

  • 24d · Other expenses: Employee Leasing Agreement

    total $398,594

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $497,552

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $25,793,933 · end of year $24,537,072

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $3,084,166 · end of year $3,130,524

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $275,412 · end of year $397,373

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $328,859 · end of year $498,973

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $11,880,066

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $6,812,734

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $2,729,053 · end of year $5,067,332

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $2,626,118 · end of year $5,154,385

  • 13 · Investments: program-related

    beginning of year $476,407 · end of year $177,141

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $1,117,800 · end of year $785,640

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $1,480,270 · end of year $1,602,487

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $189,866 · end of year $192,371

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $896,528 · end of year $451,333

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $25,254,121 · end of year $29,650,675

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $8,610,963 · end of year $7,851,574

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

We are unapologetic promoters of Cleveland. By attracting people and connecting them to experiences that illustrate Cleveland's diversity, creativity, and contagious passion, we stimulate economic growth. Destination Cleveland exists to drive economic impact and stimulate community vitality for Greater Cleveland through memorable leisure, convention and business travel experiences. The organization markets the destination to individuals, meeting planners and tour operators to change perceptions and improve the narrative of Cleveland; pursues, books and services meetings, conventions and events; and manages the destination experience by connecting visitors to Cleveland, the industry that serves them and the environment they experience during their visit.

Activities or mission (Part I)

We are unapologetic promoters of Cleveland. By attracting people and connecting them to experiences that illustrate Cleveland's diversity, creativity and contagious passion, we stimulate economic growth.

  • Allocation of funds to change perceptions of Cleveland as a destination city, increase demand for Cleveland as a leisure destination and as the host of meetings, conventions and events, and encourage area residents to recommend Cleveland as a visitor destination to family and friends.

    Expenses $8,006,351

  • Expenses related to pursuing and booking meetings, conventions and events to be hosted in Cleveland. Also includes expenses related to servicing secured events to create memorable and personal experiences that are authentic to Cleveland, which contribute to increasing positive perceptions of Cleveland.

    Expenses $7,453,839

  • Expenses incurred to update and maintain visitor experience assets, including wayfinding system, brand signage and illumination equipment for a permanent lighting installation in downtown Cleveland[.

    Expenses $2,840,437

  • Convention services and destination engagement expenses

    Expenses $3,474,335

As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Gordon Taylor III

    Chief Sales Officer

    Total calculated
    $285,505
    From this org
    $255,793
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $29,712
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $227,073
    Bonus
    $28,720
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $21,761
    Nontaxable benefits
    $7,951
    Filer's total
    $285,505

  • Hannah Belsito

    Chief Experience Officer

    Total calculated
    $256,441
    From this org
    $227,734
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $28,707
    Hours/week
    40 + 0.5 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $206,514
    Bonus
    $21,220
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $21,761
    Nontaxable benefits
    $6,946
    Filer's total
    $256,441

  • Marie Scalia

    Chief Marketing Officer

    Total calculated
    $231,987
    From this org
    $214,469
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $17,518
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $189,749
    Bonus
    $24,720
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $11,857
    Nontaxable benefits
    $5,661
    Filer's total
    $231,987

  • Sharrona Burns

    Vice President of Sales and Services Operations

    Total calculated
    $221,904
    From this org
    $200,239
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $21,665
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $184,439
    Bonus
    $15,800
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $21,665
    Nontaxable benefits
    $0
    Filer's total
    $221,904

  • Steven Dieringer

    Vice President of Finance

    Total calculated
    $203,016
    From this org
    $189,417
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $13,599
    Hours/week
    40 + 0.5 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $174,705
    Bonus
    $14,712
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $7,820
    Nontaxable benefits
    $5,779
    Filer's total
    $203,016

  • Jennifer Valencic

    Vice President, Destination Engagement

    Total calculated
    $200,229
    From this org
    $173,059
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $27,170
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $154,467
    Bonus
    $18,592
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $21,701
    Nontaxable benefits
    $5,469
    Filer's total
    $200,229

  • Emily Lauer

    Vice President of PR & Communications

    Total calculated
    $182,224
    From this org
    $169,249
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $12,975
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $155,937
    Bonus
    $13,312
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $7,773
    Nontaxable benefits
    $5,202
    Filer's total
    $182,224

  • Jim Ganotis

    Director of Information Technology

    Total calculated
    $150,569
    From this org
    $129,147
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $21,422
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $120,647
    Bonus
    $8,500
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $18,177
    Nontaxable benefits
    $3,245
    Filer's total
    $150,569

  • Lauren Federico

    Senior Director of Convention Services

    Total calculated
    $138,131
    From this org
    $137,175
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $956
    Hours/week
    40

  • Bruce Akers

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Dr Laura Bloomberg

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Kate Borders

    Directors

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Brandon Bryant

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Micki Byrnes

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Shelly Cayette

    Director through June 2024

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Bradford Davy

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Robert Falls

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Adam Fishman

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Bill Griswold

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Steve Groppe

    Director through August 2024

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Greg Harris

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Craig Hassall

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • David Heller

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Robert Hill

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Erik Janas

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Michael Jeans

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • JW Johnson

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Nathan Kelly

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Ron King

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Brenda Kirk

    Treasurer

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 0.5 related

  • Tammy LeBlanc

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • India Pierce Lee

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Paul Matsen

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Bob Megazzini

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Tania Menesse

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Darrell McNair

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Sam McNulty

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Randy McShepard

    Vice Chair

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Pat Pastore

    Vice Chair

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Jon Pinney

    Board Chair

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 0.5 related

  • Shawn Riley

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Baiju Shah

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Jason Therrien

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Julie Tutkovics

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Daniel Walsh

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Mayor Pat Ward

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Eric Wobser

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Brian Zimmerman

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Ann Zoller

    Secretary

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 0.5 related

  • David Gilbert

    President and CEO - Leased Employee

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    40 + 1 related

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

  • 3 · Compensation committee
  • 3 · Written employment contract
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee

Answered no

  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

Related organizations on this return

Schedule R Part II: tax-exempt organizations related to the filer by control. It does not record shared board members or money.

  • Spirit of Cleveland Inc

    501(c)(3) · Promote Cleveland · OH · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by Convention and Visitors Bureau of Greater Cleveland Inc

Taxable family on this return

Schedule R Parts I, III and IV, as filed. These record ownership and control, not shared board members or money moved.

Disregarded entities

Part I: entities that legally are the filer and file no return of their own.

  • DC CCC Investment LLC

    Investment in Cleveland Concert Company · OH · income $0 · assets $0

    Directly controlled by The Convention and Visitors Bureau of Greater Cleveland Inc

  • DC Illumination LLC

    Support of Illuminate CLE lighting project · OH · income $3,234,357 · assets $3,587,441

    Directly controlled by The Convention and Visitors Bureau of Greater Cleveland Inc

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2024
Filed
11 November 2025
IRS schema version
2024v5.0
Source object
202503199349300225

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