Key decision-makers for major meetings and conventions will once again gather in Cincinnati this week, as the Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau hosts the 58th Annual Service Club Leaders Conference, Nov. 16-18.

Executive directors and leaders from more than 20 national and international service organizations will be in attendance, including Kiwanis International; Lions Clubs International; Optimist International; and Rotary International. Collectively, these attendees and their respective organizations represent more than 100,000 future hotel room nights and more than $20 million in potential visitor spending.

“The Service Club Leaders Conference focuses on engaging communities and preparing for the future. That is why Cincinnati is the perfect place to have these discussions,” said Allison Summers, Executive Director of Zonta International and co-organizer of the Service Club Leaders Conference. “We are excited to channel the energy of the city and to host an exciting and successful conference.”

The Service Club Leaders Conference comes just weeks after Cincinnati hosted hundreds of meeting planners for a series of Connect Meetings tradeshows. In the last month alone, Cincinnati has been showcased to nearly 500 of the nation’s top meeting planners, opening the door to approximately 250,000 potential room nights in the Queen City.

“The Cincinnati region is experiencing a great transformation, and it’s important that we continue to show these influential decision-makers the wealth of possibilities with Cincinnati as a host city,” said Dan Lincoln, president and CEO of the Cincinnati USA CVB. “By hosting these back-to-back events, we are actively working to position Cincinnati as a choice destination for events and establishing relationships that could lead to future business.”

The Service Club Leaders Conference is taking advantage of local Cincinnati experts for much of their programming and speakers. Highlights from the conference include presentations by Jeff Berding of FC Cincinnati, Eric Weissmann of Cintrifuse and Yara Sawalha of Procter & Gamble. Attendees will also experience a brewing heritage-themed tour of the city and a reception at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, hosted by the Cincinnati USA CVB.

“These service-based organizations include members of all ages and interests. Cincinnati’s combination of traditional opportunities and cool, eclectic experiences caters to all of our attendees. As our host city, we expect Cincinnati to truly engage our group and leave a lasting impression,” said Elizabeth Lucas, Executive Director and CEO of Soroptimist International of the Americas. Lucas is a co-organizer of the Service Club Leaders Conference along with Summers.

In the last five years, Cincinnati has hosted four major service organizations, including Quota International in 2014 and Women’s Overseas Service League, Toastmasters International and Optimist International in 2013. In that time, Cincinnati has been included on several lists of America’s most charitable or generous cities, including mentions from CNBC, Huffington Post and Fidelity Charitable.

“As one of America’s most charitable cities, Cincinnati understands and identifies with these groups’ dedication to serving the community,” Lincoln said. “The level of engagement and philanthropy in Cincinnati is a testament to our region’s values of giving back and creating communities where people can live, work, play and stay.”


About the Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau
The Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau is a sales, marketing and service organization whose primary responsibility is to positively impact Hamilton County's and the City of Cincinnati's economy through convention, trade show and visitor expenditures. The travel and tourism industry traditionally has been a $5 billion industry in Cincinnati USA, employing 77,000 people in a variety of fields and bringing 26.1 million visitors to the region annually. Visit www.cincyusa.com for more.