“What’s next” for Greater Cleveland?

More than 1,000 business and civic leaders gathered at the Huntington Convention Center Tuesday to find out at the Greater Cleveland Partnership's 2025 Annual Event. It was an afternoon of energy, optimism and big-picture thinking about our region’s future. The event included a keynote panel with Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jim Tressel.

The gathering kicked off with a powerful video featuring young professionals who’ve chosen to live and work in Cleveland, many calling it a “hidden gem” with “a culture of innovation” and unmatched opportunity. That energy carried through the afternoon, reminding everyone in the room that Cleveland’s future is already being written.

Paul Dolan, Chairman and CEO of the Cleveland Guardians and Chair of GCP’s Board, opened the meeting with a nod to those in the room:

“People are what powers our region, and we appreciate what you are creating for Cleveland and for the world.”

Dolan touched on everything from the momentum behind NASA Glenn’s expansion to dramatic waterfront developments, airport renovations, and cultural gems that continue to make Cleveland shine. He also acknowledged the challenges of 2025’s economic climate but emphasized the strength of collective effort:

“Even with all the unknowns, there is one thing we do know—we come out stronger when we work together.”

The event wasn’t just a celebration—it was also a call to action. The board chair highlighted the importance of talent development, attracting new residents, and investing in innovation across industries:
“We have the foundation to accelerate innovation, spark entrepreneurship, and fuel long-term economic growth.”

The panel was a conversation featuring Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jim Tressel, moderated by Cleveland Foundation President & CEO Lillian Kuri.

They, too, focused on talent creation and attraction. One highlight was the discussion of the Governor’s Merit Scholarship, $20,000 over four years, given to the top 5% of all high school graduating classes if they choose to go college in Ohio. Since 2023, the retention rate has risen from 67% to 85% of high achievers.

Lt. Gov. Tressel emphasized how important attracting and retaining talent is to his work – and the state. “We have to make sure all people are aware of the opportunities we have in Ohio. This is a moment when we need to be All In.”

“All In” was the theme of GCP CEO Baiju Shah’s keynote, too, as he shared an All In vision for Greater Cleveland to continue to move towards being A Great region on A Great Lake.

Key takeaways included:

“All In” is more than a motto, it’s a proven framework for growth.

Cleveland’s civic and business leadership have rallied around the "All In" plan, using a structured approach to drive collaborative progress in innovation, talent, inclusion and development.

Cleveland’s momentum is real, but we need more people.

Cleveland’s business and income growth are trending up, outperforming peers in some metrics. However, the region is constrained by a lack of workforce, not a lack of jobs—highlighting a critical need for talent attraction and retention strategies.

Innovation and R&D investment are powering the next phase of growth

Cleveland’s innovation ecosystem—anchored by institutions like NASA Glenn, Case Western, and Sherwin-Williams—has seen a 30% increase in capital, setting the stage for further business expansions and federal investment wins.

Talent strategies are delivering results, especially in retention.

Business-led talent initiatives are working: local internships and partnerships have improved college graduate retention from 47% to 50%. The goal now is to scale these programs to retain even more of the region’s 190,000 college students.

Inclusive and appealing development is essential to competitiveness.

Cleveland is aligning major development projects—like the new $2B+ airport and downtown transformations—with inclusive economic growth. This includes nearly $100M in new small and minority business opportunities and frameworks to build lasting community impact.

Abundant Leadership is our superpower

Cleveland doesn’t rely on a single individual to shape its future. Our strength lies in our abundance of leadership—from CEOs to civic partners, public officials and others.

The event concluded with the presentation of the annual Richard Shatten Award.  This year’s award honored David Gilbert, President & CEO of Destination Cleveland and the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, for his enduring commitment to elevating Greater Cleveland on the national and global stage.

Gilbert delivered a heartfelt speech, describing how his grandmother even knew Richard, who led GCP predecessor Cleveland Tomorrow.

“It is such a privilege to get up every day and put on that Cleveland jersey and fight for this city,” he said.

Added Shah: “David and the team at Destination Cleveland have done an amazing job of bringing the country to Cleveland and bringing partners together and engaging everyone to be an ambassador for the region. That’s All In. “

The meeting concluded, true to theme, with a rousing performance of the Lifehouse song “All In” by Cleveland’s own hip-hop “fiddla,” Humble G.  Now THAT’s All In.