Business leaders have returned from the JAX Chamber’s 32nd annual Leadership Trip to Cincinnati. With the theme “Making Things Happen,” the trip focused on learning how Cincinnati’s top area leaders addressed Downtown revitalization, economic development, public-private partnerships, education reform and sports and entertainment marketing.

More than 125 trip attendees met with Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber leaders, a city manager and the mayor, economic development executives and area business leaders.

The Cincinnati area, Ohio’s third-largest metropolitan statistical area (MSA), is home to many diverse corporations, including the headquarters for nine Fortune 500 companies and 15 Fortune 1000 companies. Companies who have chosen to set up operations in the area cover a wide range of industries, including Proctor & Gamble, American Financial Group, The Kroger Co., Convergys, Great American Insurance Co., Omnicare, Fifth Third Bank, Western and Southern Financial Group, and Toyota.

Speakers discussed Downtown development, sports and entertainment marketing and educational reform and public-private partnerships. Participants toured the Taft Museum of Art, the Cincinnati Art Museum, the Cincinnati Music Hall and Washington Park, which is one of the city’s most important civic spaces. The park is surrounded by some of the city’s most prestigious cultural institutions, including a new School for the Creative and Performing Arts for students ages K-12.

Recent improvements to Washington Park were made possible by a partnership with the Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. (3CDC), a private non-profit corporation that works with the city, the state and members of the corporate community to strengthen the core assets of downtown. Trip attendees learned about 3CDC, its goals and objectives and some of its accomplishments in the areas of civic spaces, development, preservation and neighborhood creation.

“The knowledge and information we received from some of Cincinnati’s top city and business leaders was fascinating, and it will certainly inspire us to ‘make things happen’ as we implement economic development efforts in the region,” said JAX Chamber President Wally Lee. “From the integral role of sports teams and venues in city life to unique business-education partnerships, Cincinnati’s leaders have improved the city’s quality of life and work and play opportunities for its residents.”

To learn more, visit www.myjaxchamber.com.