Small boutique hotels are popular in many American cities - and internationally. Now, several such hotel chains are planning to open facilities in downtown Cleveland. According to Downtown Cleveland Alliance President Joe Marinucci, Cleveland's new casino, medical mart, convention center and other downtown development are creating a new market for hoteliers.

Between the new Horseshoe Casino Cleveland, Medical Mart and Convention Center, Aquarium, hotels, restaurants and other attractions there is more than $2 billion worth of visitor-related attractions that are coming on line. How to capitalize on this attention and make sure those visitors experiences are memorable ones is the focus behind a new effort revealed Tuesday by Positively Cleveland.

We've all heard the story. Cleveland, Ohio, like many other Rust Belt cities, has struggled mightily in the aftermath of the demise of heavy manufacturing. For those not paying attention, Cleveland would seem to be a doomed city destined for a continual decline. But this is not the case. Right now, the city of Cleveland is undergoing a dramatic transformation, the likes of which America hasn't seen since the rebirth of New York City in the early 1990s. Currently there is over $6 billion in new developments taking place in the core city, with more on the way. 

Northern Ohio is a unique Midwestern region encompassing locales equipped for large-scale conventions, intimate retreats and everything in between. Cleveland is fast becoming a special niche market for medical meetings, and associations, corporate groups and regional gatherings have all found Akron, Toledo and other group-friendly destinations in the region to be easily accessible and full of the appropriate amenities for successful events.

On February 1, 2012, Turner Construction recognized the completion of steel erection on the Medical Mart by hosting a traditional “Topping Out” ceremony, hoisting the final steel beam to the top of the structure with a fir tree and an American flag affixed to the beam. “Topping Out” is an ancient European tradition symbolized by tying a fir tree to the top of a newly completed roof that has been long adopted by American steel workers on construction projects. “Topping Out” recognizes that the uppermost steel beam is in place and that the structure has reached its zenith with no loss of life. More than 200 on-site workers viewed the ceremony and were provided commemorative t-shirts at an onsite luncheon.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. today announced plans to introduce its popular Westin brand to Cleveland, Ohio. The Westin Cleveland Convention Center will open in summer 2013 in a prime location, adjacent to the Cleveland Medical Mart and Convention Center complex. Owned by Sage Hospitality, the former Crowne Plaza will undergo a $64 million renovation prior to re-opening as a Westin. The Westin Cleveland Convention Center will offer 481 luxurious rooms, a full-service restaurant, 26,000 square feet of meeting facilities and the full suite of Westin signature amenities and services.

FROM THE "NBC TODAY SHOW" (Today Books):  Former President Bill Clinton spoke with Today's Ann Curry on November 8 about his new book "Back to Work".  During the interview, the former President mentions both the Cleveland Clinic and the Cuyahoga Community College for their continuing efforts to retrain those who lost their jobs during the recession.