
Discovery Trip to Cincinnati
Digital Itinerary
Welcome to the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC’s Discovery Trip to Cincinnati!
The Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC will take a select group of business and community leaders on our first Discovery Trip to Cincinnati, Ohio on October 15 – 18, 2024. As our region continues to grow and thrive, we want to ensure we are growing smartly with a goal of becoming the Peak City Initiative. Like the previously titled Regional Leader’s Trips, sourcing best practices and learning from others is key to our success.
Please visit this page often for the most up-to-date logistics and details.
Share photos and experiences on social media using the hashtags #COSinCIN24.









- Attendees
- Tuesday, Oct. 15
- Wednesday, Oct. 16 (Morning)
- Wednesday, Oct. 16 (Afternoon)
- Wednesday, Oct. 16: Small Group Dinners
- Thursday, Oct. 17 (Morning)
- Thursday, Oct. 17 (Afternoon / Evening)
- Friday, Oct. 18: Bonus Day
- 21c Museum Hotel

Terry Anderson, Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity
Dani Bolling, Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC
Julie Brooks, OGC Management/Paramount Group, an O’Neil Group Company
Cami Bremer, Pikes Peak United Way and Board of El Paso County Commissioners
Scott Bryan, Bryan Construction
Brian Burns, Bryan Construction
Greg Cerbana, Weidner Apartment Homes
Lynette Crow-Iverson, Colorado Springs City Council and Colorado Springs Utilities Board Member
Margaret Dolan, Pikes Peak Community Foundation
Jamie Fabos, City of Colorado Springs
Jeff Finn, Norwood Development Group
Mike Francolino, Colorado Springs Utilities
Jenifer Furda, University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Michael Gaal, Colorado Springs Schools District 11
Jill Gaebler, Pikes Peak Housing Network
Rodney Gullatte, Firma IT Solutions
Andrew Gunning, Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments (PPACG)
Natasha Hutson, Regional Director for the Pikes Peak Region, U.S. Senator Michael Bennet
Chris Jenkins, Norwood Development Group
Jeff Jensen, Jensen Group Wealth Management
Jessie Kimber, City of Colorado Springs
Crystal LaTier, El Paso County & the El Paso County Housing Authority
Megan Leatham, Colorado Springs Sports Corporation (Sports Corp)
Chris Lieber, N.E.S. Inc
Bill Lueck, University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Rachael Maxwell, Exponential Impact
Yemi Mobolade, Mayor of Colorado Springs
William Mutch, Mutch Government Relations
Laura Neumann, LN Business Consulting, LLC
Isaac Norton, MossParker
Lindsay Pack Moll, InnovaFlex Foundry
Hannah Parsons, Colorado Department of Transportation
Susan Pattee, Moss Parker
Doug Price, Visit Colorado Springs
Johnna Reeder Kleymeyer, Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC
Angela Seals, Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region
Tim Seibert, Norwood Development Group
Renee Zentz, Housing & Building Association of Colorado Springs

Arrival
Guests are asked to arrive at Cincinnati / NKY International Airport (CVG) by 3 p.m. ET.
Hotel
21c Museum Hotel
609 Walnut St.
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Dinner
Casual Attire
The Filson
25 E Freedom Way
Cincinnati, OH 45202
- 4:50 p.m.
Meet in 21c Lobby - 5 p.m.
Walk to The Filson (15 minutes) - 5:30 – 8 p.m.
Dinner at The Filson - 8 p.m.
Depart for 21c

Breakfast
At Attendee Discretion
Business Attire
Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber
8 a.m.
Meet in Hotel Lobby
8:10 a.m.
Walk to Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber
3 E. Fourth St., Cincinnati, OH
8:30 a.m.
Welcome to the Queen City, Cincinnati, Ohio
Main Conference Room
Denise Driehaus, Hamilton County Commissioner
8:45 a.m.
Breakout 1A: Selling Ourselves at Olympic City USA or #1 City in America – How do we sell our brand?
COS Equivalent: LART funding to promote / market Colorado Springs to visitors and business decision makers.
Front Board Room
Julie Calvert , Visit Cincy, President and CEO
Anastasia Mileham, Source Cincinnati
Resource: www.cincinnatiexperience.com
Participants:
- Anderson
- Bolling
- Brooks
- Burns
- Cerbana
- Crow-Iverson
- Fabos
- Finn
- Francolino
- Furda
- Gullatte
- Gunning
- LaTier
- Leatham
- Norton
- Pack Moll
- Price
- Seibert
8:45 a.m.
Breakout 2A: Cincinnati Futures Commission
A year spent studying the Cincinnati’s finances and looming deficits to recommend a plan of action and an economic agenda that would drive growth in the city.
COS Equivalent: Colorado Springs long-term funding strategies and the mayor’s strategic plan.
Main Conference Room
Brendon Cull, Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, President
Resource: A Vision for the Future of Cincinnati, Final Report
Participants:
- Bremer
- Bryan
- Dolan
- Gaal
- Gaebler
- Hutson
- Jenkins
- Jensen
- Kimber
- Lueck
- Lieber
- Maxwell
- Mobolade
- Mutch
- Neumann
- Parsons
- Pattee
- Reeder Kleymeyer
- Seals
- Zentz
9:45 a.m.
Breakout 1B: Economic Inclusion
Scaling minority owned businesses through coaching, trainings, and access to company and govt procurement contracts.
COS Equivalent: No current Colorado Springs comparison
Front Board Room
Darrin Redus, Cincinnati Minority Business Accelerator, CEO
Resource: MinorityBusinessAccelerator.com
Participants:
- Brooks
- Burns
- Finn
- Francolino
- Furda
- Gullatte
- Hutson
- Kimber
- LaTier
- Leatham
- Maxwell
- Mutch
- Neumann
- Norton
- Pack Moll
- Price
- Reeder Kleymeyer
- Seals
- Seibert
- Zentz
9:45 a.m.
Breakout 2B: The Connected Region – Funding a Regional Transportation System
Business and community leaders focused on advocating for policy change and building partnerships between public/private sector to develop a transportation system.
COS Equivalent: Colorado Springs Transit Plan funded through PPRTA and Front Range High-Speed Rail.
Main Conference Room
Pete Metz, Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, former Director of the Connected Region and current Vice President of Civic and Regional Partnerships
Brandon Rudd, Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, Director of the Center for Research & Data
Resources: The Connected Region
Center for Resources and Data
Participants:
- Anderson
- Bolling
- Bremer
- Bryan
- Cerbana
- Crow-Iverson
- Dolan
- Fabos
- Gaal
- Gaebler
- Gunning
- Jenkins
- Jensen
- Lieber
- Lueck
- Mobolade
- Parsons
- Pattee
Driving Tour Around Downtown Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky
10:45 a.m.
A region on the move – streetcars, stadiums, the gateway to freedom and regional partnerships. Collaboration is key to winning. Innovative funding of real estate and clean-up projects
Brent Cooper, Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, President & CEO
Cierra Clymer, REDI Cincinnati, Director, International Business Development & Inclusion

Lunch Speaker and Afternoon Breakout Sessions
Metropolitan Club
50 E Rivercenter Blvd # 1900, Covington, KY
Noon
Lunch Speaker: First Impressions Matter
Smale Riverfront Park is a park for the generations—a compelling recreational, entertainment and leisure resource for the entire Greater Cincinnati community. Its many and varied features — including fountains, walkways, gardens, event lawns, playgrounds and restaurants — contribute to the emotional and physical health of its citizens; to the economic vitality of the region and to the exceptional quality of life and experience to be cultivated and enjoyed throughout the area.
COS Equivalent: Colorado Springs Creek Project
Jason Barron, Cincinnati Parks, Director
Phil Beck, Hamilton County and City of Cincinnati, The Banks Project Executive
Resources: Smale Riverfront Park
1:30 – 2:45 p.m.
Breakout 1: The Path to Stronger Communities – Housing and Economic Revival
Thriving neighborhoods, with a range of housing options and vibrant small business districts with new jobs mean that residents benefit from improved equity in their homes and have improved choices about their future with neighborhood revitalization.
COS Equivalent: Pikes Peak Housing Network, City of Colorado Springs housing efforts, Housing and Building Association of Colorado Springs, Habitat for Humanity, etc.
Laura Brunner, The Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority, President & CEO
Jeanne Schroer, The Catalytic Fund, President & CEO
Resources: The Port – Making Real Estate Work
The Catalytic Fund
Participants:
- Anderson
- Bolling
- Bryan
- Cerbana
- Dolan
- Fabos
- Finn
- Gaebler
- Gullatte
- Hutson
- Jensen
- Leatham
- Lueck
- Maxwell
- Parsons
- Price
- Seibert
1:30 p.m.
Breakout 2: CTE Education – Career Pathways in K-12 in Partnership with Business
College isn’t for everyone. How do we do skills-based training, credentialling and certifications to help EVERY student succeed.
COS Equivalent: Cherry Creek Innovation Campus (Aurora), The Mill (El Paso County), proposed Science and Technology High School (D11).
Participants:
- Bremer
- Brooks
- Burns
- Crow-Iverson
- Francolino
- Furda
- Gaal
- Gunning
- Jenkins
- Kimber
- LaTier
- Lieber
- Mobolade
- Mutch
- Neumann
- Pack Moll
- Pattee
- Reeder Kleymeyer
- Seals
- Zentz
Resources: Ignite Institute
1:30 – 2 p.m.
Travel via Bus to Ignite Institute High School
2 – 3:30 p.m.
Ignite Institute Tour
Randy Poe, Northern Kentucky Education Council, Executive Director
Ed Massey, Kentucky School Board Association, Past President
Carri Chandler, St. Elizabeth Healthcare Foundation, Vice President
Jerry Gels, Ignite Institute, Director Of Innovation & Principal
3:45 – 4:30 p.m.
Travel from Ignite Institute High School to 21c Hotel
Additional Meetings
21c Metropole Lounge
4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
BIPOC Business Development
Meeting with Rodney Gullatte and Eric Kearney,
Sports Commission Funding and Collaboration
Meeting with Megan Leatham and Julie Calvert, Visit Cincy, President and CEO to discuss the Cincinnati Sports Corporation, how they are funded and how they collaborate with the CVB.
United Way Discussion
Meeting between Cami Bremer, Pikes Peak United Way President, and Moira Weir, Greater Cincinnati United Way President, to discuss United Way funding priorities and network building.

Attire: Business Casual
5:30 p.m.
Meet in 21c Lobby
5:40 p.m.
Walk to Dinner (10-15 minutes)
6 p.m.
Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse| 505 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH
Sponsored by Weidner Apartment Homes
- Host: Reeder Kleymeyer
- Anderson
- Bryan
- Cerbana
- Finn
- Gullatte
- Hutson
- Lea
- Norton
- Parsons
Boca | 114 E 6th St, Cincinnati, OH
Sponsored by Pikes Peak Community Foundation
- Host: Bolling
- Bremer
- Burns
- Dolan
- Gaebler
- Gunning
- Kimber
- Maxwell
- Mutch
- Price
Via Vite | 520 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH
Sponsored by Jensen Group Wealth Management
- Host: Furda
- Crow-Iverson
- Francolino
- Jensen
- LaTier
- Pack Moll
- Pattee
- Seibert
The Davidson | 501 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH
Sponsored by Norwood Development Group
- Host: Neumann
- Brooks
- Fabos
- Gaal
- Jenkins
- Leatham
- Lieber
- Lueck
- Seals
- Zentz

Breakfast
At Attendee Discretion
Business Casual Attire with Comfortable Shoes
University of Cincinnati – 1819 Innovation Hub
8 a.m.
Travel to University of Cincinnati
Driving tour of campus and commercial corridor
8:45 – 9:30 a.m.
Tour of UC’s Digital Futures Building and 1819 Innovation Hub/Uptown Revitalization
COS Equivalent: North Nevada Corridor
Geoffrey Pinski, University of Cincinnati, AVP for Tech Transfer
Tony Almaguer, University of Cincinnati, Chief of Staff – Office of Innovation
Resource: 1819 Innovation Hub
Innovation Districts
9:30 – 10 a.m.
Real Estate and Development around UC’s Campus and Cincinnati Innovation District
Laura Brunner, The Port Authority of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority, President & CEO
Dan Schimberg, Uptown Rental Properties, President
10 – 10:15 a.m.
Innovation Districts Across the State
Kevin Chambers, JobsOhio, Managing Director
10:15 – 10:45 a.m.
Lessons Learned with 1819 Building and Innovation District
Ryan Hays, University of Cincinnati, EVP and Chief Innovation & Strategy Officer
10:45 – 11 a.m.
Drive to Cintrifuse, 1311 Vine St., Cincinnati
COS Equivalent: Catalyst Campus, Exponential Impact
Lunch Speakers
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Entrepreneurial Ecosystem and VC Fund to Funds
Gary Lindgren, Cincinnati Business Committee / Cincinnati Regional Business Committee
J.B. Kropp, Cintrifuse, CEO
Wendy Lea, Former President of Cintrifuse and founder of StartUpCincy

Cincinnati Tour
1 – 1:45 p.m.
Over the Rhine Bus Tour
An urban neighborhood, MLS Soccer Stadium, farmers market, entertainment district in need of TLC, public-private partnerships (P3) and social service dispersion. Walk around Washington Park.
COS Equivalent: Urban revitalization / Acacia Park
Johnna Reeder Kleymeyer, Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC President / CEO and former REDI Cincinnati President / CEO
Afternoon Sessions
21c Hotel (Gallery Two)
2 – 4 p.m.
Leveraging Public-Private Partnerships (P3), New Market Tax Credits
An example for Colorado Springs to consider when solving for public/private partnership best practices, panhandling, downtown vibrancy and redevelopment opportunities, 3CDC was formed in July 2003, recommended by a City of Cincinnati Economic Development Task Force as part of an overall system to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of development activities in the City of Cincinnati. Then-Mayor Charlie Luken and members of the Cincinnati corporate community joined together to create 3CDC, agreeing that the economic future of Cincinnati depended first and foremost on a strong and vibrant downtown business and entertainment district.
COS Equivalent: Peak City Initiative / City for Champions 2.0
Steve Leeper, President and CEO Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation (3CDC)
Brian Hodgett, P&G, Vice President, State Government Relations and Ohio Community Relations
Charlie Luken, former Mayor of Cincinnati
4 – 4:15 p.m.
Wrap Up / Next Steps / Learnings
Attire: Business Casual / Casual, Wear Comfortable Walking Shoes
4:30 p.m.
Meet in 21c Hotel Lobby
Bring your downtown Cincinnati Map with you to experience BLINK!
4:40 p.m.
Walk to Ghost Baby, 1314 Vine St., Cincinnati
5 – 6 p.m.
Ghost Baby: From Underground Lagering Tunnel to One of Esquire’s Best Bars in America
Josh Heuser, Owner of Ghost Baby and AGAR
Founder of BLINK!
6 – 7:30 p.m.
Dinner at Alcove, 1410 Vine St., Cincinnati, Background on BLINK! Cincinnati
Alecia Kintner, ArtsWave, CEO and President
7:30 p.m.
BLINK! Cincinnati Website
BLINK! Cincinnati Interactive Map
Over a million visitors visit over four days to enjoy the downtown artwork lit up with lighting and AI while the symphony provides musical entertainment. Explore on your own with a map, music at Music Hall and Washington Park followed by self-guided walking tour back to hotel.
COS Equivalent: Labor Day Lift Off, Taste of Colorado Springs, First Fridays

Breakfast
At Attendee Discretion
Attire: Race Day Chic (Smart Casual, Hats are Encouraged)
Bourbon Tasting and Distillery Tour
8 – 8:15 a.m.
Drop Luggage in Lobby of 21c
Separate bus will drop luggage at Hotel Covington
8:15 – 10 a.m.
Drive to Wild Turkey Distillery, 1417 Versailles Rd., Lawrenceburg, KY
Participants:
- Bolling
- Bryan
- Burns
- Furda
- Gaebler
- Gullatte
- Hutson
- Jenkins
- Jensen
- Leiber
- Neumann
- Norton
- Price
- Reeder Kleymeyer
- Seibert
- Zentz
10:30 – 11 a.m.
Bourbon Tour and Tasting
Enjoy a tour, a sip of Kentucky bourbon or enjoy tasting bourbon balls
Keeneland
11:15 a.m. – Noon
Travel to Keeneland
Noon – 3 p.m.
Keeneland Fall Race Meet
Keeneland’s 2024 Fall Race Meet series is where many of the sport’s most notable thoroughbreds and participants will take part in this premier racing event in the heart of horse country. “Betologist” will meet us after noon.
Lunch and betting on your own.
Evening in Covington
3:30 – 5 p.m.
Travel to Hotel Covington, 538 Madison Ave., Covington, KY
5 – 6 p.m.
Check in to Hotel and Break
6 – 8 p.m.
Dinner at Coppins Restaurant + Bar (Located Inside Hotel Covington)
COS Equivalent: Union Printers Home, opportunity for boutique hotel and activation of surrounding area
8 – 9 p.m.
Bourbon, BLINK! and Breathtaking Views
9 – 11 p.m.
Visit Opal Rooftop, 535 Madison Ave., Floor 7, Covington, KY, or BLINK!

21c Museum Hotel
609 Walnut St.
Cincinnati, OH 45202
- Award-winning restaurant and bar Metropole
- In-house full service spa
- 24-hour fitness center
- Business center
- Laundry service
- Museum shop
- Valet Service
- Pet-friendly rooms
- Designed by Deborah Berke Partners
- Free Wi-Fi
Chamber & EDC Staff Contact Info
Points of Contact
Johnna Reeder Kleymeyer, jreederkleymeyer@cscedc.com, 719.500.9485
Dani Bolling, dbolling@cscedc.com, 319.270.3420