SSTI's 12th Annual Conference

While in Northeast Ohio . . .
| Why Cleveland | Amenities

Northeast Ohio in mid-October is a weather perfect place to be. Fall colors. Blue waters. And the region’s mix of historic neighborhoods, fascinating cultural centers, and entertaining attractions make Northeast Ohio an ideal destination to add a day or two to the front or back end of your conference. Or maybe you’ll want to stay a little longer . . .

In fact, Cleveland was ranked as the number one “Most Livable City” in the U.S. by the Economist in 2005, primarily because it has all the benefits of a major city without sacrificing quality of life. Cleveland+ is home to major research institutions and healthcare organizations; major league sports teams; world-class cultural institutions; and great museums and entertainment attractions.

A Cultural Haven
During SSTI’s 12th Annual Conference, the opulently restored Playhouse Square – the second-largest performing arts center in the nation – will feature the Broadway musical A Chorus Line and Robert Dubac’s Male Intellect: Second Coming.

Also nearby are the world-renowned Cleveland Museum of Art and The Cleveland Orchestra, the Cleveland Botanical Garden, Museum of Contemporary Art, the Western Reserve Historical Society, and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.

The nation’s oldest African American cultural arts institution, Karamu House, and the Cleveland Play House, the first professional regional theatre in the United States, also call Cleveland home.

Prowl the Night
Not ready to call it a night after the conference? No worries. Remember Cleveland Rocks! There are plenty of entertainment options to accommodate your mood.

The East Fourth Neighborhood is called the “soul of the city,” featuring neighborhood gathering spots, sophisticated restaurants, a swanky jazz bar, House of Blues, live entertainment, and a contemporary bowling alley and martini bar.

Additional hotspots include the Historic Warehouse District, downtown Cleveland’s oldest commercial center combining residential living with restaurants, cafes, bars and clubs, and Nighttown is known for its “unique atmosphere, cool vibe, great food, fabulous jazz, intimacy and warmth.”

A City for Serious Sports Fans
Northeast Ohio takes its sports seriously, and, with the likes of LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers taking home the crown as the 2007 Eastern Conference Champions, they should. Stay through Thursday night to catch Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and the rest of the San Antonio Spurs in an Oct. 16 pre-season game. Alternately, arrive in Cleveland one day early to experience the Dawg Pound in person during the Monday night NFL matchup between the Cleveland Browns and the New York Giants.

An Up and Coming Food Destination
Locals regard Little Italy as the center of Italian culture, surrounded by restaurants, galleries, bakeries and cafes. More than 20 restaurants each boast their own “regional flair.”

Just over a year old, Table 45 keeps winning awards with acclaimed Chef Zach Bruell’s masterful “World Cuisine” menu. The very sensual restaurant is also very convenient – located within the conference hotel, the Intercontinental Hotel Cleveland!

Local chef Michael Symon, recently crowned the Next Iron Chef on Food Network, is owner and head chef at Lola and Lolita and continues to build Cleveland’s fine food reputation.

Great Lakes Brewing Company boasts award-winning beer brewed in an environmentally and socially conscious manner and served in a casual, upbeat atmosphere. Dine in at the Brewpub located in the historic Ohio City neighborhood.

Looking to network or just meet a few new friends over dinner? SSTI is organizing a dine-around Cleveland, with small group reservations being held at several exclusive establishments around the city. Sign up at the conference registration desk.

Natural Adventures
October is a beautiful time of year to be outdoors in Northeast Ohio. While the region is the 12th largest metro area in the country, it also boasts the not-to-be-missed Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the 70-mile Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail or Cleveland’s amazing greenbelt of Metroparks. Combined, they offer deep forests, rolling hills and hundreds of miles of multi-use trails for non-motorized sports. In addition, you can take it all in by riding the train on one of the oldest, longest, and most scenic excursion railways in the country.

Additional adventures await you at the 3,500-acre Holden Arboretum and the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. Or you can discover the city’s greatest kept secrets and little known places of interest on a Walking Tour of Cleveland through downtown or Ohio City/West Side Market, or climb aboard Lolly the Trolley and see all of the city’s hotspots during a 20-mile narrated City Sightseeing Tour.