David Gilbert’s passion to not only make Cleveland a better place but to make it a city that those from all over the globe pine to visit comes naturally to the native Clevelander.

“This is my town,” Gilbert, president and CEO of Destination Cleveland and Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, told the Cleveland Jewish News. “I feel very lucky to run both of those and to be able to put on that Cleveland jersey every day.”

Gilbert was named the winner of the 2025 Leadership Award from City Nation Place, which was part of the City Nation Place Awards announced at the City Nation Place Global conference held on Nov. 5 and Nov. 6 in London.

“Don’t get me wrong, it’s very nice to be recognized,” he said. “But it’s not something I strive for or am overly comfortable with. The thing I appreciated

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