When Harlan Diamond, president of Executive Caterers, started the Corporate Club at Landerhaven series 20 years ago, he never imagined the stellar list of business and civic leaders the program would attract. Or, that two decades later, it would not only be flourishing, but growing and bringing the brightest minds to talk about the biggest issues.
Corporate Club did not start as an altruistic venture. It was a marketing concept designed to bring attention to what was then a new 80,000-square-foot corporate, wedding and special event center — Landerhaven.
The goal was to create a buzz about this new facility and introduce it to the corporate and civic communities, so public relations consultant John Craig suggested implementing a breakfast speaker series featuring Northeast Ohio’s prominent corporate figures.
Diamond approached Patrick Parker, chairman of Parker Hannifin Corp., to be the first speaker. Nestle Enterprises Inc. CEO James M. Biggar followed. Then came Ed Crawford, CEO of Park Ohio Holdings. Dick Pogue of Jones Day, Dr. Les Coleman of Lubrizol and John Breen of Sherwin-Williams all got involved. “All of a sudden, there were 25, 50, 100 people attending,” says Diamond.
The format worked well for more than a decade before Diamond decided to expand the program concept to include panel discussions addressing the challenges and opportunities facing the region. He also, at times, moved the breakfast time slot to lunch.
As the concept evolved, so did the panels. Topics included the local economy, technology, education, biotech, regionalism, the arts, sports and the changing media. “These moves resulted in attracting a more diverse representation as part of the panel and in the audience. We were able to cover a wider range of interests,” says Charles Klass, executive vice president of Executive Caterers.
The common thread in these discussions has been education. “From the inception of this program, virtually every speaker has emphasized that we must improve our education system in order for Northeast Ohio to stay in the forefront,” Diamond says.
Educators, from Dr. Eugene Sanders to the presidents of Cuyahoga Community College, Case Western Reserve University, Kent State University, Cleveland State University, Ursuline College and The University of Akron, spoke at the events. The medical community has also been well represented with Toby Cosgrove M.D. of The Cleveland Clinic and Tom Zenty of University Hospitals.
There were the standout occasions, too. One happened when former Cleveland meteorologist Don Webster returned from Hilton Head to host a panel of local meteorologists. Ironically, it was nearly cancelled because of blizzard conditions. The group forged on, but Webster’s flight home was cancelled as predicted by the panel.
Indeed, timing is often everything. The June 5, 1989, program, the day of the Tiananmen Square protests, featured a Chinese delegate and representative from the Chinese Consulate. The delegate started to talk about the situation in China, but stopped because of the possible political ramifications, says Diamond.
And sometimes discretion is required. Now retired Continental Airlines Chairman and CEO Gordon Bethune spoke in 2002, shortly after the airline cut commissions to travel agents. “We received a call from a group interested in booking a room for breakfast,” says Klass. “Harlan was suspicious. It turned out the client was actually a travel agency that wanted to stage a protest in our building. We declined their reservation.” Instead, they picketed on Landerhaven Drive.
Even when things are happening on the podium, history is being made behind the scenes. “I can show you the phone that Wayne Embry was on when the trade for Danny Ferry was completed,” Diamond says.
Recent programs have included politics, the Medical Mart, sustainability, Women of Excellence and Umberto Fedeli of The Fedeli Group. The February 2009 program featured Terry Stewart, president and CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, and Joel Peresman, president and CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation in New York, who spoke about the Induction Ceremony and the positive impact the event would have on Cleveland.
Corporate Club has given back in other ways as well. There’s been the introduction of phil•an•thro•pi•a, the special December program when nonprofits can raise money for their organizations without spending any.
“After 9/11 we realized that money was leaving Northeast Ohio and thought we should do something to help,” explains Diamond. The entrance fee is a check made payable to the attendee’s favorite charity, which gets 100 percent of the donation. There is also a raffle and the winning ticket holder decides which charity receives the proceeds. The first year of phil•an•thro•pi•a, $6,000 was raised. Last year that number increased to $130,000 for 131 local charities.
Corporate Club is not just a speaker delivering a speech. It is a dynamic interactive format between the moderator and panelists. A question-and-answer period encourages audience participation. And generally, the speakers are the last ones to leave the ballroom after mingling with attendees.
People recognize the importance of the Corporate Club forum. It offers tremendous networking opportunities before, during and after the program. “Corporate Club is a wonderful way to entertain my clients and prospects, and our firm has made some excellent new contacts as well,” says Joe Skoda of Skoda Minotti.
As Corporate Club has grown in reputation, so has its sponsor participation. Greater media coverage offers sponsors extensive visibility in the marketplace, as well as the positive association with a program that works for a stronger community. “We have been delighted to associate our company with this outstanding series,” says Paul Clark of National City Bank, now a part of PNC. “As a Presenting Sponsor, the promotional exposure is quite extensive and offers tremendous value. Our clients enjoy attending the events, which are first-class.”
Another sponsor, Time Warner Cable Business Class, broadcasts the program at least 16 times a month. It is also available via Local On-Demand, where in recent months it has become the most requested program.
Plans are underway for the 2010 series. It will also be Executive Caterers’ 50th anniversary. Diamond says he expects this upcoming year to be the biggest and best ever.