Local visitor bureau Visit Cincy has named seven influencers as the ‘Cincy 7’: a group of hand-picked local ambassadors across key cultural pillars selected for their connection to the region.
The new program, which hands the microphone directly to each ambassador to tell their stories, is an initiative intended to highlight the iconic experiences that make the region unique through the eyes of local residents. Each member of the Cincy 7 will bring their own personality and perspectives from their area of passion and expertise, sharing the places they love, experiences they recommend and a local take on what visitors shouldn’t miss.
“We wanted a creative and fresh way to tell the bigger story of our destination,” said Julie Kirkpatrick, president and CEO of MeetNKY and interim president and CEO of Visit Cincy in a press release. “The Cincy Region is 52 neighborhoods and 36 cities spanning one river and two states, all coming together to make up one amazing Cincy that is worth the visit. That’s where the Cincy 7 comes in.”
Local art icon Pam Kravetz was named the arts ambassador; Q102 host Freddy Mac is the music ambassador; lifestyle content creator Shawna Figgs heads the culture section; food influencer Dione Wu is the culinary ambassador; Crown Network reporter and in-game Cincinnati Reds host Marisa Contipelli takes charge of the sports section; West Side native and nature influencer Wes Mergard will speak on the region’s vibrant outdoor opportunities, and blogger/realtor Andrew Maloney will inform crowds of the region’s history.
The focus on these seven arts, entertainment and cultural categories comes at a time when the Cincy Region is earning attention well beyond the local area. Michelin recently added Cincinnati to its growing list of culinary destinations, while BLINK has grown into one of the nation’s largest public art and light events. The region’s major league teams and sporting events continue to draw fans from across the country, and organizations like ArtsWave and 1001 Colors continue to elevate the arts community across both sides of the river on a national and international scale.
“Our region’s momentum is undeniable, but while our world-class events and attractions help to entice visitors, the heart of the Cincy Region has always been its people,” Kirkpatrick said. “The Cincy 7 initiative allows us to translate that national spotlight into personal, on-the-ground experiences guided by the locals who know and love this region best and the real reason people tend to come back to visit us.”
For more information on the Cincy 7, check out Visit Cincy’s official webpage.
