David Gilbert
Cleveland International Hall of Fame
Class of 2025

Since 2010, the Cleveland International Hall of Fame (CIHF) has inducted people who have made significant and lasting contributions to our multicultural society. Cleveland is home to people representing about 120 different ethnic groups. The CIHF exists not only to honor those special people but also to inspire a new generation of leaders to follow in their footsteps.

Over 100 worthy candidates were nominated for the 2025 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame. The selection committee was advised by previously inducted members of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame.

David Gilbert

GCSC attracts, creates, manages and enhances significant sporting and competitive events. Since 2000, the organization has attracted over 260 events including the NFL Draft, MLB All-Star Game, NBA All-Star Weekend and NCAA Women's Final Four. These events have contributed $1 billion in local economic impact.

David leads the Destination Cleveland team to carry out the organization's mission of stimulating economic growth by attracting people and connecting them to experiences that illustrate Cleveland's diversity, creativity, and contagious passion. Under his leadership, efforts to promote Cleveland as an exciting, vibrant destination have contributed to 20% visitation growth and a 40% increase in visitor-generated direct sales since 2011. Additionally, Cuyahoga County's annual visitation growth rate has consistently outpaced the domestic visitation growth rate during his tenure.

David is an ambassador for Cleveland around the globe. He led the effort to attract some of the largest international events in Cleveland's history: the 2004 International Children's Games, 2014 Gay Games and 2024 Pan Am Masters Games. Both the Children's Games and the Pan-Am Masters Games were held in the United States for the first time because of David's advocacy, with each event serving as a platform to engage, highlight and coalesce Cleveland's international communities. Following Cleveland's successful hosting of the 2004 Children's Games, he served 17 years on the board and executive committee of International Children's Games organization. He was the only Board member from the United States - proudly representing Cleveland.

David also dedicates his time to several organizations. He serves as Chair of the North Coast Waterfront Development Corporation Board and as a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland, and many other local and national organization Boards of Directors. David earned a bachelor's degree in marketing from The Ohio State University and an MBA from Cleveland State University. He holds an honorary doctorate from Baldwin-Wallace University.

David Gilbert is being inducted by Global Cleveland CEO Joe Cimperman

Congratulations David