David Ginsburg
David Ginsburg is the Chief Executive Officer of
Downtown Cincinnati, Inc. (DCI). DCI is a non-profit business organization with a mission to build a dynamic metropolitan center valued as the heart of the region. Ginsburg has been part of Downtown Cincinnati Inc. (DCI) since joining the organization at its inception as Vice President of Retail Development in 1994. For more than 15 years, he has been a leading member of the civic team working to achieve DCI's mission "to build downtown Cincinnati as a dynamic metropolitan center valued as the heart of the region." In July 2002, David was appointed Interim President and led the organization through a comprehensive effort to re-focus its services addressing the evolving needs of the city’s dynamic downtown. In December 2002, he was named President and CEO.
Prior to joining DCI, David spent more than 23 years in the retail industry. Ginsburg began his career with Marshall Field's in Chicago holding a variety of management positions including Buyer and Assistant General Manager - Merchandising of the flagship State Street store. He moved to Cincinnati in 1987 to take a position with U.S. Shoe Corporation and was Director of Independent Concept programs providing merchandising and operational assistance to more than 300 stores nationwide.
David serves on the Board of Directors of The Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, The Greater Cincinnati Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), The Cincinnati Arts Association, WCPO-TV’s Advisory Board and the Board of Executive Advisors in Real Estate for the University of Cincinnati College of Business. He is a member of CEOs for Cities, the International Downtown Association, International Council for Economic Development and the International Council of Shopping Centers.
David is a native of the Chicago area where he attended Northwestern University. He lives in Cincinnati's Hyde Park neighborhood with his wife Pam, an attorney, and their "pets/kids," Bagels, D-Day and Truman.
Posted By: David Ginsburg
Posted: 12/3/2009
A great new holiday tradition downtown is CelebriTrees. Famous (and not so famous) local "celebrities" decorate Christmas trees which are displayed downtown at Tower Place. After being on display they are sold and the money raised goes to Tender Mercies. Tender Mercies is a wonderful organization that provides housing and related social services to homeless persons with histories of emotional and/or mental disabilities.
For the second year in a row, I had the honor of serving as a CelebriTrees "judge" with Jim Moll and Brian Tiffany. My assistant, Tricia Casey, joins me because she has exquisite taste and loves the event. The four of us carefully examined the 65 beautifully decorated trees to determine winners in several categories. Each of the trees showed imagination, cleverness and tireless effort. Some were traditional, others whimsical. All were exceptionally well-done.
It was also good to spend time with Angela Ratliff and Russell Winters of Tender Mercies. They, and other social service agencies in our community, do important and effective work to help those in need. Supporting these agencies is a great way to give-back in a meaningful way that gets long-term results.
One of the nicest parts of my holiday season is getting to participate in CelebriTrees. I hope you will join Tender Mercies at one of their many events surrounding CelebriTrees. Find out more
here.
Posted By: David Ginsburg
Posted: 12/2/2009
BTW - many text messagers think this means "by-the-way" but to me it means "back-to-work."
The long Thanksgiving weekend was nice, but I for one, am glad to get back into routine. I arrive downtown just before dawn and drop my dog , Truman, off at the Pet Athletic Club on Reedy Street. I love having my dog "go to work" with me and his caretaker, Jodi, at the PAC always has smiles and kisses for him.
I circle back on Gilbert and come into downtown on Eighth Street. Downtown is transforming! I notice the building that KZF Architects is renovating and the new daycare center being built by P&G and see progress on every corner. Have you seen the "green" building on Sycamore that Kelly Farrish has renovated into law offices. What about the "Green Source," across from the Library? Ez Housh has resurrected a historic building to be a model of sustainable development for the 21st century. Indeed, downtown has a real concentration of "creative class" businesses that continues to grow.
As I drive into downtown, the DCI Ambassadors are ubiquitous. They are putting the finishing touches on cleaning up after a busy Thanksgiving weekend and another big Bengals win. I stop at a light and watch them closely. They are saying "good morning" and chatting with downtown workers and making everyone feel welcome.
It is good to be BTW (my definition).
Posted By: David Ginsburg
Posted: 12/1/2009
It is the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and I am in my office, looking at the quiet streets below that will be crowded with holiday shoppers and visitors on Friday.
Memories of my more than 25 years in the retail business flow through my mind. In a "previous life" I worked for Marshall Field's (now Macy's) in Chicago. I started in the stockroom and went on to become a department manager, buyer and then Assistant General Manager at the downtown store.
For retailers, the holiday season is often "make or break." A huge portion of sales and profits come between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Days are long and days off few and far between. Retailers worry about everything -inventory levels, best-sellers, weather, the economy and on and on. After Christmas, there are post-holiday returns and sales often followed by taking inventory.
I can feel my heart speed up and nervous energy beginning to flow. Even though I am not in the retail business anymore, the excitement will always be a part of me. I love the crowds, the stores, the restaurants, the smells and décor of the holiday season. For a retailer, it is "game day."
Downtown Cincinnati is gorgeous during the holidays and it gets better every year with new restaurants, stores and attractions like Fountain Square and the Gateway Quarter. I hope you will not only visit downtown, but bring your friends and family this year.
…and save a thought for the retailers who are probably not relaxed at all this season.