We’ve written before about what NCAA student-athletes receive at big-name games like the college football bowl games and NCAA basketball tournament.
But what about all of the other people who attend the games — namely the press? It turns out the city of Cleveland made things extra special for visiting journalists in town to cover the Women’s Final Four with branded kits that represent the city’s culture and local businesses.
The kit, put together by Destination Cleveland, includes snacks from local woman-owned businesses like Sweet Bean Chocolates, Crosby Corn, Terranean Pita Chips, and more, according to Cleveland.com.
Each product came with a short bio for each business owner, so the journalists not only got a sense of the products, but of the people who made them. It tied in nicely with a note that said, ““In Cleveland, our people are our greatest asset. Meet the people behind these locally made products whose creativity, determination and hustle are as inspiring as the female student athletes we’ll see on the court this weekend.”
Also included in the kit is a water bottle and mug with “Cleveland” printed on them; a miniature leg lamp ornament from “A Christmas Story,” which was filmed in Cleveland; and a Cleveland Cavaliers rally towel.
It’s simple, but it effectively captures a whole city’s history and present day. It uses real people who live and work in Cleveland to connect with visitors, and introduces them to new things while referencing household names, like NBA teams and movies.
