Grants Plus Company Retreat – October 16-18, 2024
We are so excited to see everyone in person! We hope this guide will serve as your “go-to” throughout the retreat. Please bookmark it for reference.
Most of our primary retreat locations are in University Circle in Cleveland, OH.
Hotel Information:
Glidden House (yes, it’s the paint family!)
1901 Ford Dr.
Cleveland, OH 44106
216-231-8900
Reminder: Check-in date varies depending on the timing of your first meeting and proximity to Cleveland. Unless you’ve arranged otherwise, everyone spends the night of Thursday, October 17 at Glidden House – even if you live in Cleveland. If you are not sure when your check-in date is, please ask Allison.
Glidden House has an on-site Lounge that is open from 4pm-until the crowd thins out each evening.
From Tuesday-Thursday from 4pm-10pm, drinks from the Lounge can be charged directly to GP’s tab. Please ask a member of the retreat planning committee for the passcode.
Room, Taxes, and Parking will be billed directly to Grants Plus. You will be required to show your ID and credit card at check-in to cover any potential incidentals.
Meeting/Conference Rooms:
Linsalata Alumni Center at Case Western Reserve University
11310 Juniper Rd.
Cleveland, OH 44106
ET/LT Meetings (happening prior to retreat):
COSE Meeting Rooms
1240 Huron Rd E #300
Cleveland, OH 44115
View key points of interest via the interactive Google Map linked below
https://maps.app.goo.gl/vuJ1zSJbREs2puCeA
Schedule (click on dates to expand)
Tuesday, October 15th (ET/LT only)
ET/LT ONLY: Lauren Steiner, Gail Dancy Heim, Charlie MacMillan, Abby Teare, Jessica Salyers, John Manning, Kari Elsila, Laura Altieri, Sondra Matthews
| Time | Activity | Who | Where |
| Morning | ET/LT Travel (as needed) | ET/LT | Misc. |
| 12:00pm | Meet at COSE | ET/LT | COSE (Council of Smaller Enterprises) 1240 Huron Rd E, Cleveland, OH 44115 Key Bank Conference Room (132) |
| 12-12:30pm | Lunch | ET/LT | Harvest Owl delivery |
| 12:30pm | ET/LT Q4 Planning Meeting (Part 1) | ET/LT | COSE |
| 5:00pm | Dinner | ET/LT | District 1350 Euclid Avenue Entrance on East 14th St. Across from the Hanna Theatre Cleveland, OH 44115 |
| 8:00pm | Activity | ET/LT | 5 Iron 1101 Euclid Ave Cleveland, OH 44115 |
Wednesday, October 16th
ET/LT ONLY: Lauren Steiner, Gail Dancy Heim, Charlie MacMillan, Abby Teare, Jessica Salyers, John Manning, Kari Elsila, Laura Altieri, Sondra Matthews
| Time | Activity | Who | Where |
| 7:00am | Glidden House breakfast | (available starting at 7am to those staying Tuesday night at the hotel) | Glidden House |
| 8-8:30am | Head to meeting venue | ET/LT | COSE (Council of Smaller Enterprises) 1240 Huron Rd E, Cleveland, OH 44115 Key Bank Conference Room |
| 9am-1pm | ET/LT Q4 Planning Meeting (Part 2) | ET/LT | COSE (Council of Smaller Enterprises) 1240 Huron Rd E, Cleveland, OH 44115 Key Bank Conference Room |
| 1:00pm | ET/LT Lunch | ET/LT | TBD – or delivery to COSE |
| After lunch | Head back to Gidden House/ break | ET/ LT | Glidden House |
| Early Evening | Join full group for Happy Hour | ET/LT | Michelson & Morley 11038 Bellflower Rd. (located inside Tinkham Veale University Center) |
ALL
| Time and Where | Activity | Details |
| Daytime (various) Glidden House 1901 Ford Dr. Cleveland, OH 44106 | Folks from outside of NE Ohio arrive and check into Glidden House | Please see below for information on travel coordination, reimbursement, and per diem. – If you have a car, we recommend parking it in Glidden House’s adjacent self-park lot for the duration of the retreat. Parking at Glidden House will be charged directly to GP. – Hotel check in is officially 4pm. You are welcome to ask the front desk if your room is ready if you arrive earlier, but they cannot guarantee availability. If your room is not ready, you can hang out in the hotel’s Loggia or in numerous other quiet work spots on the Case Western Reserve Campus. (The Coffee House at University Circle, Tinkham Veale University Center, etc.) |
| 5:30pm-8pm Glidden House 1901 Ford Dr. Cleveland, OH 44106 Michelson & Morley 11038 Bellflower Rd. (located inside Tinkham Veale University Center) Cleveland Museum of Art 11150 East Blvd. | Kickoff Event – Michelson & Morley Happy Hour & Explore University Circle | What to expect: Starting at 5:30pm, come to Michelson & Morley where there will be heavy appetizers and an open bar (alcoholic and non-alcoholic options)! – Please note that Michelson & Morley is located inside the Tinkham Veale University Center at Case Western University Campus. It’s a huge building. Once you’re inside, simply follow the directional signs to Michelson & Morley. From happy hour, groups are welcome to break off and explore the highlights of University Circle. Our recommendations are: – Make yourself comfortable and stay at Michelson and Morley until 8pm! The space is ours. – The Cleveland Museum of Art – FREE and open until 9pm! – Head back to Glidden House, grab a drink at the Lounge and hang out in the Loggia for (bring your own) crafts and/or conversation. – Other – create your own adventure! Where do I park? If you are staying at Glidden House, leave your car there! All locations are walkable. If you are coming in just for this event, choose metered street parking or a garage near Glidden House or the Tinkham Veale University Center. Expense your parking in Klient – code to RETREAT. University Circle Safety: All locations are located in a well-populated college campus area in the city of Cleveland. There is active security and foot-traffic well into the evening, but we recommend always traveling in pairs or small groups. |
Thursday, October 17th
| Time | Activity | Details |
| 7 – 7:30am Glidden House Loggia | Breakfast for retreat setup crew in Glidden House Loggia. Allison, Lauren DaDante, Cari Catts, Sarah Mehler, Anita, Sondra, Michelle. Head to Alumni House at 7:30am. | |
| 7:30-8:30am Glidden House Loggia | Breakfast for all GP staff in Glidden House Loggia | Who is invited? Breakfast is available and prepaid for everyone (unless you opted out). Please meet colleagues and take an opportunity to sit with someone you don’t often work with! If you are checking into the hotel on Thursday, please park your car at Glidden House’s self-park lot when you arrive for breakfast. You can leave your bags with the front desk until your room is ready later in the day. |
| 8:30am-8:45am | Retreat Check In at Linsalata Alumni House | Where do I go, and what do I do? Between 8:30-8:40am, walk to Alumni House – 2 minutes from Glidden House. Check in and explore this cool space! Claim your SWAG pack, grab a coffee, refill your water bottle, and get settled in a seat – ready to start promptly at 8:45am |
| 8:45am-9:45am Linsalata Alumni House | Welcome and Kickoff | Visioning Session led by Lauren Steiner |
| 9:45am-10am Linsalata Alumni House | Break | Coffee, tea, water, and light snacks will be available at the Alumni House. |
| 10am-11:30am Linsalata Alumni House | PD Session: GP Roundtables | Everyone will pick three roundtable sessions to attend, each lasting 25 minutes. Topics include: – Solutions-oriented problem solving – Virtual meeting presence – Saboteurs and Sages – Advising Clients to Create Aligned & Compelling Budgets |
| 11:30am-1pm Various | Lunch & Optional Headshots Group 1: Aladdin’s Eatery (dine in restaurant): Matt (w/Sarah and Lauren) Sarah M. Charlie (w/ Hannah and Kari) Hannah Lauren S. Kari E. Group 2: Luna Café and Bakery: Christine G. Kelly H. Jodi Lauren D. Stephanie (carpools with whole Luna group, minus Marissa) Jane Marissa H (driving herself/leaving 10 minutes late after headshot) Note for Luna folks: this is a counter service/seat yourself restaurant. You may need to split up into 2 tables, and orders tend to take a little while to come out. That’s normal – do not worry 🙂 Group 3: Pacific East: Rochelle Anita Cari (w/Rochelle, Anita, and Erin) Abby (driving herself) Erin Group 4: Tommy’s on Coventry: Michelle Kristi R. (w/Michelle) Gail Christina S. Laura A. (w/Gail, Christina, and Jessica) Jessica Group 5: Headshot/Aladdin’s Takeout group: Ann Kelley M Chris G Christopher Allison John Sondra Headshot schedule: 11:30am: Marissa (asap – then leave for lunch group) 12pm: Ann 12:10pm: Kelley 12:20pm: Chris G 12:30pm: Christopher 12:40pm: Allison | How does this work? You’ve been matched up with this group solely based on your taste in cuisine! Group members in bold are confirmed carpool drivers. There is no valet at Glidden House, so you can go right to your car and bring it back to the Glidden House lot at the end of lunch. Please keep your receipt from lunch and expense your meal or parking, if applicable! Headshot/Aladdin’s takeout group FAQ: Why am I in this group? This time is to accommodate the folks who wanted headshots and also to participate in volunteering. You’ll have lunch come to you on-site at the Alumni House from Aladdin’s (Allison will coordinate orders). You’ll still get the benefits of the dine-around because, oddly enough, this group all had the same taste in cuisine! Headshots FAQ: Each person will have approximately 10 minutes for the headshots. Please be ready to rotate in and out of lunch when it’s your turn. There are ample restrooms and places to change and freshen up in the Alumni House. |
| 1:15pm-2:45pm Linsalata Alumni House | PD Session: Jolene Lane | Please complete first 3 questions of IDP packet in advance. Photographers will be taking candid photos and videos throughout this session. |
| 3pm-5:30pm Various | Volunteer Time and Rest/Optional Headshots GROUPS: Group 1: Cleveland Botanical Garden Group Leader: Cari Catts Participants: Kelley Malcolm, Kristi Reed, Chris Gaussiran, Hannah Everett, Cari Catts, Jane Wise, Charlie MacMillan, Christina Skasa, Christopher Breakell 2:45pm-3:00pm – walk back to Glidden House/quick change Meet Cari at 3:00pm in Glidden House Lobby – walk to Botanical Gardens Volunteer activity from 3:15pm-5:30pm (may end early) Wrap up by 5:30pm – walk back to Glidden House (5min) Group 2: CLE Food Bank (13815 Coit Rd.) Group Leader: Christine Guillory Participants: Matt Carter, Rochelle Tobias, Ann Cavalancia, Marissa Hoffman, Christine Guillory, Kelly Howard, Anita Tucker, Lauren DaDante, Stephanie Trenton, Lauren Steiner 2:45pm-3:00pm – walk back to Glidden House/quick change Meet Christine at 3pm in Glidden House Lobby Shuttle Drivers (coordinated by Rochelle) will drive 2 Suburbans (each can accommodate 6 passengers) 15 minutes to Greater Cleveland Food Bank. Volunteering time 3:15-5:00 5:00pm – SUVs leave GCFB and head back to Glidden House (15 min) Group 3: Headshots/Coworking/Refresh Group Headshot schedule TBC: 2:50pm: Kristi 3pm: Gail 3:10pm: Michelle 3:20pm: Matt 3:30pm: John 3:40pm: Jodi 3:50pm: Erin 4pm: Kari | Official hotel check in time is 4pm for anyone not already checked in. Alumni House is available for us to co-work and hang out until approximately 5pm. |
| 5pm-6pm Glidden House | Break for Everyone at Glidden House – freshen up for dinner | |
| 6pm-6:20pm | Travel to Dinner We’ve arranged the following shuttles which will leave promptly at the times listed below, and loop back to Glidden House: – 6:00pm departure group – Afternoon break/headshot group – 6:10pm departure group – Food Bank Volunteer Group – 6:20pm departure group – Botanical Garden Volunteer Group | Michaelangelo’s is very close to the hotel but just far enough that you don’t want to walk in “dressy casual” clothes, especially if the weather is iffy. If you mess up and don’t catch your shuttle, there is also parking available at Michealangelo’s. However, if you are consuming alcohol, please drive responsibly. |
| 6:00pm-8:30pm | Dinner! At Michaelangelo’s in Little Italy | 4-course family-style dinner with fish, chicken, beef, and vegetarian options. All dietary needs have been communicated and are able to be accommodated. Wine and water will be available at tables, but you’re welcome to visit the bar for another drink of your choice. Dinner entertainment? It’s a surprise! |
| 8:15-8:30pm Glidden House | Travel back to Glidden House: Shuttle 1 at 8:20pm Shuttle 2 at 8:30pm Shuttle 3 at 8:40pm |
Friday, October 18th
| Time and Where | Activity | Details |
| 7:45 -8:45am Glidden House Loggia | Breakfast for all at Glidden House Loggia Please take this opportunity to have breakfast with someone you didn’t have breakfast with yesterday! | We recommend getting packed up and checked out of your hotel room prior to 8:45am. You can leave bags with the hotel desk or bring with you to the Alumni House. |
| 8:45 -9am | Walk to Alumni House – 2 minutes | |
| 9 – 10:15am | PD Session: Sondra Matthews | |
| 10:15 – 10:45am Linsalata Alumni House Lobby | Break/Snacks/Optional Stretch Session | 10:15-10:30am – Break for all 10:30-10:45am – optional Stretch and Move session led by our resident GP personal trainer, Chris G.! (this is completely optional – feel free to use this break time however you’d like). Snacks provided by caterers will be available in Alumni House Lobby. Last chance for hotel checkout. |
| 10:45 – 12:00pm | Closing Session presented by Lauren Steiner | Presentation + interactive activities in breakout groups |
| 12:00 – 12:30pm | Final Wrap Up – Laura Altieri and John Manning | |
| 12:30 – 1:30pm Linsalata Alumni House | Lunch – Boxed Lunches catered by Bon Appetit in Alumni House | |
| 1:30pm – ?? | Travel Home (various) Optional Mitchell’s Ice Cream (Uptown) and/or Little Italy dessert field trip – No RSVPs required. No formal coordination of groups/group leaders. – Opt in or out based on feelings 🙂 – Recommend spots: Presti’s, Corbo’s, or Mitchell’s Ice Cream | Allison will send around flight information. Feel free to coordinate Uber/Lyft with colleagues who are leaving at similar times. Alumni House common areas are available for quiet relaxation space/working/coworking until 5pm – but other (non-GP folks, e.g. actual Case Western alumni) might also be in the space after 2:30pm. |
Travel expense guidelines.
Mileage incurred while traveling may be reimbursed at the current IRS rate of 65.5 cents per mile. Please record the mileage as a part of your monthly expenses.
For individuals flying into Cleveland, GP will book your flight, or reimburse you for a flight you purchase (please connect with Jodi to confirm/approve your itinerary before purchasing). Ground transportation between the Cleveland airport and University Circle will be reimbursed. We recommend Uber or Lyft as the most efficient and affordable transportation option.
Meals/Per Diem.
All meals will be provided for the duration of the retreat (Wednesday dinner-Friday lunch). Meals for those participating in ET/LT meetings before Wednesday evening will also be arranged. The optional Wednesday evening activity includes dinner/heavy hors d’oeuvres. Snacks and water will be available throughout the retreat. Outside of these meals, Grants Plus will provide travelers a $70 daily per diem (inclusive of taxes and tips). Eligible employees will be reimbursed for meals and incidentals based on rates in the table below:
Per diem rates are as follows:
$15 – Breakfast
$20 – Lunch
$30 – Dinner
$5 – Incidentals (covers fees and tips given to porters, baggage carriers and hotel staff)
Weather and Attire.
The requested attire for our event is dressy casual. Examples of this attire include a dress, skirt, slacks, nice jeans, dress shirt, button-down shirt, and/or a polo shirt.
Cleveland weather during October can vary dramatically. We recommend looking at the forecast 1-2 days before you leave for guidance. The meeting rooms may be chilly, and the weather may be warm, cold, sunny, or rainy! A sweater or light/medium jacket is recommended.
There will be some walks ranging from 5-10 minutes outdoors between our host hotel, the retreat venue, and other activities. Please bring appropriate footwear and an umbrella if rain is in the forecast.
For individuals participating in group volunteering, please bring one set of casual, comfortable clothing, including closed-toe shoes, that you do not mind getting a little messy.
Promotional photos and videos will be taken throughout the retreat.
There will also be an opportunity to retake headshots. There are large, modern restrooms available in the Alumni House for changing and touching up prior to your headshots.
Other Items to Bring.
Bringing your GP laptop is suggested but optional. While computers will not be required for any of our sessions, you may prefer to have yours with you to check work email during breaks, or to take notes during sessions. Typically, GP does not cover the cost of a checked bag for a trip this short, even when laptops are required. However, if you anticipate any issues with that policy, please contact Sondra.
We also suggest a refillable water bottle (there will be a water station for refillable bottles this time!)
Be sure to leave a little extra room to take home your GP SWAG!
Accessibility and Accommodations.
The hotel is a fully accessible venue as are other meeting venues and restaurants. There will be travel to area restaurants and meeting spaces.
Please let Sondra know if you need accommodations for travel, including consideration for canes, walkers, wheelchairs, etc. Please also indicate if you have any other accommodation needs for visual, hearing, or other unseen disabilities or impairments.
We will provide a secure and private space for any employee who needs a lactation break. For location details, please reach out to Sondra.