With financial participation from more than 25 Downtown business owners and attractions, the Downtown Akron Partnership (DAP) will oversee a $350,000 campaign to lure customers to Downtown attractions, nightspots and events. Plusquellic said the campaign is unprecedented in Downtown’s history, and recognizes the advancement of Downtown Akron as the center of the nation’s fifth largest entertainment market.

Mayor Plusquellic praised the coalition of groups - - public and private - - who have invested in the Do Downtown campaign and thanked the more than 60 individuals who have been meeting since last summer. Their collaboration has resulted in the development of a new web portal that will promote Downtown activities and a brand new rewards program for visitors.

Dan Dahl, vice president of marketing for DAP and director of E.J. Thomas Hall and the Civic Theatre said that the campaign will use the dual incentives to make it easy and affordable for people to visit Downtown.

"By creating a new web portal for Downtown Akron — there is now just one place that will have everything a visitor needs to navigate an evening’s entertainment," Dahl said. "By going to www.downtownakron.com, visitors can find all the fun they’re looking for - - restaurants and night spots, shows and concerts, with information about parking and directions to their destination as well," Dahl said.

The Do Downtown discount card will be good for special offers and discounts at participating downtown businesses. These "Prime Partners" will offer incentives for all there is to do downtown, including dining, entertainment, arts, sports and recreation, nightlife and shopping. After June 1, the card will be available free to all who register at select locations, or online at www.downtownakron.com.

The Akron Aeros, one of the partners who have already committed to the program, will offer Do Downtown cardholders who purchase one full-price reserved ticket for any Tuesday home game, a second ticket free for the same game.

"We’ve received overwhelming support from Downtown businesses," Dahl said. "Based on the number of Prime Partners that have signed on, and the generous offers and discounts they have planned, we expect the Do Downtown card to carry a significant value."

The new marketing initiative is the product of a citizen-driven planning initiative called Imagine.Downtown Akron: 2025, announced by Mayor Plusquellic in his 2004 State of the City message as a follow-up to the successful Imagine.Akron visioning process completed in 2000. The mayor had encouraged new groups of citizens -- in this case 60 with Downtown interests -- to develop action plans aimed at making Akron a premier place to live and work. The committee will continue its work, focusing on new signs, improving parking and amenities for Downtown visitors, and inspiring new efforts by art groups and artists to make Downtown more interesting, more fun and a place to which people are drawn.