By Jeff McKinney
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The Greater Cincinnati Tall Stacks Commission Inc. will receive a top marketing award this week for its community efforts.

The group, organizer of the big steamboat extravaganza, will receive the third annual Community Impact Award for 2003 from the Cincinnati Chapter of the American Marketing Association.

"Cincinnati's image is at a pivotal point, which is why the Cincinnati AMA wanted to honor those visionary groups that promote and unify our city," said Rich Bitting, present of Cincinnati chapter.

The presentation will be at the marketing group's "Cause Marketing" luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday at the Montgomery Inn Banquet Center.

The event will include a keynote speech by George A. Schaefer Jr., president and CEO of Fifth Third Bank.

Schaefer will talk about how Fifth Third uses the "Cause Marketing" concept and how other groups can use it to help achieve their goals.

The luncheon is open to the public. For details on the costs and reservations, call 784-2373 or visit www.cincinnati.marketingpower.com.

E-mail jmckinney@enquirer.com