Explanation
BACKGROUND:
This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a grant agreement with the Greater Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau Inc., dba Experience Columbus, for the purpose of providing support to the organization in its efforts to market Columbus for sporting events, conferences, and convention planning activities and to authorize an expenditure in an amount up to $750,000.00.
Experience Columbus is an organization whose vision is to be the leading force in creating and revealing the best of the Columbus Experience to the world. The mission of Experience Columbus is to sell, market, and promote the “Destination Columbus” experience to visitors. Columbus is increasingly seen as a destination city and host candidate for major national conferences and conventions. These events result in tens of thousands of visitors to Columbus and millions of dollars in direct and indirect spending, supporting a significant number of jobs and businesses in Central Ohio
In 2023 Columbus will host the annual meetings for the Professional Management Convention Association (PCMA) and US Conference of Mayors.
PCMA is one of the world’s largest, most-respected, and most recognized network of business strategists. The organization helps members become industry leaders through education, networking, and conferences. PCMA’s 2023 annual Convening Leaders will welcome 4,500+ association, corporate, government and agency decision makers in-person with an additional 1,000+ digital attendee’s representing over 25 countries.
The US Conference of Mayors is the official non-partisan organization of cities with a population of 30,000 and larger represented by their chief elected officials, over 1,400 mayors. 60% of attendees bring their families to the annual conference. The primary roles of the conference are advocacy, best practices, business connections, promote your city, and networking. Hosting this high-profile conference will elevate Columbus’ image nationally and globally.
Emergency legislation is requested in order to prevent interruption in the delivery of program services.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funds will be transferred from the General Fund Citywide Account to the Department of Development General Fund budget.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: the vendor number is 006014 and renewal is pending.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a grant agreement with Greater Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau Inc., dba Experience Columbus, for the purpose of providing support to the organization in its efforts to market Columbus for sporting events, conferences, and convention planning activities in an amount up to $750,000.00; to authorize a transfer within the General Fund in an amount up to $750,000.00; to authorize an expenditure in an amount up to $750,000.00 from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($750,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Experience Columbus serves as a key partner in marketing Columbus as a destination city and in attracting conferences and conventions to the City of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, Experience Columbus would like to continue to serve as a key partner in marketing Columbus as a destination city and in attracting conferences and conventions to the City of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus would like to continue providing support to Experience Columbus in its efforts to market the City of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, in 2023, the City of Columbus will host the annual conferences for the Professional Management Convention Association and the US Conference of Mayors; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into a grant agreement with Greater Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau, dba Experience Columbus; to authorize the Auditor to appropriate and expend said funds for Experience Columbus in order to prevent interruption of services, thereby preserving the public health, peace, property and safety; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the transfer of $750,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 1000 (General Fund), from Dept-Div 45-01 (Financial Management), object class 10 (Transfer Out Operating) to Dept-Div 44-01 (Administration), object class 03 (Services) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance:
SECTION 2. That the Director of the Department of Development is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement with Greater Columbus Convention & Visitor’s Bureau dba Experience Columbus in an amount up to $750,000.00 for the purpose of providing support to the organization in its efforts to market Columbus for sporting events, conferences, and convention planning activities.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $750,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed is hereby authorized in Fund 1000 (General Fund), Dept-Div 44-01 (Administration), Object Class 03 (Services), per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That this contract is awarded in accordance with the relevant provisions of City Code.
SECTION 4. Funds are hereby deemed appropriated and expenditures and transfers authorized to carry out the purposes of this ordinance and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 5. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 6. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.