Explanation
BACKGROUND: Passage of this ordinance will enable Columbus City Council, in accordance with Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Code, to expend up to $110,000.00 from the Jobs Growth Fund to enter into a contract with IT Martini for the planning and hosting of the 2014 KickStart marketplace product contest event. The marketplace product contest (currently known as WidgetPitch) is part of the KickStart business development initiative and is a competitive contest focusing specifically on business products, and allows finalists to present business ideas, concepts, and products to an investor panel for potential private funding.
IT Martini, with its proven success in hosting numerous annual regional events, each with an average attendance of over 500, is an appropriate and logical partner to host the KickStart marketplace product contest. Specific activities and services the City will receive in exchange for contract dollars include; development of a registration website; email campaign management; celebrity keynote speaker interview and publication; social media campaign management; and arrangement of event space and equipment rental.
Support of this project and event aligns with Columbus City Council's priority of promoting opportunities for small business development, job creation, and technology integration into worker skill sets.
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes an expenditure of up to $110,000.00 from the Jobs Growth Fund for the sponsorship and hosting of the City of Columbus KickStart marketplace product contest. City Council added funding to the Jobs Growth Fund as part of its 2014 budget amendments specifically for this program.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: It is requested that this Ordinance be handled in an emergency manner due to the time sensitive deadlines.
Title
To authorize Columbus City Council to enter into a contract with IT Martini for the planning and hosting of the 2014 KickStart marketplace product contest; to authorize a...
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