Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Finance & Management to contract with Experience Columbus, to provide support to explore bidding for the Republican National Convention (RNC) and Democratic National Conventions (DNC) for 2020. These political conventions can attract in excess of $100 million in visitor spending at events, but also invaluable exposure and public relations/marketing value to a host city. Hosting such a convention entails a massive community effort, requiring public/private collaboration to raise funds, plan, and execute with the highest levels of security and professionalism. Experience Columbus will act as lead agency, with anticipated partner support from the City of Columbus, Franklin County and the Columbus Partnership in this exploration. These Central Ohio organizations will continue the planning that began in the previous convention bid cycle, and engage other partners in exploring options for 2020 and beyond. The convention bid cycle for 2020 will mostly occur in 2016, and that process itself requires significant partner engagement and funding. In 2016, resources shall be used to advance Columbus' awareness among key decision makers for the DNC and RNC Conventions, to be hosted in Cleveland, OH and Philadelphia, PA. This may include special events in these cities, travel, marketing activities and materials, general outreach activities and other collaborative efforts.
Experience Columbus, Contract Compliance #: 31-4153118 004 (non-profit)
Emergency action is requested so that an immediate payment can be made to Experience Columbus.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding for this contract is available in the 2016 General Fund budget.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Finance & Management to enter into an agreement with Experience Columbus to provide support for 2016 advocacy for the RNC and DNC National Political Conventions; to authorize the expenditure of $15,000.00 from...
Click here for full text