Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the Finance and Management Director to enter into contract with the Greater Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau, dba Experience Columbus, for destination marketing services to increase tourism and convention business in Columbus. Furthermore, the disbursement of the Hotel/Motel excise tax proceeds in accordance with Section 371.02(c) of the Columbus City Codes which, in part, designates a portion of funds for the purpose of promoting and publicizing the City of Columbus as a desirable location for conventions, trade shows, and similar events. In fulfilling this public purpose, Experience Columbus often hosts potential clients, industry representative, meeting planners and the media. This ordinance permits Experience Columbus to utilize a portion of their Hotel/Motel Excise Tax disbursement to supplement other non-public revenue to cover the costs of food and non-alcoholic beverages directly related to business development and the promotion of the City of Columbus. The portion of the 2025 Hotel/Motel Excise Tax designated for the promotion and publicizing the City of Columbus and appropriated to Experience Columbus is projected to be $13,904,000.00 No more than ten percent (10%) of that amount may be used for the public purpose of funding the purchase of food and non-alcoholic beverages directly tied to when Experience Columbus hosts potential clients, industry representatives, meeting planners and the media. That amount is subject to an annual audit.
Experience Columbus is the county convention and visitors bureau and provides marketing services to increase tourism and convention business. These services require expertise that cannot be provided by current city employees.
Greater Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau dba Experience Columbus, FID: 314153118, CC#: CC-006014 (non-profit).
Emergency action is requested so that tax proceeds can be disbursed without delay to ensure timely payments so that m...
Click here for full text