Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a grant agreement with Experience Columbus in support of the organization's efforts to market Columbus for sporting events, conferences, and convention planning activities.
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 2018, Columbus hosted the NCAA Women's Final Four. In 2019, Columbus will host the American Society of Association Executives Annual Meeting & Exposition, which on its own will attract 5,000 attendees, filling 16,800 hotel rooms. Experience Columbus serves as a key partner in marketing Columbus as a destination city and in attracting conference and conventions, and this funding will facilitate the organization's efforts.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund and the Recreation and Parks operating fund.
Emergency action is requested in order to avoid any delay in conference planning activities by Experience Columbus.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a grant agreement with Experience Columbus in support of conference and convention planning activities; to authorize an appropriation and expenditure within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund; to authorize an appropriation and expenditure within the Recreation and Parks operating fund; and to declare an emergency. ($100,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Columbus is increasingly seen as a destination city and host candidate for major national conferences and conventions; and
WHEREAS, these events result in tens of thousands of visitors to Columbus and millions of dollars in direct and indirect spending; and
WHEREAS, Experience Columbus serves as a key partne...
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