Explanation
This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a contract 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 and authorize an expenditure in an amount up to $500,000.00.
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 2019, Columbus was the host to the American Society of Association Executives Annual Meeting & Exposition. This event attracted more than 5,000 visitors. In 2018, Columbus hosted the NCAA Women’s Final Four basketball tournament. Experience Columbus will continue to serve as a key partner in marketing Columbus as a destination city and in attracting conferences and conventions to Central Ohio.
Emergency legislation is requested in order to prevent interruption of services.
Fiscal Impact: The funding for this contract is available in the Administration Division’s 2020 General Fund budget.
Contract Compliance: the vendor number is 006014 and valid through 1/7/2022.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a contract 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 $500,000.00; to authorize an expenditure in an amount up to $500,000.00; and to declare an emergency. ($500,000.00)
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, events such as the American Society of Association Executives Annual Meeting & Exposition, of 2019, attracted over 5,000 visitors; and
WHEREAS, the NCAA Women’s Final Four basketball tournament, of 2018, resulted 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; and
WHEREAS, Experience Columbus would like to continue to 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, the City of Columbus would like to continue providing support to Experience Columbus in its efforts to market the City of Columbus; 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 contract with Experience Columbus in order to prevent interruption of services, such immediate action being necessary for the preservation of the public health, peace, property and safety; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Development is hereby authorized to enter into a contract with Greater Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau Inc., dba Experience Columbus, for the purpose of providing support to the organization’s efforts to market Columbus for sporting events, conferences and various convention planning activities.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $500,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 1000 (General Fund), Dept-Div 44-01 (Administration), in 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 Chapter 329 relating to not-for-profit service contracts.
SECTION 4. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, 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 the passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.