Explanation
This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a grant agreement with the 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 to authorize an expenditure in an amount up to $650,000.00.
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. $500,000 will be used to support Experience Columbus in serving as a key partner in marketing Columbus as a destination city and in attracting conferences and conventions to Central Ohio.
In 2023 Columbus will host the annual meetings for the Professional Management Convention Association and US Conference of Mayors. $150,000 will support the development and planning efforts of both conferences.
PCMA is one of the world’s largest, most-respected, and most recognized network of business strategists. The organization helps members become industry leaders through education, networking, and conferences. PCMA’s 2023 annual Convening Leaders will welcome 4,500+ association, corporate, government and agency decision makers in-person with an additional 1,000+ digital attendee’s representing over 25 countries.
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