About Us

Experience Columbus' vision is to be the leading force in creating and revealing the best of the Columbus experience to the world. Experience Columbus' mission is to sell, market and promote the Destination Columbus experience to visitors.

Experience Columbus is governed by a Board of Directors and supported by more than 1,000 partners who invest in the efforts of Experience Columbus and help make Greater Columbus an appealing destination by offering their services, attractions and facilities to visitors, meeting planners, convention delegates and residents.

In 2008, Experience Columbus earned accreditation from the Destination International (DI), formerly DMAI, and is one of only 68 destination marketing organizations to have met the rigorous standards. To do so, Experience Columbus provided evidence of compliance with 54 mandatory standards and 33 voluntary standards, including governance, finance, management, human resources, technology, visitor services, group services, sales, communications, membership, brand management, destination development, research/market intelligence, innovation and stakeholder relationships.

Experience Columbus employs approximately 70 people working in convention sales, tourism sales, convention services, partnership and development, marketing, communications, events and administration. In June 2002, Experience Columbus created the Greater Columbus Sports Commission to attract professional, collegiate, amateur and youth sports events to Greater Columbus.

Current initiatives include:

• Experience Dedicated® Destination (EDD)
• Certified Tourism Ambassador™ (CTA)
• LEAD it Home
• Volunteer with Columbus
   

Experience Columbus has a non-profit, 501(c)3 charitable organization, as well. The mission of the Experience Columbus Foundation is to perform the charitable and educational activities of Experience Columbus. Major programs sponsored by the Foundation include Research, Education and Local Historic Tourism. These programs are designed to educate the public about Columbus and its historical, educational, scientific and artistic resources. The Foundation also seeks to fund research on the economic value of the tourism/travel industry both in Columbus and world-wide. Go to The Columbus Foundation's Power Philanthropy website to view our portrait and make a secure online donation.

Experience Columbus 
Administrative Office and Columbus Visitor Center 
277 W. Nationwide Blvd., Ste. 125 
Columbus, OH 43215 
Directions to Experience Columbus (PDF document) 
614-221-6623, 800-354-2657 
Fax: 614-221-5618 
Visitor Information: 866-397-2657 
visitorinfo@experiencecolumbus.com 
experiencecolumbus.com
 

Executive Staff
 

Financial support provided by the City of Columbus and Franklin County