COLUMBUS, Ohio—Hundreds of travel and tourism professionals, Central Ohio business owners, community leaders and elected officials gathered for Experience Columbus’ annual TourismUS event on Oct. 1, 2026 at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field. The event spotlighted the impact of the local travel economy and the stars of the industry.  
 
Celebrating the community’s many milestone anniversaries was the focus of the gathering. From Experience Columbus‘ 85th anniversary to America250 and from North Market’s 150th to Columbus Symphony’s 75th, it's been a banner year for the Columbus region. Attendees enjoyed various activations that recognized these important moments for the hospitality industry.  
 
During the meeting, Experience Columbus also shared its latest visitation data that was announced in August. According to Longwoods International, visitors made 54.9 million trips (+3.3%) to Greater Columbus in 2025. Overnight trips also increased for the second consecutive year with an additional 400k trips, up 3.7%. Additionally, new data from Tourism Economics from 2025 shows that the local travel economy supports 83,306 jobs in Columbus and Franklin County, or one in every 14 jobs. Visitors directly spend $8.6 billion at local businesses, generating $1.81 billion in local, state and federal tax revenue. 
 
The highlight of the program was the presentation of the 2025 Best of US Awards. Now in its third year, the awards program recognizes the stars of the hospitality industry who have helped champion travel and tourism in Central Ohio during the past year. The following organizations, attractions and individuals were recognized as this year’s honorees:  
 

  • Collaborator of the Year: Small Business/Organization Category: Noble Cut Distillery 

  • Collaborator of the Year: Large Business/Organization Category: COTA 

  • Tourism Champion: Small Business/Organization Category: The Refectory Restaurant 

  • Tourism Champion: Large Business/Organization Category: Columbus Arena Sports & Entertainment 

  • Experience Columbus Insider of the Year: Densil Porteous, ECI 


To learn more about TourismUS and the Best of US Awards program, visit www.ExperienceColumbus.com/TourismUS. 
 
About Experience Columbus 
Celebrating 85 years in 2026, Experience Columbus is the destination marketing organization for the Columbus region dedicated to growing visitor spending and enhancing the visitor experience. Annually, visitors make 54.9 million trips to Greater Columbus for conventions, trade shows, sporting events and leisure visits, spending $8.6 billion and supporting 83,306 jobs. For more information, visit ExperienceColumbus.com.  
 
*Longwoods International defines an overnight visitor as a person on any journey for business or pleasure, coming from outside the community on a trip that is not part of their normal routine and where they spend one or more nights away from home. A day trip visitor is defined as a person on any journey for business or pleasure outside of their normal routine that is not an overnight trip. Day trips involve travel of more than 50 miles from Columbus. 
 

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Media Contacts:
Leah Berger, APR, ECI, Experience Columbus: lberger@experiencecolumbus.com | 614-222-6145
Cameron Walker, ECI, Experience Columbus: cwalker@experiencecolumbus.com | 614-222-6146