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COVID-19 INFORMATION | COVID-19 FAQ
REOPENING OHIO | MEET IN COLUMBUS

To our clients and friends,

Many of you know me, some of you may not, however you are surely all aware of protests that have broken out across the country over the last week against racial and social injustice. I think we can all agree: It’s time for change.

As the organizations that proudly promote and encourage visitation to our city, Experience Columbus and the Greater Columbus Sports Commission also proudly promote the characteristics of our city that make it worth visiting, one of the most valuable of which is our diversity. When members of our city are in pain, we are all in pain. Many of us have been in pain for quite some time. Although we don’t have all the answers, we know that we can’t stay silent.

We’re proud to be among nearly 3,000 local businesses whose leaders have signed a petition for Columbus City Council to declare racism a public health crisis and are pleased that Ohio is on its way to being the first state to make said declaration. But this is just a small step. It’s just the beginning. We intend to continue to speak out against systemic racism and social injustice. We vow to ensure that next time you’re in Columbus, it’s a better Columbus; a stronger, more unified and safer Columbus.

When you bring your group to our city, we’ll make sure you’re aware of volunteer opportunities that continue to break down barriers for communities of color. You’ll see us promoting minority-owned businesses your attendees can support during their visits.

It is efforts like these that reflect the spirit of our city – collaborative, forward-thinking and eager to stand up for what matters. 

Please, don’t be silent. I encourage you to engage in conversations that so many have already started. Tell us what you want to see from us. Our voices, every single one, are what makes Columbus the city we are proud to call home.

We’re here. We’re listening. We’re determined to make a difference.

Dan Williams
Vice President, Convention Sales and Services

Five Questions About Race

Dan Williams and six other Black tourism leaders answered ‘5 Questions About Race’ in a video that premiered during the virtual Destinations International Annual Convention session 'Why Race Matters." Learn more about the initiative and check out the honest conversation on the state of the world below.

An Open Letter to the Industry

The tourism industry is not immune to race-related problems. We’ve been silent for too long. Now, it’s time for dialogue. It’s time for action. Read this open letter to the travel industry signed by Experience Columbus’ Dan Williams and 20 other African-American CVB executives from around the country to understand what you can do to help inspire change for the better. It’s time.

COLUMBUS’ COMMITMENT TO SAFETY

Meetings and conventions are important to the Columbus community. As the majority of travel around the country is currently on hold, Columbus has ensured proper health and safety protocols are in place, including a citywide mask requirement and many of Columbus’ vibrant businesses, including restaurants, attractions, shops and more, have safely reopened and are ready to welcome residents and visitors alike.

Live Forward Pledge

When you’re in Columbus, look for the Live Forward Pledge window decal to easily recognize which businesses signed a commitment to follow federal, state and local health and safety guidelines for proper reopening practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. These businesses have agreed to:

Follow, enforce and adhere to safety guidelines outlined by the CDC, Ohio Department of Health and relevant industry organizations.
Require that employees wear protective gear and ensuring patrons abide by statewide facial covering orders.
Implement and enforce social distancing practices.

Find out more, including who has signed up, here.

GBAC STAR™ Accreditation

The Global Biorisk Advisory Council’s (GBAC) STAR Accreditation is the cleaning industry’s only outbreak prevention, response and recovery accreditation for facilities. This performance-based accreditation program offers third-party validation to help facilities demonstrate they have the work practices, procedures and protocols to prepare, respond and recover from outbreaks and pandemics to instill confidence in customers, staff and key stakeholders. Learn more here.

Several of our city’s primary visitor touchpoints have committed pursuing this level-up pledge opportunity.

Business interested in taking this additional step can find more information here.

COVID-19 Information

COVID-19 TRAVEL INDUSTRY RESOURCES

ADARA

COVID-19 Resource Center
CBRE

An updated 2020 outlook.
Donate Unused Event Materials
Helping Hospitality

The Above and Beyond Foundation is providing urgent grants to hospitality industry workers who lost jobs.
Longwoods International

COVID-19 and Travel Sentiment Survey
Ohio Reopening Guidelines

Ohio's safe business practices for getting back to work.
Northstar Travel Group

Tracking the meeting industry's response to Coronavirus
Reopening Resources

Resources by industry sector governing bodies.
U.S. Travel Association

The CARES Act, the relief package that delivers economic support to the travel industry.

COVID-19 FAQ

Do I have to wear a mask in Columbus?

Yes, wearing a mask in Columbus is mandatory for anyone over the age of six in all public spaces where six-feet of social distancing cannot be maintained. Exemptions include people with medical or behavioral conditions, people exercising, people actively eating or drinking and those communicating with someone hearing impaired. Read the full ordinance here. Similar mandates exist across the entirety of Franklin County.

What is the status of events in Columbus?

As Ohio slowly begins the process of reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic, mass gatherings (currently groups over 10) are still prohibited where social distancing is not possible. However, as of June 1, hotels, catering and banquet centers are allowed to reopen under similar guidelines as restaurants, which includes six feet distancing between tables. Currently, crowd size is capped at 300 where distancing allows. This means a facility can host as many events as it can safely social distance, as long as total number of guests do not exceed 300. Currently, all events must have a food and beverage component. For more, please guidelines from the Ohio Department of Health.

Can I rebook my event in Columbus?

We would love to rebook you in our city for a future date. Please contact your sales manager to discuss availability for future meetings.

Is the convention center being used as a medical facility?

The Greater Columbus Convention Center was converted into a 1,000-bed field hospital for potential overflow of COVID-19 patients, though the city never needed to activate the facility and the equipment has since been moved to storage in the event it's needed at a later time.

At the same time, the convention center is open, with businesses inside the center operational and meeting rooms being used in a new way for traffic and eviction court hearings.

Where Can I Get More Information?

Columbus: Your Next Meeting Destination

Columbus, the 14^th largest city in the United States as well as the fastest-growing city in the Midwest, is a smart and open community with a dynamic convention package that can fit the needs of any group. Located within a one-day drive or one-hour flight from more than half of the U.S. population, Columbus is easily accessible for all. Learn More.

1.8 million sq. ft.
373,000 sq. ft. contiguous exhibit space
75 meeting rooms

By 2022:

5,000+ hotel rooms downtown
2,700 hotel rooms connected/adjacent to Greater Columbus Convention Center

40+ nonstop destinations
150+ daily departures
10 minutes from downtown

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PCMA Convening Leader January 8-11, 2023 Columbus is proud to have been selected to host PCMA’s Convening Leaders in 2023. Known as one of the nation’s most creative, forward-thinking and exciting cities, we look forward to showing thousands of attendees how Columbus is transforming meetings.

See how we showed attendees of ASAE’s 2019 Annual Meeting & Exposition that more is possible in Columbus, and find out what to expect during Convening Leaders 2023.

Will your group be next?

Contact us or submit an RFP now.