One of Columbus’ most distinct assets is the spirit of teamwork and collaboration that runs throughout our city – from City Hall to our citizens and from our board rooms to our hotel rooms. At the Harvard Business School it’s called “The Columbus Way” and signifies that the way we cooperate is far from typical.

The most visible and shining example of the public and private sector successfully working together is the recent revitalization of the city’s downtown riverfront, which added 33 new acres of parkland. Of course, we notably have restaurants, breweries, distilleries, bakeries, soap makers, candle makers and more working together each day to exchange flavors, scents, ideas and more. However, collaborations within some of Columbus’ knowledge hubs – healthcare, technology and transportation – have led to some truly innovative breakthroughs. The following examples are both proof of the city's unique collaborative attitude and things about which groups can learn more (and be inspired by) when meeting in Columbus.

Healthcare

The world’s largest independent research and development (R&D) organization, Battelle, is strategically located next to the research powerhouse that is The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. With more than 1,000 active research studies in virtually every medical specialty, one of the most significant innovations has come from a team of Battelle and Ohio State researchers who created a brain chip that allows a person to move a paralyzed limb through the power of thought. There is no other technology like this in the world and it would not have been possible without the sharing of resources and ideas.

Technology

Columbus is the best city for tech workers in the country, according to Smart Asset, and is also home to numerous Fortune 500 and 1000 organizations. Seven of those companies – American Electric Power, Battelle, Cardinal Health, Huntington, Lbrands, Nationwide and OhioHealth – founded the Columbus Collaboratory, a unique approach to problem-solving using advanced analytics, cybersecurity and workforce development. Though the founding organizations are from varying industries, the Columbus Collaboratory seeks to solve shared, complex challenges using machine-learning technologies that can be applied to a broad market.  

Transportation

The Columbus Region is home to the Honda R&D Americas lab responsible for developing vehicles such as the supercar Acura NSX and since its establishment has worked hand-in-hand with Ohio’s largest college, The Ohio State University, on transportation research initiatives. Many projects created through a capstone course at the facility are already improving how Hondas are manufactured, including an Accord door weld spatter and grind project focused on reducing the number of weld spatters and adjusting the ergonomics of weld grinding.

In 2016, to align with Columbus winning the U.S. Dept. of Transportation’s Smart City Challenge and being tasked with developing an integrated smart transportation system that would use data, applications and technology to help people and goods move more quickly, cheaply and efficiently, the Honda and Ohio State partnership strategically re-focused on mobility innovations. Central Ohio’s Transportation Research Center is the largest independent vehicle test facility and proving grounds in North America. A collaboration between the State of Ohio, Ohio Department of Transportation, JobsOhio and The Ohio State University created a $45 million Smart Mobility Advanced Research Test Center at the facility for these innovations to be analyzed and refined.

In Columbus, we are “all in” to bring our community together and ensure the success of all meetings hosted in our city. Contact us today to see how our collaborative community can help set the new standard for your next meeting.