Any regular follower of our blog knows that our biggest renovation news is of course the $125 million modernization and expansion project taking place at the Greater Columbus Convention Center (GCCC). Set to be fully completed in July 2017, one section of meeting space is already done and open for business. The newly finished Eisenman and Trott meeting rooms on the second-floor of the center recently played host to the Minor League Baseball Promotional Seminar 2015 and the Materials Science & Technology (M S & T) 2015 Conference and Exhibition. This is exciting news for the GCCC, set to be the fourth largest in its competitive set upon completion with 373,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space. In addition to this news, there are a number of other new and notable projects taking place in the city as well, and all are unique offerings for unforgettable offsite events.

The Columbus Museum of Art is finishing up a $37 million renovation and expansion this month that will feature a new 50,000 square foot event space that overlooks and opens into the sculpture garden. In conjunction with a new Courtyard by Marriott, the Grandview Yard will gain a new Grand Event Center to be attached to the hotel by outdoor courtyard with fire pit. The 13,000 square foot space will have full catering capabilities in three meeting rooms that can hold up to 50 people each and a ballroom that can seat 300. A new 12,000 square foot facility is set to open this month at the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. The framework was provided by a 200-year-old hand-hewn timber frame from an Ohio barn and with a capacity of up to 500, this makes for an unforgettable off-site event space.

 The Brewery District in the south of downtown Columbus gained a new 21,000 square foot event space called McGowan Loft as part of the new Copious Columbus. The space can hold gatherings of up to 250 people and features its own kitchen, full-service bar, bridal changing room and balcony terrace. The venues underground music club, Notes, also has a private space for up to 18 people.