Author Topic: Columbus: Conventions and Tourism News & Info (Read 36161 times)

columbusguy20 · « **Reply #35 on:** February 16, 2006, 07:08:21 AM »

Yes!!!!!!!!!!! My party will finally(hopefully) be coming to Columbus. The one in New York was nice, but it would be much better for Republicans to be in a part of the country where we are liked. But it will be good for the city not only in terms of money but in image!!! This would give Columbus the chance to show off our always improving Downtown, great neighborhoods, restaurants, shopping, people and cultural scene!

columbusguy20 · « **Reply #36 on:** February 16, 2006, 07:09:59 AM »

I do have to be realistic, I mean there are much larger cities being invited to host it. But if Columbus doesn't get it, no biggie

Brewmaster · « **Reply #37 on:** February 16, 2006, 07:16:48 AM »

Yeah...I hate to get too excited with all of those cities on the list, but I think we've got a puncher's chance!

atlas · « **Reply #38 on:** February 16, 2006, 09:55:33 AM »

This would be awesome for the city. One can only hope their city gets a convention of such importance.

mrnyc · « **Reply #39 on:** February 16, 2006, 10:00:37 AM »

hey wow. i think columbus has a great chance. much more than you guys seem to. ohio is a key state. its mix of voters accurately reflects america as a whole. the true heartland. what better place for a political convention? not mention the $$$ the city would rake in. otoh, the publicity? well, thats double-edged sword, but overall a good thing too.

Magyar · « **Reply #40 on:** February 16, 2006, 01:09:36 PM »

I think it's all about political connections (within that particular party) and then the city's pitch.
So yes, Columbus has a puncher's chance.

CMH_Downtown · « **Reply #41 on:** February 17, 2006, 03:11:11 AM »

Agreed with much of what's already been said. It would be an incredible shot in the arm to the local economy, if the city could somehow win out against some pretty stiff competition.

As far as the image goes, like mrnyc said, it's a double-edged sword. If, for whatever reason, the convention does come to Columbus, here hoping for a bunch of counter-rallies.

X · « **Reply #42 on:** February 17, 2006, 06:49:52 AM »

I don't think that it would do anything to adversely effect Columbus' image. Everybody knows that cities want these conventions for the money, not because they support the party. I'd be just as happy to see the GOP convention in Cleveland as I would the DNC.

Brewmaster · « **Reply #43 on:** March 02, 2006, 01:16:55 AM »

Downtown hotel business, room rates on the upswing
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Mike Pramik
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

As Downtown continues to welcome more permanent residents, it’s also throwing out the welcome mat to more visitors.

Downtown’s 13 hotels reported occupancies higher than 64 percent last year after struggling under 60 percent for much of this century. They also increased their daily rates to more than $100 for the first time since the 2001 terrorist attack.

mpramik@dispatch.com

kevmr25 · « **Reply #44 on:** March 06, 2006, 09:32:18 AM »

How many hotel rooms are there currently in the city of columbus? hwat is the total count?

buildingcincinnati · « **Reply #45 on:** April 09, 2006, 11:16:56 AM »

From the 4/8/06 Dispatch:

Columbus contends for GOP ’08 event
Mayor traveling to Washington to try to land convention
Saturday, April 08, 2006
Jodi Andes
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Mayor Michael B. Coleman is part of a bipartisan effort to bring the 2008 Republican National Convention to Columbus. Politically, blue and red don’t mix. But on Tuesday, the D’s and R’s will work together to bring C-town a little green.

Mayor Michael B. Coleman, Columbus’ leading Democrat, is teaming with Chris McNulty, the state’s second-ranking Republican Party official, to try to lure the 2008 Republican National Convention here. The two will go to Washington on Tuesday for an informational meeting for cities seeking to bring the convention home, said Paul Astleford, who heads Experience Columbus, the city’s tourism bureau.

Full story at http://www.dispatch.com/?story=dispatch/2006/04/08/20060408-C3-01.html

RiverViewer · « **Reply #46 on:** April 10, 2006, 12:17:01 PM »

Cincinnati's hosted the Democratic National Convention twice - first in 1856, nominating James Buchanan - sorry about that - and then in 1880, nominating Winfield Hancock, who lost to Garfield (who is buried at the other end of Ohio!)

The Republicans nominated Rutherford B. Hayes in 1876 in Cincinnati, and have held two conventions in Cleveland - nominating Calvin Coolidge in 1924 (who won) and Alfred Landon in 1936 (who lost by the most lopsided margin since James Monroe was re-elected in 1820).

Keith M. · « **Reply #47 on:** April 10, 2006, 01:43:03 PM »

Well, it would certainly get a lot of people to come. Although not necessarily in favor of the Repubs. I smell a potential protest and we'd all contribute to the surrounding downtown area while we're there. Can't protest on an empty stomach.

Magyar · « **Reply #48 on:** April 10, 2006, 03:01:02 PM »

(Then Mayor) Rendell was all for the Repubs bringing their convention to Philadelphia (1996 or 2000), so there's no reason Coleman and the Repubs can't work something out for Columbus (hotel rooms pending)

sky · « **Reply #49 on:** April 15, 2006, 02:53:11 AM »

This event would bring a lot of money into the state

CMH_Downtown · « **Reply #50 on:** May 19, 2006, 04:06:13 AM »

Hotel owners sleeping well as occupancy is up
Business First of Columbus - May 12, 2006
by Brian R. BallBusiness First

Central Ohio hotel operators can expect better times in the next few years as rising demand for lodging stays well ahead of construction of more rooms, says a new report on the hospitality sector.

The report by Columbus hospitality consultant Eric Belfrage shows occupancy at Franklin County hotels last year rose above 60 percent for the first time since 2000. At the same time, the average nightly rate for a stay climbed to nearly $76 - a 6 percent increase over the previous year.

CMH_Downtown · « **Reply #51 on:** May 19, 2006, 04:10:20 AM »

Westin owners plan $7.5 million overhaul
Hotel renovation could boost room rates Downtown
Friday, May 19, 2006
Mike Pramik
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

The new owners of the Westin Great Southern Hotel say they’re planning a major renovation of the 110-year-old property, a move that could boost prices at all Downtown hotels.

Officials of Marcus Hotels & Resorts of Milwaukee said they’ll pump up to $7.5 million into the 186-room hotel. The improvements, which could be completed in February, will include new rooms, a redesigned lobby and changes to the hotel’s cafe and bar.

buildingcincinnati · « **Reply #52 on:** May 24, 2006, 11:02:35 AM »

From the 5/24/06 Dispatch:

Room gloom: City didn’t bid on 2008 GOP convention
Columbus short on first-class hotels
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Bob Moser
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Columbus has everything the Republican Party could want in a host city for its 2008 National Convention — except enough first-class hotels. That’s why the city pulled back on submitting a bid to host the convention, said Paul Astleford, president of Experience Columbus. The deadline for cities to submit their bids to the GOP was midnight Monday.

One of the GOP’s requirements for a convention city is at least 20,000 "first-class" hotel rooms. First-class hotels are fullservice hotels with a restaurant, lounge, business center and other amenities. The Columbus area has roughly 21,000 hotel rooms. Because of other events already scheduled for fall 2008, only about 13,000 could be committed to the GOP. Of those, Astleford said, only about 4,000 were first-class.

Full story at http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/05/24/20060524-C4-01.html

Keith M. · « **Reply #53 on:** June 27, 2006, 12:50:58 PM »

EXPERIENCE COLUMBUS
Travel writers spend weekend on the town
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Steve Stephens
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Columbus is a great place to live, but why, oh why, would you want to visit? A group of travel journalists and tour operators attempted to answer that question over the weekend as guests of Experience Columbus, the convention and visitors bureau.

The "Home Grown" media tour was billed as "a sample of the many flavors, aromas and colors of Columbus’ world-class gardens and gastronomy." The guests visited top tourist attractions and ate, drank and drank some more at some of the city’s finest restaurants. (Imagine being able to compare the creme brulee at the Refectory one night to that at Handke’s Cuisine the next.)

The whirlwind three-day visit included stops at the North Market, Columbus Museum of Art, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Park of Roses, Easton Town Center, Thurber House and the German Village Haus und Garten Tour Preview. About a dozen journalists came from as far as Des Moines, Iowa, and Greensboro, N.C., and included staff writers, editors, freelancers and a graphic designer representing newspapers, travel and gardening magazines and travel Web sites.

Full article at http://www.dispatch.com/business-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/06/27/20060627-D1-03.html

jamiec · « **Reply #54 on:** June 27, 2006, 01:56:18 PM »

"Final costs for the tour haven’t been calculated, Geiger said, but will be close to $7,200. (Many sites provided goods and services at reduced or no cost to the bureau.)"

Hah! From a PR angle, that's dirt cheap! I'm willing to bet that that price doesn't include the time they spent convincing people to come and organize the whole thing. But if they get a placement or a feature in Sky, that'd be huge. Once again, Columbus is on the ball. At this point, it's the only city I'd consider defecting to =)

noozer · « **Reply #55 on:** July 06, 2006, 12:56:43 AM »

Vintage cars, owners to put on quite a show
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Matt Tullis
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

The 1968 Bel Air is pristine. Its dark teal metallic paint is the result of nearly a year of work alone. Its black cloth interior is spotless. The engine roars to life like it did when it rolled off the assembly line nearly 40 years ago.

The classic Chevy should make Robert Dixon proud at the Goodguys PPG Nationals car show this weekend at the Ohio Expo Center. About 6,000 classic and vintage vehicles from across the United States and Canada will be on display, making it one of the largest car shows in the country.

FULL ARTICLE: http://dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/07/06/20060706-A1-03.html

Link to more info.... http://dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/07/06/20060706-A1-02.html

Magyar · « **Reply #56 on:** July 06, 2006, 03:31:06 AM »

You mentioning this event so all the anti-car folks here can go "PETA" on the car-show attendees?

CMH_Downtown · « **Reply #57 on:** July 10, 2006, 05:00:14 AM »

Arnold expo snatches weightlifting qualifier
Business First of Columbus - July 7, 2006
By Jeff Bell, Business First

Jim Lorimer is pumped up about USA Weightlifting Inc. deciding to hold a world team qualifying event at the 2007 Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus. The agreement, whose details were finalized in June, is another sign the festival has grabbed the attention of national sports governing bodies, said Lorimer, who has run the event for 31 years in partnership with Arnold Schwarzenegger, the film star and California governor.

Past Arnold weekends have attracted Olympians in sports such as weightlifting, gymnastics, fencing and table tennis. But Lorimer said USA Weightlifting is the first national governing agency to bring a team qualifying event to the sports-and fitness-extravaganza, which is scheduled for March 2 through March 4 next year.

MORE: http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/

CMH_Downtown · « **Reply #58 on:** July 10, 2006, 05:10:43 AM »

Columbus backers get city featured in United Air Lines flight magazine
Business First of Columbus - July 7, 2006
by Doug Buchanan Business First

Whether on their way to Columbus or headed to any of United Air Lines Inc.'s 201 destinations in 26 countries, travelers on United in June had the chance to peruse a 36-page spread on Columbus in the airline's magazine. The section included articles on Columbus-backed initiatives in logistics and medicine and was the work of a staff of reporters and advertising executives, at least one of whom spent six weeks in the Columbus area preparing the section.

It was replete with advertisements from regional stalwarts, such as American Electric Power Company Inc., Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co., Ohio State University Medical Center and, interestingly for a package on Columbus, a full-page ad promoting Dublin. The publication, which has the potential to reach 3.5 million fliers, is a good way to get the word out about Columbus, said Patty Donahey Geiger, a spokeswoman for Experience Columbus, which worked with the Columbus Chamber to help promote the city to the magazine's staff while they were in town.

Of course, the magazine's cover story was a package on Chicago, but you take what you can get.

More at http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/

Brewmaster · « **Reply #59 on:** July 10, 2006, 07:17:11 AM »

^ 36 pages!?!?! Great news!

LAsam · « **Reply #60 on:** July 10, 2006, 08:44:05 AM »

And we aren't even a hub!

jamiec · « **Reply #61 on:** July 10, 2006, 11:22:02 AM »

Quote from: Brewmaster on July 10, 2006, 07:17:11 AM

^ 36 pages!?!?! Great news!

Wow, that's fantastic. Talk about a return on investment!

CMH_Downtown · « **Reply #62 on:** July 25, 2006, 03:03:24 AM »

If anyone wants to see the 36-page feature article from United's Hemispheres Magazine, it is available in PDF format here:

http://www.hemispheresmagazine.com/insight/pdfs/Columbus/Cover-135.pdf

jamiec · « **Reply #63 on:** July 25, 2006, 11:26:07 AM »

At first, that smelled like advertorial to me, but then I looked up Pace Communications and saw that it is a PR/advertising firm that does Delta's magazine, so I guess the whole magazine is advertorial? All I know is, 13 pages is a lot of space to feature one place unless someone is paying for it.

Anyone know if this is a PR-driven feature or an advertorial where the Columbus travel group would have paid to create this insert?

LAsam · « **Reply #64 on:** July 25, 2006, 11:35:04 PM »

Quote from: CMH_Downtown on July 25, 2006, 03:03:24 AM

If anyone wants to see the 36-page feature article from United's Hemispheres Magazine, it is available in PDF format here:

http://www.hemispheresmagazine.com/insight/pdfs/Columbus/Cover-135.pdf

URL is linking to a dead site

jamiec · « **Reply #65 on:** July 29, 2006, 02:05:58 PM »

Columbus has got the buzz!! Definitely winning in the Ohio city PR competition, haha =) I'd much rather move to Columbus than Florida, so more power to yah!

Travel magazine to focus attention on arts district
By KEVIN PARKS
ThisWeek Staff Writer

Travel writer Beth D'Addono came to Columbus last winter to sample some sweet treats. She ended up taking a walk along what she considered to be some pretty neat streets. The result is to be a profile of the Short North in a major travel magazine later this year.

The arts district will come in for the Neighborhood Watch feature treatment in National Geographic Traveler. The article by D'Addono is tentatively scheduled to run in the November/December issue of the magazine. It had been slated to run earlier but has been bumped back, according to a spokeswoman for the publication.

In town to do a freelance story for The Boston Globe on Jeni's Fresh Ice Cream in the North Market, the Philadelphia-based D'Addono said she acceded to the urging of a local public relations firm owner to meet with Short North Business Association director John Angelo.

Full article at http://www.thisweeknews.com/?edition=common&story=thisweeknews/072706/common/News/072706-News-197299.html

CMH_Downtown · « **Reply #66 on:** November 03, 2006, 03:25:39 AM »

COLUMBUS has nice places to visit, but. . .
Visitor spending has grown little in two years
Friday, November 03, 2006
Marla Matzer Rose

Recovery is turning into a long journey for the central Ohio hospitality industry. A study commissioned by Experience Columbus showed visitor spending in Franklin County was $5.3 billion last year, barely up from $5.2 billion in 2003, the last time the study was done. Tourism officials said the terrorist attack of 2001 and the economic downturn of 2004 are still working their way out of the system. Numbers show statewide visitor activity mirence Columbus, said the numbers reflect a reality seen across the nation of a slowly recovering tourism and convention industry. "If you put inflation in there, we’re really down probably 5 percent over 2003," Astleford said. "We’re not bragging about this." Statewide visitor spending in 2005 reached $31.1 billion, up from $28.52 billion in 2003.

Full story at http://www.dispatch.com/business-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/11/03/20061103-G1-00.html

Keith M. · « **Reply #67 on:** November 03, 2006, 06:27:05 AM »

When you have to drive everywhere, that doesn't lend itself to tourism. You have to rent a car to experience Columbus while you don't need a car to visit Chicago.

ColDayMan · « **Reply #68 on:** November 03, 2006, 06:39:05 AM »

Tell that to Orlando, Las Vegas, and Scottsdale, AZ. Columbus atLEAST has actual transit that, oh, I dunno, is functional.

Granted, I want rail and such but let's be honest here; transit isn't really going to improve tourism other than connecting neighborhood nodes by foot better.

Keith M. · « **Reply #69 on:** November 03, 2006, 07:06:42 AM »

Orlando has world and Las Vegas has gambling, alcohol and prostitutes ie big flashy tourist attractions. We don't. Scottsdale, I have no idea what the big draw would be; was that a sarcastic comparison that even they get more tourists than us? I hear what you're saying, but having those streetcars can only help tourism. It'll make the city accesible to out-of-state visitors, the vast majority being those at the convention center. And hey, it would leave a better impression of the city on a lot of OSU students from outside the state. Assuming that line to OSU gets built anytime soon, soon being relative.

News:

Author Topic: Columbus: Conventions and Tourism News & Info (Read 36161 times)