Welcome to the Cvent Columbus meeting planning guide, where you can find hotels, restaurants, other meeting space and a wealth of Columbus meeting planning information. With an enticing city package that includes historic neighborhoods, recreation, art and culture wrapped within the comfort and convenience of a clean, manageable city, Columbus has been catching the eye of meeting planners nationwide. Its central location makes Columbus an ideal meeting place. Easily accessible, Columbus is located within one day's drive or a one-hour flight of half the population of the United States and Canada. Visitors who touch down at the Port Columbus International Airport will find a modern facility just 10 minutes east of the downtown area.
Once inside the city, the convenience continues with over 21,000 hotel rooms from which to choose. Ranging from luxury boutiques to familiar chains, Columbus has accommodations to meet a wide variety of needs and price points. Although Columbus is a major metropolis, it is extremely navigable. Traversing the city is a breeze with quick and efficient bus service. Columbus also shows its hospitality with the presence of Capital Crossroads Ambassadors. Identified by their green shirts and blue coats, these helpful attendants are on hand seven days a week to direct visitors and answer questions within a 32-square-block area from the convention center.
Convention and meeting facilities abound in downtown Columbus. The Greater Columbus Convention Center is a state-of-the-art facility that offers 426,000 square feet of exhibit space, 61 meeting rooms and two ballrooms located just steps away from the vibrant Arena District and Short North Arts District. The convention center has been host to such prestigious organizations as the National Society of Black Engineers, United Pentecostal Church International and Lions Club International.
Beyond the convention center, Columbus offers several other sizable event facilities. The Nationwide Arena, Columbus' premier sports and entertainment attraction, can accommodate a wide range of functions from intimate gatherings to large-scale events of up to 20,000 people. Another alternative is the Franklin County Veterans Memorial. Located on the west side of the downtown waterfront, the space offers 110,000 square feet of exhibit space, plus a 3,916-seat auditorium perfect for award ceremonies and presentations. Groups willing to travel just outside of the downtown area can utilize the very meeting-friendly Ohio Expo Center, a 360-acre complex offering one million square feet of flexible space. With so much to offer, it is no wonder Columbus welcomes approximately 33.2 million visitors each year.
Aside from its convenient location and world-class facilities, Columbus bubbles with action and activity. The city is host to several renowned festivals including the Columbus Arts Festival, German Village Oktoberfest, Festival Latino and the Dublin Irish Festival. In addition to these phenomenal events, Columbus is host to the annual PGA Tour Memorial Tournament. A celebrated golfing destination, the city was voted number 2 in the Top 50 Golf Cities in America by Golf.com.
The Scioto Mile, a massive revitalization of the downtown riverfront that stretches from the Arena District to Whittier Peninsula, opened in 2011. redefining the cityscape. The Mile features plazas, parks, bikeways, pedestrian paths and a promenade that connect the river with the downtown area.
Along with its population, the Columbus economy continues to grow, and it is one of the top 10 economies in the United States. Many major corporations are headquartered in Columbus including Bank One, Wendy's International, CompuServe, Red Roof Inns, Limited Brands and Nationwide Insurance. Additionally, several high profile colleges and universities call the city home, including Ohio State University, which boasts the largest college campus in the United States.
