COLUMBUS,Ohio
Paul Astleford, president and CEO of Experience Columbus, has announced his retirement from the Columbus, Ohio CVB, effective December 31. He has served as the leader of the convention and visitors bureau for 13 years, having taken the position in 2000.
During his tenure as president, Astleford contributed to the many accomplishments of both the Experience Columbus and Greater Columbus Sports Commission boards and staff, including the creation of the Greater Columbus Sports Commission, creating a new identity for the bureau as “Experience Columbus,” championing strategic hotel development efforts resulting in the new full-service Hilton Columbus Downtown and leading the collaborative efforts for Columbus’ brand image marketing.
In a statement to the Experience Columbus Board of Directors, Astleford said: “Columbus has been one of the most fulfilling and enjoyable chapters in my 43 year career in the hospitality industry. I leave feeling a great deal of pride in having been a part of the Columbus leadership team at a time of unprecedented transformation of our community’s collaborative strategic intent and the numerous resulting accomplishments.
“Having been president of Experience Columbus for 13 years, I owe it to our organization and to our Greater Columbus community to pass the baton on to new leadership that can not only champion the aspirational initiatives currently in place, but also can bring new perspectives to the ongoing dialogue related to Columbus’ economic development focus,” he said.
