COLUMBUS, Ohio
The buzz around Columbus just keeps getting louder. Media outlets from Forbes to The New York Times have highlighted its magnetism to opportunity seekers, and with so much new development in the works it’s no surprise. Seeing much of that growth is Columbus’s meetings and tourism segment, from a massive renovation of the Columbus International Airport to a new Veterans Memorial and Museum that will open in early 2017.
A huge component of the city’s new development is the Greater Columbus Convention Center (GCCC)’s $125-million expansion and renovation, which kicked off in September and will be completed in July 2017. Highlighted by 373,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space, the project will add new exhibit space, new meeting rooms with views outside and a two-story entrance. The renovation also will make major upgrades to the GCCC’s and the connected Hyatt Regency’s 70,000 square foot meeting, ballroom and public spaces.
Updates will touch everything from the ceilings to the carpeting in order to provide guests with a hotel-level experience consistent with the Hilton Columbus Downtown, also connected to the GCCC via skywalk.
New experiences and convenience features also will be added, such as connectivity stations, concierge stations and second-level exhibit hall VIP show offices. New public art will brighten up more than 150 locations inside and outside the GCCC to reflect the vibrancy of the nearby Short North Arts District, and a new exterior event plaza and green spaces with water features will further beautify the facility.
In early 2016, an 800-space parking garage will open with a covered walkway connecting to the GCCC, bringing on-site parking to just under 4,000 spaces.
Many of Columbus’s popular off-site venues are in the midst of expansions and upgrades, as well. In late-October, the Columbus Museum of Art will open a new 50,000-square-foot wing that will include gallery space and a meeting and special event complex, and last fall COSI, the Center of Science and Industry, opened the state’s largest planetarium.
For more information: Experience Columbus: (614) 222-6151; sales@experiencecolumbus.com; meet.experiencecolumbus.com
