Member Spotlight: Greater Columbus Sports Commission

Provide us with a brief summary of your business’ services.
Columbus is transforming into a top sports destination. Host to the 2018 NCAA Women’s Final Four and numerous USA Olympic sports and amateur sporting events, the Greater Columbus Sports Commission’s mission is to win events and bring them to the city. In return these events positively impact the image, economy and lifestyle of Columbus and its residents.

Tell us about your company’s mission and values.
Our mission is to rally Columbus to compete and win sporting events, providing a singular athlete and fan experience and positively impacting image, economy and lifestyle. Since the Greater Columbus Sports Commission’s inception in 2002, we have hosted more than 500 new events which have generated an estimated $605 million in direct visitor spending.

Those millions of dollars go back into the community and support sectors, including but not limited to retail, food and beverage, lodging, entertainment and transportation. You can read more about our work at columbussports.org.

What are the services you use the most (or are looking forward to using) from the Columbus Chamber?
We are fortunate to work and live in a city where community partnerships and collaboration are valued. That is the Columbus Way, after all! We know that our partnership with the Columbus Chamber can exemplify this. The support we receive for our mission and the resources provided by the Chamber allow us to better educate the city about the impact of hosting sporting events.

How do you stay engaged with trends that you see in your industry?
The sports industry is dynamic, and we’re seeing even more change happening as a result of COVID-19. As the industry adapts, the Greater Columbus Sports Commission knows the value of understanding industry trends and finding solutions that keep Columbus situated as a leader in the sports tourism space.

Under the leadership of executive director Linda Logan, we have established relationships with like-minded organizations across the nation. These connections allow for an open dialogue on the current and future state of the industry and best practices to serve our clients and community as we recover. We’ve even launched the Virtual Sports Report, a virtual series with industry leaders, to share these trends with our community and beyond.

What is your company culture like?
Our team is consistently bidding on and winning events, creating a year-round schedule filled with local and national events. Our work is fast-paced, supported by our team of dedicated employees who share a goal of being recognized as a top sports destination. Our culture reflects the sports team dynamic – collaborative, supportive and energized by our goals.

What makes Columbus such a great place to do business?
Sports in Columbus, like many other industries in our city, are full of collaboration, determination and camaraderie. Columbus is home to world-class facilities, a walkable footprint and limitless opportunities to provide a unique experience for fans, athletes, coaches and visitors. These elements, coupled with our team’s dedication to our mission, position Columbus as a top sports tourism destination. We often say that Columbus has no offseason and neither does the Sports Commission.

Social Media
Twitter: @columbus_sports
Facebook: Facebook.com/CbusSports/
LinkedIn: LinkedIn.com/company/greater-columbus-sports-commission/
Instagram: @columbus_sports
Website: columbussports.org