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2017 Annual Report

155 W. Nationwide Blvd., Ste. 125 Columbus, OH 43215 614-221-6060 CELEBRATING 15 YEARS WITH YOU

Dear Partners, In 2017, the Greater Columbus Sports Commission celebrates its 15th anniversary. We are proud of the leadership role we have played as our sports scene has grown and prospered over this timeframe, with the promising to be even brighter. Columbus has become a successful and ever-growing sports destination because of the continued support and engagement of our community. Thanks to the collaborative spirit of our city and county leaders, civic and hospitality partners, community-minded corporations, sports teams and institutions, as well as the cadre of boots-on-the-ground volunteers, the events we host are nothing short of spectacular. The entire nation is watching when we land NCAA national events like the upcoming Women’s Final Four in 2018 or host high-profile professional events like the NHL All-Star Game, the MLS Cup or the MiLB Triple-A Governors’ Cup. The entire world is watching when we welcome prestigious international events like The Presidents Cup, a FIFA World Cup Qualifier or the . Annually, crowds flock to the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide, the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon, the OhioHealth Capital City Half Marathon, the 20 OHSAA State Championships and hundreds of amateur tournaments like Valley Region volleyball. It’s clear, since the founding of the Greater Columbus Sports Commission in 2002, Columbus has grown into a sports city with no offseason! We appreciate the unwavering support we receive from the City of Columbus, Franklin County and the State of Ohio, along with that of our board of directors and corporate partners who invest in our mission. We proudly mark this milestone anniversary and boldly look toward the future. Here’s to the next 15 years!

Linda Shetina Logan, CSEE, CTA

Since 2002, the Greater Columbus Sports Commission has booked 427 new sporting events for theThe Columbus Greater Columbus Region, generating region is recognized an estimated as a $535 PREMIER million DESTINATION in visitor spending. for state, regional, national*Tourism and Economicsinternational has provided professional, us with the visitor collegiate, spending percentages amateur in and each category.youth SPORTING EVENTS. DEFINING MOMENTS

For more defining moments visit columbussports.org.

INITIAL BID FOR NCAA DIVISION I WOMEN’S FINAL FOUR I think the defining event for the Sports Commission was our first bid for the Women’s Final Four. “Yes, the bid we lost. That effort got the community really engaged – both public and private sector. There was a recognition that Columbus could compete on the national stage. The process set the stage for our many future successes.” — Brian Ellis, Nationwide Realty Investors

FIRST TIME HOSTING NCAA DIVISION I MEN’S FIRST/SECOND ROUNDS While we have hosted many great sporting events in a variety of sports delivering tourism dollars to “the city, to me that event said “We have arrived”. No longer could Columbus not compete for the biggest events on the biggest stages. Then to make the experience such a memorable one for all those attending (Including the NCAA) – I knew we could pull off any event we set our mind to.” — Butch Moore, WBNS 10TV

HOSTING THE NCAA DIVISION I MEN’S FROZEN FOUR For me, my favorite moment in the Sports Commission’s first 15 years occurred in 2005 at the “NCAA Frozen Four finals at the Schottenstein Center. I saw a sign that referred to the Greater Columbus Sports Commission, which to that point I did not know even existed. From that point Retail to today, it has been a thrill and I am so thankful to be part of the amazing ride skyward that the Commission has been on. Food & Beverage ” Retail — Brian Hall, Porter Wright

Transportation Food & Beverage Retail

RecreationTOP FIVE industry sectorsRetail that benefit most from visitor spending numbersTransportation generated throughFood & Beveragesports:

LODGING FOODFood & Beverage & BEVERAGE RETAIL RECREATION TRANSPORTATION Lodging Recreation Transportation $48.5M • 9%* $91M • 17%* Retail$117.7M • 22%* $53.5M • 10%* $69.6M • 13%*

Transportation Food & Beverage Lodging Recreation

Recreation Transportation Lodging

Lodging Recreation

Lodging 15 YEARS OF IMPACT ON COLUMBUS

2002 2003 2004 It’s Official U.S. Soccer NCAA DI Men’s Basketball On June 27, the Greater Columbus Sports The FIFA Women’s World Cup was played at Since 2004, the NCAA DI Men’s Basketball Commission (GCSC) was established and Crew Stadium and brought soccer fans and First/Second Rounds have been in Columbus introduced to the community at a special media from all over the world to Columbus. four times. This event represents $10 million event at called ‘Columbus in visitor spending each time it comes to Celebrates Sports.’ Columbus and will be back in 2019.

2007 2008 2009 NHL Draft Turning Point Big Ten The GCSC in partnership with the Even though we lost the NCAA Women’s The GCSC, along with the Columbus Columbus Jackets hosted a successful Final Four bid this year, valuable Clippers, hosted the Big Ten Baseball NHL Draft that brought ’s who of relationships were created and proved to Tournament at the new Huntington Park hockey to our city’s front door. be a turning point for the organization. marking the first time the event was held off campus. It remained in Columbus

through 2011.

2012 2013 2014 USA Volleyball The Presidents Cup USA Fencing In partnership with Ohio Valley Region, The international golf match, The Presidents The largest tournament of its kind, Columbus hosted the USA Volleyball Girls’ Cup, was held at Muirfield Village Golf Columbus hosted the USA Fencing Junior National Championships that brought Course and was broadcast in 200 countries Summer National Championships in approximately 10,000 athletes and more to more than 600 million households. back-to-back years. We look forward to than 20,000 spectators, which provided The event generated $22 million in their return in 2019. $30 million into the community. visitor spending.

2017 A Year of Championships Columbus hosted the NCAA DII Women’s Basketball Championships, NCAA National Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Championship, USA Track & Field Half Marathon Championships, first-ever OHSAA State Championships and USA Volleyball Boys’ Junior National Championships.

Photos Courtesy of: U.S. Soccer, National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), (NHL), USA Volleyball, The Presidents Cup, USA Fencing and OhioHealth Capital City Half Marathon 15 YEARS OF IMPACT ON COLUMBUS

2004 2005 2006 NCAA DI Men’s Basketball NCAA DI Men’s U.S. Olympic Trials Since 2004, the NCAA DI Men’s Basketball The NCAA Frozen Four was held in Columbus Columbus hosted the prestigious U.S. Duet First/Second Rounds have been in Columbus at . This was last time the Olympic Trials – Synchronized Swimming four times. This event represents $10 million event was held on a campus location. at the McCorkle Aquatics Pavilion on Ohio in visitor spending each time it comes to State’s campus. This was the first Olympic Columbus and will be back in 2019. Trial for the 2008 Olympics.

2010 2011 NAGAAA Gay New ColumbUS Brand Columbus hosted the NAGAAA Gay Softball Columbus launched a new image and city World Series that brought $5 million in branding in anticipation for its Bicentennial visitor spending and also provided many in 2012. In collaboration with Columbus legacy programs for the community. civic organizations for the “ColumbUS” This event returned to Columbus in 2015. image project, the GCSC rebranded and created a new logo.

2014 2015 2016 USA Fencing NHL All-Star Weekend NCAA DI Women’s Volleyball The largest tournament of its kind, The NHL All-Star Weekend generated $12 Columbus hosted 17,365 fans at Columbus hosted the USA Fencing million in visitor spending. The Columbus Nationwide Arena for the NCAA Division I Summer National Championships in Blue Jackets and the community rolled out Women’s Volleyball Championship and is back-to-back years. We look forward to the red carpet to athletes and fans, which set to host the event again in 2021! their return in 2019. prompted NHL Commissioner to say that “A+ was not a high enough grade” for Columbus.

Photos Courtesy of: National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Ohio State Athletics, North American Gay Amateur Athletic Association (NAGAAA) Gay Softball World Series Local Organizing Committee, , USA Volleyball and Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) COLUMBUS HAS NO OFFSEASON

As the Greater Columbus Sports Commission looks toward the next 15 years, we recognize the growth of not only the tourism industry but also the city of Columbus. The sports scene in Central Ohio has played an integral part in that growth and has helped transform Columbus into a top sports destination. Now no matter the season, you can experience multiple sporting events happening throughout the city. That’s why we simultaneously launched a new website and Columbus Has No Offseason trail in 2017.

The Greater Columbus Sports Commission’s redesigned website, columbussports.org, focuses on showcasing Columbus as a premier host city while engaging locals to experience all that is happening in their backyard. The website content was rewritten to provide quick-hitting information for users while engaging them in dynamic visuals and providing a mobile responsive site to access anywhere. Columbus Has No Offseason trail embodies the vibrant and collaborative spirit of Columbus, representing the city’s passion for sports and encouraging fans to attend various events throughout each season. As our city’s sports scene continues to grow and gain national attention, our community’s fan base grows with it. To view the new website or learn more about the Columbus Has No Offseason trail, visit columbussports.org.

Photo Credit: The Arnold Sports Festival by Randall L. Schieber COLUMBUS HAS NO OFFSEASON NCAA RETURNS TO COLUMBUS

TWELVE NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS AWARDED TO COLUMBUS

With university partners, the Greater Columbus Sports Commission submitted 47 bids to host 19 NCAA championships that take place during 2019-2022. The NCAA awarded Columbus 12 championships cementing Columbus’ status as a premier NCAA host city. Here is the breakdown:

March 22-24, 2019 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball First/Second Rounds March 26-29, 2019 NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Elite Eight March 20-21, 2020 NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Championship NCAA WOMEN’S FINAL FOUR COLUMBUS LAUNCHES November 19, 2020 WITH MAYA MOORE NCAA Division III Women’s Volleyball Championship March 12-13, 2021 On February 15, more than 600 community members attended The NCAA Men’s and Women’s Rifle Championship Women’s Sports Report, presented by OhioHealth. The morning was dedicated to those that are trailblazing the way for women, for sports March 23-26, 2021 and for our community. Maya Moore, among the most elite, respected NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Elite Eight and accomplished basketball athletes, headlined the event at the Greater May 6-8, 2021 Columbus Convention Center. NCAA National Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Championship A two-time Olympic gold medalist and three-time WNBA champion, May 10-12, 2021 Maya shared how inspiration and leadership played an integral part of NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Regional her career and affected her life, both on and off the court. December 16-18, 2021 Maya also unveiled the 2018 NCAA Women’s Final Four logo with NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship partners of the Greater Columbus Sports Commission. The logo unveiling April 14-16, 2022 was the tipoff to the road to Columbus, as the city will host the event NCAA National Collegiate Women’s Bowling Championship for the first time in partnership with Ohio State and Nationwide Arena May 15-18, 2022 on March 30 and April 1, 2018. The NCAA Women’s Final Four brings the NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Regional best in women’s collegiate basketball to Columbus and the weekend also features many community events open to the public. To purchase game May 21-22, 2022 tickets or for information on the schedule and volunteer opportunities, NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Quarterfinal visit columbuswff.com. For event details visit columbussports.org. OUR PARTNERS SAY IT BEST

OhioHealth Capital City Half Marathon has grown over“ 360 percent over the last 13 years and a lot of that success is based on our relationship with the Greater Columbus Sports Commission.”

DAVID BABNER OhioHealth Capital City Half Marathon

It’s never been a question for us to participate with“ the Sports Commission because they offer the leadership and guidance in bringing events to the community that we just absolutely want to be involved with.” PATTY BARTON Huntington Bank

The partnerships that we’ve been introduced to“ has gained us a lot of exposure within Central Ohio.” RANDY FLESCH Marathon Petroleum

OUR VISION To transform Columbus into one of the world’s best sports destinations. BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

Gordon Gough | The Ohio Council of Retail EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Merchants In 2002, a group of Columbus visionaries founded Mike Gross | G&J Pepsi the Greater Columbus Sports Commission. With Brian Ellis, CTA, Chair | Nationwide Realty Michelle Wong Halabi | Kegler Brown Hill + Ritter their continued support, Columbus has become Investors Ken Haynie, CTA | Red Roof Inns one of the nation’s leading sports destinations. Joe Hamrock | NiSource Frances Henry | Fifth Third Bank With all sincerity and gratitude, we thank you! Michael Louge | OhioHealth | Cameron Mitchell Premier Events Andy Loughnane | SC Melissa Johnson Each year, additional community businesses | Arnold Sports Festival (Classic Butch Moore | WBNS 10TV Jim Lorimer, CTA believe in the mission of the Sports Commission Productions) Jason Pheister | Spectrum Sports and decided to invest in us. Within this past year, | Budros, Ruhlin & Roe, Inc. Mike Priest | JMAC/Columbus Blue Jackets Gary Marcinick the following entities have become Greater | Ernst & Young Rhett Ricart | Ricart Automotive Inc. Craig Marshall Columbus Sports Commission Corporate Partners: (representing Franklin County Convention Francois McGillicuddy | FOX Sports Ohio Advance Printing & Graphics, Columbus Downtown Facilities Authority) Ron Pizzuti | The Pizzuti Companies Development Corporation, Eldorado Scioto Downs | OhPark Airport Parking Brian Ross, CTA | Experience Columbus Mike Reynolds and Varment Guard. | Superior Beverage Group Ken Schnacke | Mike Scurria | Columbus Blue Jackets Mark Shaw, CTA | AAA Ohio Todd Sharrock | LAZ Parking/CampusParc Julie Sloat | American Electric Power Richelle Simonson For information on becoming a | PromoWest Productions Gene Smith | The Scott Stienecker Greater Columbus Sports | Bob Evans Farms, Inc. Dan Sullivan | HNS Sports Group, Inc. Mike Townsley Commission partner, contact: Guy Worley, CTA | Columbus Downtown BRIAN TIMM, CSEE, CTA Development Corporation & Capitol South Director of Corporate Partnerships BOARD MEMBERS Urban Redevelopment [email protected] 614-221-6180 David Babner | OhioHealth Capital CIty Half Marathon EX-OFFICIO BOARD MEMBERS Patty Barton | Huntington Bank Darris Blackford, CTA | Nationwide Children’s Greg Davies | City of Columbus Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon Archie Griffin | The Ohio State University Stephanie Hightower | Columbus Urban League FOUNDING PARTNERS Jon Bowsher | TIBA North America Charles Burris | Papa Johns (Johncol, Inc.) Clark Kellogg, CTA | CBS Sports Dr. Dan Ross | Ohio High School Athletic Experience Columbus RJ Cavallaro | Mills James Productions Association Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority Ryan Chenault | , CTA | Columbus Blue Jackets Nationwide Realty Investors Lisa Cisco | Travel Partners/Buckeye Cruise Katie Smith | WNBA New York Liberty Schottenstein Stores Corporation for Cancer Kenneth Wilson, CTA | Franklin County Board The Ohio State University Department of Athletics Luke Fedlam | Porter Wright of Commissioners /WBNS 10TV/97.1 The Fan Brian Ferrier | Giant Eagle Worthington Industries Randy Flesch | Marathon Petroleum

To rally Columbus to compete and win sporting events, providing a singular athlete OUR MISSION and fan experience and positively impacting our image, economy and lifestyle. GREATER COLUMBUS SPORTS COMMISSION PARTNERSHIPS

CHAMPIONSHIP PARTNERS

CORPORATE PARTNERS

Advance Printing & Graphics Ernst & Young LLP LAZ Parking Outreach Promotional Solutions Arnold Sports Festival Event Marketing Strategies Marathon Petroleum Panera Bread Artina Promotional Products Fahlgren Mortine Marketing Activations Group Papa Johns Bob Evans Farms, Inc. Fastpitch Showdowns Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Plante Moran Budros, Ruhlin & Roe, Inc. Fifth Third Bank Mills James Porter Wright Cameron Mitchell Premier Events FOX Sports Ohio MT Business Technologies PromoWest Productions G&J Pepsi Nationwide Children’s Hospital Red Roof Inns Coach Quarters Giant Eagle Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Roosters Columbus Downtown Development Hollywood Casino/Penn National Marathon Superior Beverage Group Corporation & Capitol South Gaming OhioHealth Capital City Half Marathon The Ohio Council of Retail Merchants Urban Redevelopment Huntington Bank Ohio Dominican University The Pizzuti Companies Columbus Zoo & Aquarium Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams OhioHealth Chiller Ice Rinks TIBA North America Donatos Kegler Brown Hill + Ritter, LPA Ohio Machine Travel Partners/Buckeye Cruise Eldorado Scioto Downs L Brands Foundation OhPark Airport Parking for Cancer GREATER COLUMBUS SPORTS COMMISSION PARTNERSHIPS GREATER COLUMBUS SPORTS COMMISSION TEAM

The Greater Columbus Sports Commission is a 501(c)(6) non-profit organization affiliated with Experience Columbus and the Greater Columbus Sports Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions. The Sports Commission is supported financially by public, corporate and community partners.

The Sports Commission has a team of 14 staff members and is governed by a vested Board of Commissioners.

Linda Shetina Logan, CSEE, CTA | Executive Director Brenda Carter, CTA | Executive Assistant

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Jeremy Leifel, CTA | Director, Business Development Lauren McNerney, CTA | Business Development Manager Michelle Mercer, CTA | Business Development Coordinator

CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS Brian Timm, CSEE, CTA | Director, Corporate Partnerships

EVENTS

Eric Archibald, CTA | Director, Events Ariana Tyler, CTA | Events Manager Erica Cornell, CTA | Events Assistant

MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS Bruce Wimbish, CTA | Director, Marketing & Communications Columbus ranked “Highest in Visitor Satisfaction in the Midwest” Jenn Cartmille, CTA | Marketing Manager by J.D. Power* in the 2016 Destination Experience Satisfaction Study Ashlee Hayes, CTA | Website & Graphic Design Manager Laura Brown, CTA | Marketing Coordinator Columbus, OH received the highest numerical score among 8 cities in the Midwest in the J.D. Power 2016 Destination Experience Satisfaction Study, based on 26,124 total responses, measuring the experiences and perceptions OFFICE MANAGEMENT of travelers who visited a top 50 U.S. destination, surveyed February-July Taylor Franklin, CTA | Receptionist & Office Manager 2016. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com. 2017 Annual Report

155 W. Nationwide Blvd., Ste. 125 Columbus, OH 43215 614-221-6060