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“Convening Leaders,” the 2023 flagship event for the Professional Convention Managers Association (PCMA), was a fitting start to the year for the Greater Columbus Convention Center (GCCC), a first-class venue in a vibrant city with ever-expanding meeting, hospitality and entertainment options.
PCMA kicked off 2023 over four days in January, bringing nearly 3,300 business events professionals to the city, along with $4.2 million in direct visitor spending, including nearly 9,000 room nights booked across 14 hotels.
Meetingstoday.com called the event “a triumph” — one of several glowing industry reviews. Prevuemeetings.com praised the big-name talent and speakers, including organizational psychologist Adam Grant, “Yes Theory” creators Thomas Barg and Ammar Kandil, retired Olympic track-and-field start Allyson Felix and former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, who moderated an industry panel.
By many accounts, the closing-night private performance by EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony winner) recording artist John Legend, an Ohio native, was a major highlight. Said Dan Hoffend, Executive Vice President of Convention Centers for ASM Global: “Amazing job Columbus CC! I am so proud of the work that you have accomplished to show off Columbus to the world of convention managers! John Legend definitely closed some deals tonight, too.”
Prevuemeetings.com also said organizers “walked the walk” regarding inclusiveness with excellent ADA accommodations and partnerships with the LGBT Meeting Professional Association and the National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals. Notable events included the LGBT group’s networking reception featuring local drag queen Anisa Love.
Bizbash.com loved the strong emphasis on Columbus’ local offerings, with local vendors and products highlighted throughout the event and “The 411 on Columbus,” the opening-night reception at GCCC with hundreds of exhibitors showing off what Columbus has to offer in each of the four seasons. The city put its best foot forward, with 111 local businesses featured and 364 volunteers helping with everything from wayfinding to properly sorting disposable tableware for better recycling.
Sara Stehle, independent event planner and owner of Wow Moments Experience & Event Design, had high praise: “Destinations roll out the red carpet for PCMA, but Columbus had an extra sparkle for Convening Leaders 2023. The hospitality made me feel warm and welcome, which can be a challenge in January!”
PCMA guests were welcomed and cared for from the time they were greeted at John Glenn International Airport with a band, local culinary offerings and a convenient remote conference check-in to the temporary street signs designating Nationwide Boulevard, in the heart of the city’s bustling Arena District, as “PCMA Way.” The LED-lighted archways spanning High Street in the hip Short North district were programmed to display the purple and black PCMA colors.
Guests experienced seamless collaboration between GCCC and the dazzling Hilton Columbus Downtown hotel — newly expanded to 1,000 rooms, with last year’s opening of a second tower — as both are owned by the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority (FCCFA), which also owns Nationwide Arena, home to the NHL Columbus Blue Jackets and site of the Legend concert.
Nomination Title: Greater Columbus Convention Center: PCMA Convening Leaders 2023
