News you need to know
Experience Columbus certified as an outstanding nonprofit
The Ohio Association of Nonprofit Organizations recently awarded Experience Columbus its Standards for Excellence certification, given to nonprofit organizations that promote ethical practices and accountability. The certification as one of Ohio’s outstanding nonprofit organizations is good for five years. Experience Columbus also received a Standards for Excellence certification in 2005.
Stay tuned to the Columbus Conversation
Keep up with news about where to dine, play, shop and stay in Columbus with the newly launched Columbus Conversation. Visit the Columbus Conversation on the Experience Columbus blog or sign up to receive automatic updates.
AAA Four Diamond winners
Five Columbus hotels and two restaurants received AAA’s Four Diamond rating. New this year was the Hilton Columbus/Polaris. Other hotels receiving the honor were Hyatt Capitol Square (26th year), The Westin Columbus (13th year), Hilton Columbus at Easton (ninth year) and The Columbus, A Renaissance Hotel (second year). The Refectory won for the 15th year, while M won for a fourth time.
Ohio Tourism Leadership Academy graduates inaugural class
Six Experience Columbus members and a staff member were among the inaugural class of the Ohio Tourism Leadership Academy. The year-long program was started by the Ohio Travel Association to develop leaders in the Ohio tourism industry.
The inaugural class of 2009 included:
Chrissy Blackwell, Tuscarawas County Convention & Visitors Bureau
Sara Djubek, Ohio Magazine
Janet Johnson, Ohio Travel Association
Susan Peters, COSI
Claudia Plumley, Experience Columbus
Melanie Shickel, Gahanna Convention & Visitors Bureau
Mary Szymkowiak, Dublin Convention & Visitors Bureau
Advertise your business to visitors and tour operators
Get your business in front of visitors and group travel planners by advertising in Experience Columbus publications. Advertising closes Dec. 10 for the spring Visitors Guide and Jan. 25 for the 2010 Columbus Tour Planner Guide. Members receive a 10 percent discount.
To buy an ad or for more details, contact Columbus Custom Publishing. Visitors Guide - Bryan McMahan. Tour Planner Guide - Susan Kendall or SueAnn Shelter. Plan ahead with a complete calendar of advertising deadlines.
Fred Harris receives lifetime award
Experience Columbus board member Fred Harris received a Lifetime of Achievement award from the Greater Columbus Lodging Council. His 50-plus years in the Columbus hospitality industry include 35 years as general manager of the Holiday Inn on the Lane. He’s pictured with Kathyrn Burton, the general manager of the Crowne Plaza and The Lofts, who was named the 2009 General Manager of the Year.
Award-winning work by Experience Columbus and its members
Experience Columbus won acclaim for its quarterly Visitors Guide from the Ohio Society of Association Executives. The Visitors Guide was honored with OSAE’s Achievement Award for best publication.
Experience Columbus, Woodhaven Farm and ONN-TV won two International Davey Awards for excellence in creative marketing strategies for the television show “Chef Tami.” The competition attracted more than 5,000 entries from across the nation.
The Delaware and Dublin convention & visitors bureaus received Middy Awards from the Ohio Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus. Delaware won best print advertisement and finished second for its visitors guide and annual report. Dublin won best radio spot and placed second for its Web site and meeting planner guide.
Four Experience Columbus members received Ruby Awards from the Ohio Travel Association. The Wilds won four honors, including sweeping first and second place for television advertisement. The Wilds also won for best print advertisement and was second in electronic media. Winning two categories each were COSI for its blog and school program guide, and Great Wolf Lodge for radio advertisement and newsletter. The Dublin Convention & Visitors Bureau won best annual report and was second for its blog.
Experience Columbus is the official travel and tourism resource for Columbus, Ohio
277 W. Nationwide Blvd., Ste. 125 - Columbus, Ohio 43215
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