Experience Columbia SC 2018-19 Annual Report

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FOCUSED ON THE FUTURE

Fiscal Year Annual Report


Contents Who We Are 2 Economic Impact ECSC Highlights Hosting NCAA

3 5 7

Marketing 9 Media Relations 11 ECSC DMO 13 ECSC Sports 15 CMCC 17 A


WE SELL COLUMBIA SC In other words, our elevator speech. We are focused on the future. Our mission is to

cheerleader for the heart of South Carolina. While

strengthen the area’s economy by promoting tourism

each entity has its own mission; the CMCC to book

in the region through active recruitment of new

and host events in the building, and ECSC DMO and

meetings, conventions, leisure travel and sporting

ECSC Sports to recruit and book events in the City of

events and by enhancing existing tourism through

Columbia and Lexington and Richland Counties, we

exceptional customer service.

are all one big family under the Authority umbrella, all working toward promoting the Columbia region as the

We want the whole world to know what makes

"Real Southern Hot Spot".

Columbia SC so great. Think of us as the biggest

EXPERIENCE COLUMBIA SC (AUTHORITY)

BOARD OF DIRECTORS CEO

MARKETING

EXPERIENCE COLUMBIA SC DESTINATION MARKETING ORGANIZATION

SALES

VISITORS CENTER

PARTNERSHIP SERVICES

FINANCE

EXPERIENCE COLUMBIA SC SPORTS

CONVENTION SERVICES

HUMAN RESOURCES

COLUMBIA SC METROPOLITIAN CONVENTION CENTER

SALES EVENTS OPERATIONS

SECURITY

ENGINEERING

The mission of Experience Columbia SC - Authority includes: Directing and managing the activities and mission of the ECSC-DMO. Overseeing the development and operation of the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center under a long-term management agreement for the benefit of the Governmental Entities: City of Columbia, Lexington County and Richland County. Directing and managing the activities and mission of the ECSC Sports. Directing and managing the operation of the Columbia SC Visitors Center.

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TOURISM BRINGS BUSINESS, INVESTMENT, CAPITAL, JOBS AND TAX DOLLARS TO THE COLUMBIA REGION A


EXPERIENCE COLUMBIA SC Economic Impact

14.8 MILLION ANNUAL VISITORS $2.3 billion direct impact

$119 MILLION 11% local/state taxes

increase from 2016

24,000 14% local jobs

supported

increase from 2016

$426.7 MILLION

$256.1 MILLION

spending on food & beverage

spending on lodging services

*Research reflects 2018 statistics & is conducted on a bi-annual basis

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EXPERIENCE COLUMBIA SC Highlights New Columbia SC Visitors Center The new Columbia SC Visitors Center, located at the corner of Lincoln and Gervais Streets, opened in September 2018. Increased visibility at this new location provides opportunity to engage with the community and connect with more visitors. Locals and travelers alike can stop in for information and shop for local products. The facility won a 2019 Preservation Award in the area of New Construction in a Historic Context.

Visitor Wayfinding Experience Columbia SC partnered with the City of Columbia, the University of South Carolina, Historic Columbia and entertainment district partners to roll out a vehicular wayfinding system designed to help direct visitors and residents to key destination points such as museums, venues, attractions and parking garages. The 222-sign system also provides a sense of place within primary entertainment districts as well as the Columbia region as a whole.

Key Events Meeting Name

Days

Attendees

Room Nights

Location

Departments Involved

Carolina9's Festival

2

1,000

140

Fields at Saluda Shoals

ECSC SPORTS

Chick-fil-A Classic

4

6,600

376

Richland NE High School

ECSC SPORTS

Coastal Plain League All-Star Show

2

1,500

194

Lex. County Baseball Stadium

ECSC SPORTS

DanceMakers

1

1,100

230

CMCC

ECSC SPORTS & CMCC

Dynamic Baseball, USC

2

700

540

Founders Park

ECSC SPORTS

Miss South Carolina Scholarship Org.

12

2,000

1,121

Township Auditorium

ECSC DMO

Nashicon

3

2,500

69

CMCC

ECSC DMO & CMCC

National Baptist Deacons Convention of America, Inc.

7

800

917

Doubletree by Hilton

ECSC DMO

NCAA Men's Basketball 1st & 2nd Rounds

5

20,000

3,553

Colonial Life Arena

ECSC SPORTS

A


3-Millionth Visitor The CMCC welcomed its 3-millionth visitor in May 2019, during the annual Richland One School District Celebration. Approximately 6,000 events have been held since the building opened. To commemorate this occasion, our President and CEO, Bill Ellen made a special announcement on stage, attendees received locally-made, branded cake pops and one randomlyselected winner went home with a gift basket.

2019 SC Governor's Conference In February, attendees of SCPRT’s annual Governor’s Conference on Tourism and Travel were given the Columbia SC experience. Tourism leaders from across the state networked with industry peers, major travel and lifestyle publications and media outlets, such as Southern Living and TripAdvisor. The conference, held at the CMCC, included keynote speakers and break-out sessions. The ECSC team hosted a welcome party for attendees, and organized tours that showed off the growth of the city as a destination.

Celebrating 35 Years June 2019 marked the start of Experience Columbia SC-DMO's 35th year in operation as the Columbia region’s destination marketing organization. For 35 years, we have cultivated relationships within the community, as well

as with visitors from all over. We have seen Columbia grow into the destination it is today and we thank you all for your continued support as we work together to make Columbia a wonderful place to visit and live.

Meeting Name

Days

Attendees

Room Nights

Location

Departments Involved

Net Elite Baseball Prime, Fireflies Bash

2

500

500

Segra Park

ECSC SPORTS

Nike Palmetto Cup

3

3,000

100

Fields at Saluda Shoals

ECSC SPORTS

SC Association of School Librarians

3

600

425

CMCC

ECSC DMO & CMCC

SC Council of Teachers of Mathematics

3

1,000

218

CMCC

ECSC DMO & CMCC

SC Green Industry Association

5

2,500

47

CMCC

ECSC DMO & CMCC

SC Music Educators Association

3

1,000

804

CMCC

ECSC DMO & CMCC

SC United Methodist Conference

5

2,500

490

Township Auditorium

ECSC DMO

SC State Firefighters Association

4

5,000

1,080

CMCC

ECSC DMO & CMCC

Southern Gas Association

5

950

566

CMCC

ECSC DMO & CMCC

St. Patrick's Day Cup

2

7,400

1,152

Multiple Soccer Complexes

ECSC SPORTS

United Sporting Companies Ellett Brothers/JSC 7

800

1,075

State Fairgrounds

ECSC DMO

Way of the Cross Church of Christ, Int'l.

800

501

Doubletree by Hilton

ECSC DMO

5

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THE ROAD to the FINAL FOUR Hosting NCAA Basketball Fans:

From bidding to preparing hospitality partners, Experience Columbia SC Sports worked tirelessly for Columbia’s time to shine in a national spotlight. Together, with the community’s support, we pulled it off without a hitch. FEBRUARY 2016 NCAA Championship Bid Specifications Published

MAY 2016 Attended NCAA Championship Host Symposium

JUNE-AUGUST 2016 Researched & Compiled Info for NCAA bids

JUNE 2016 NCAA Championship Bids Open AUGUST 2016 NCAA Championship Bids Due

OCTOBER 2017 Start Operations & Logistics Planning (ECSC SC Sports, USC

Athletics, Colonial Life Arena, City of Columbia, Richland County, State of SC, Host Hotels & CMCC)

APRIL 2017 NCAA Championship Host Sites Announced APRIL 2018 Monthly NCAA Community Engagement Meetings Begin (through February 2019)

JULY 2018

Attended NCAA Host Site Seminar

AUGUST 2018 First of Nineteen Speaking Engagements MARCH 17, 2019

Selection Sunday

MARCH 21-22

Segra Fan Fest Experience Hosted by CMCC

MARCH 21-24, 2019

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DIVISION 1 MEN'S BASKETBALL HELD IN COLUMBIA


66,619 Pieces of ECSC & NCAA branded signage displayed around town

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Giant basketball showcasing local artists & curated with the help of One Columbia & First Citizens

70+

647,493 IMPRESSIONS 9,551 ENGAGEMENTS

Volunteers worked a combined 326 hours

4,154 USES OF #REALCOLUMBIASC

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Welcome tables at host hotels, Colonial Life Arena & CAE

600+ MEDIA MENTIONS

$1.1 million in publicity value for Columbia region

30+

Community events for fans & locals alike

$11.33 MILLION DIRECT ECONOMIC IMPACT 47,977 PAID ATTENDANCE Hotel ADR increased 8% regionally and 14% in downtown $115 hotel ADR compared to $94 the previous year 8


2019 INSIDER'S GUIDE The 2019 Insider’s Guide showcased the renovation revival happening across the Columbia region where new restaurants, breweries and cafés are set within historic structures and breathing new life into historic neighborhoods. Other features included the resurgence of heirloom agriculture, outdoor fun all year long and a look at the region’s neighborhoods, events and hotels.

LOCAL AMBASSADOR PROGRAM This year, ECSC launched a “Real Local” ambassadors program to highlight the local voices and enthusiasm in our region. Each ambassador helps contribute to website and social media content to tell the Columbia SC story. Inaugural ambassadors included Vanessa Driscoll Biaolobreski (F2T Productions, Management & Catering), Anthony Goldman (Koala Bottle), Lynn Luc (SOCO/@GoCola), and Shanika Pichey (Life Is Pichey).

INFLUENCER MARKETING

PRESENTED BY COLUMBIA SC

Columbia is Calling

A guide to the ultimate romantic weekend in COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA

3.

2.

5.

4.

2

1.

T

here are some places that simply make people fall in love. Then there are the truly great places, the places that couples seek because they make people fall in love twice—both with the destination itself and with each other. That’s what happened when Nashville-based lifestyle blogger and tastemaker Ashley Wilson and her husband, Trey, spent a long weekend in Columbia, South Carolina. From eating and drinking to shopping and sightseeing, each found more than enough reasons to make this capital city a regular escape.

STAY Hotel Trundle “For us, the hotel was a highlight of the trip. We were greeted with our choice of sparkling rosé or local beer (CottonTown Brew Lab’s TropiCarolina)—Southern hospitality at its finest,” Wilson says. BONUS: The decor. From the exposed-brick walls and the kitchenette in the guest room to the quirky-meets-charming lobby, no details were missed in the hotel’s design.

SHOP Devine Street and Saluda Avenue “We popped from shop to amazing shop in the popular Five Points neighborhood and loved checking out the different buildings almost as much as discovering the products themselves.” BONUS: Most of the retail options along these shopping corridors, including boho fashion favorite Wildflower, are independently run and operated. EAT The Gourmet Shop “The chicken salad is a delicious fan favorite, but the mimosa kit and charcuterie board provided the perfect foundation for an unforgettable meal at this longtime Columbia staple.” BONUS: The takeout section features everything from rare wines and chocolates to cigars and cheeses—perfect for gifts and souvenir shopping. And don’t forget to check out the vast array of quality cookware and tableware.

DRINK Lula Drake Wine Parlour “We loved the history behind this spot, which formerly belonged to the gathering place’s namesake, Lula Drake, a woman who paved the way in the 1920s for female business owners. A trunk filled with her business cards and documents inspired the decor and logo of the wine shop.” BONUS: The menu of late-night bites, especially a truffled pasta dish with crème fraîche, black pepper, and lemon zest. SEE + DO Hampton-Preston Mansion and Gardens “We strolled by to see one of South Carolina’s oldest remaining structures, which sits on four acres of beautiful public gardens. 2018 marked the two hundredth anniversary of the site’s construction.” BONUS: Hampton-Preston is devoted to preservation and exploring the lives of enslaved workers and their planter-class owners in the antebellum South, delivering a history lesson with every visit. 1. Hotel Trundle’s lobby; 2. The Gourmet Shop’s charcuterie board and mimosa kit; 3. Wildflower’s retail space; 4. The Hampton-Preston Mansion; 5. Lula Drake Wine Parlour.

Tradition and tomorrow pair perfectly in the state’s capital city. Take a stroll through time with historic house and garden tours, or just wander along the bustling streets of downtown and take in the architecture of historic buildings transformed. Visit ExperienceColumbiaSC.com

INSIDER TIP: Don’t miss the zucchini bread ice cream from Sweet Cream Company.

To plan your own romantic weekend getaway, visit ExperienceColumbiaSC.com

We partnered with social media influencers such as @BeausAndAshley, @CocktailBandits, and @BearFootTheory to tell the Columbia SC story through social media, blogs, and top-tier travel outlets like Garden & Gun and Matador Network. This method of advertising provides an authentic look at our destination and creates a sense of inspiration for potential visitors outside of our own network.

CO-OPERATIVE MARKETING

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We assisted 25 partners with promoting their message outside of the Columbia area through our cooperative marketing program. Attractions, hotels, and festivals around the region were able to tell their story and/or drive ticket sales for events through the use of digital billboards and web banners, among other media outlet, all at discounted rates.


EXPERIENCE COLUMBIA SC Marketing

SOCIAL MEDIA 19.7 million

Over

21 MILLION

Impressions

IMPRESSIONS

190,000

Lifestyle print & digital blitz with Garden & Gun, Southern Living & The Local Palate

Total Followers (as of June 30, 2019)

WEBSITE 1.3 million Visits

730,000+

Organic Visits

Over

TELEVISION 13,280,457

Impressions

1,308,364 NCAA 11,972,093 General

250,000 MEETING PLANNER

GUIDES DISTRIBUTED Through meeting industry publications & at tradeshows

BILLBOARD 87,096,325 Impressions

5,983,429 NCAA 81,112,896 General

National Television Commercial Campaign on Cooking Channel, Food Network, Hallmark Channel, OWN Network, Travel Channel, History Channel & regional network affiliates across the southeast.

Publication Advertising

Leisure

Garden & Gun, Southern Living, Atlanta Magazine, The Local Palate, Creative Loafing Charlotte, Charleston City Paper, Palmetto Magazine and Augusta Metro Spirit

Sports

Rowing News, Sports Events and Sports Destination Management

Meetings

General Advertising &/or Meeting Insert RCMA Emerge, ASAE Associations Now, PCMA Convene, Successful Meetings, Venues Now, M&C (Meetings & Conventions), Meetings Today, Convention South, MPI The Meeting Professional, & GASociety of Association

Executives (GSAE) directory, Connect Faith, Connect Association and Connect Corporate, Convention South and SC Society of Association Executives (SCSAE) directory

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“Everywhere you go, you get the sense the city is enjoying itself.” Elizabeth Florio, Southbound & Atlanta Magazines, April 2019

“The development catalyzed growth –

places to eat, drink, and shop popped up to support the new residential audience, nearly all

indie businesses with singular, foodieloving concepts.” Stephanie Burnette, TOWN Magazine, July 2018

“Whether you’re an outdoor adventure seeker, history buff, art enthusiast, foodie, or parent of young children, there is an activity for you. Find your niche,

pack your day-trip bags and take a short drive to Columbia! You’ll be in the center “River adventure, sans crowds? Sign us up.

Get on the water to marvel at awe-inspiring timber in Congaree, one of our country’s premier spots for tree tours. You can canoe and kayak, or hike along Cedar Creek in blissful privacy on one of the park’s many marked trails.”

of good times at the center of South Carolina.”

Rebecca Cross, Florence Morning News, June 2019

Sunny Montefiore, Men's Journal, October 2018

"An average high of 63 in February. An easy drive from Atlanta or Raleigh. A range of family-friendly eateries and activities, plus a huge children’s museum and an award-winning zoo. No, we’re

not talking about Charleston or Savannah, we’re talking about South Carolina’s capital: Columbia.” Susan Shain, Go Escape Magazine October 2018

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EXPERIENCE COLUMBIA SC Media Relations

One way Experience Columbia SC strives to live out its mission is through public and media relations efforts. We promote the

Columbia region by pitching story ideas and hosting media to garner regional, national and international destination coverage.

THE REAL

THING

Spend the weekend in South Carolina’s capital city, Columbia, which has emerged from the coast’s shadow as an awesome getaway in its own right. TUCKER PRESCOTT

BY ELIZABETH FLORIO

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OU U TT H HB BO OU UN ND ® S P R I N G + SS O

tanks instead of airplanes—is an ideal spot to enjoy the signature ESB (Extra Special Bitter). Climb the stairs to the rooftop S U M M E Robservation 2019 deck and spy the harvest of City Roots across the way; yes, it’s the same urban farm you’ve seen on menus around the city. huntergather erbrewery.com 7 p.m.

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Quack Madame

Lamb Mac

9 p.m.

12:30 ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS p.m.

at the Terra

SIPS AND STRIKES

Head back in the direction of the hotel— but not to bed. Order a Cottontown Tropicarolina IPA and a pair of bowling shoes at The Grand, a restaurant and boutique bowling alley housed in a former vaudeville theater of the same name. (Wouldn’t you know, they found the old sign.) While you wait for your lane (reserved online in advance, ideally), play

Congaree National

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BIGSTOCK; B RETT FLASH NICK;

SHUTTERSTO

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8 a.m.

SSOOUUTTHHBBOOUUNN DD ®® SSPPRRIINNGG ++ SSUUM MM MEERR 22001199

Park

bocce on the patio, or test your pouring finesse on the self-serve beer taps in the basement. thegrandonm ain.com

DAY 2

The Grand

82 82

77 77

can’t make reservations , but call twenty minutes ahead to get on the wait list). Bypass the popular “hangover hashbrowns” and order the pillowy cinnamon pancakes. Tip: If the hike left you famished, ask for a bowl of grits as a starter. Eating the creamy concoction—stone-groun d from a Columbia mill—piping hot is an almost religious experience. cafestrudel.co m

LOCAL FLAVOR

Every Southern city needs a standardbearing New Southern restaurant to showcase the bounty of local farmers. In Columbia, that’s Terra. Chef Mike Davis opened his slow-food haven in the first serious farm-to-tabl 2006, e spot in town. Situated on a hill across the river from downtown, the restaurant offers striking views of the city skyline. Davis’s sophisticated-yet-access ible approach shows up in signature dishes such as the Quack Madame, a riff on croque madame, featuring duck confit, caramelized onions, and a Manchester Farms quail egg over house-made brioche; or the Lamb Mac, smoked lamb shoulder with poblano peppers, fontina, and Split Creek Farms goat cheese. Bookend your meal with house-made charcuterie and an inspired seasonal dessert. terrasc.com

moss-covered cypress knees, you’ll spot plenty of snakes and turtles, maybe even a gator or two. nps.gov/cong 11 REQUISITE BIG BRUNCH a.m.

WALK IN THE WOODS

The early bird gets the rejuvenating hike. Snag a compliment ary pastry from local bakeshop Ally & Eloise in the hotel lobby or a house-made croissant from SmallSugar, a cafe in the Vista. Then hit the road, traveling about twenty miles southeast to Congaree National Park. America’s youngest national park, dubbed “Redwoods of the East,” boasts six national champion trees (the tallest known examples of their the largest tract of old-growth species), plus bottomland hardwood forest in the Southeast. The Congaree and Wateree rivers have long flooded the land some ten times a year, fueling these giants with nutrient-ric h sediment while deterring loggers. (The remote forest has also proved an ideal refuge for runaway slaves and moonshiner s in years past.) The most popular trail is a 2.4-mile boardwalk loop that keeps your feet dry, except on the soggiest days. (Do bring bug spray.) Besides towering loblolly pines and

Head back to your hotel with enough time to shower, check out, and make an 11 a.m. date at West Columbia’s Cafe Strudel. Bottomless coffee and flowing breakfast booze draw a crowd to this artsy eatery (you

You don’t need a kid in your crew a trip to one of the Southeast’s to justify best zoos; you’ll feel like one as you proffer a handful of kale to the darting tongue of a giraffe. The Riverbank s Zoo counts lions, tigers, koalas, sea lions, and gorillas (including a gorilla baby) among its diverse residents. Immersive experiences such as giraffe feedings (hurry, they end at 1:30) and the barrier-free Kangaroo Walkabout are highlights. Even the non-immersive habitats feel up-close; you might exchange eye contact with an elephant as she munches vegetation near your path. Save time for a tram ride to the adjacent botanical garden, heirloom roses. riverbanks.or famed for its g

Riverbanks Zoo SSPPRRIINNGG ++ SSU UM MM MEERR 22001199 ®® SSOOUUTTHHBBOOUUNN DD

83 83

Clockwise from top left: Elizabeth Florio, Southbound Magazine (April 2019); Rebecca Cross, Florence Morning News (June 2019); Stephanie Burnette, TOWN Magazine (July 2018).

Columbia SC Pimento Cheese Passport In April 2019, we celebrated National Pimento Cheese Day by staking our claim on the southern staple and launching the Columbia SC Pimento Cheese Passport. The program showcases a diverse array of pimento cheese dishes from 14 local restaurants. Pick one up at the Columbia SC Visitors center or at any of the participating restaurants and get started for a chance to win a $50 gift card!

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STORIES GARNERED

129 18 MEDIA

HOSTED

PRESS VISITS

LEADS 12


"We enjoy working with Experience Columbia SC as a partner hotel because we know how valuable their work and efforts are to small business owners in our industry. Their support and one on one attention to our hotel and to us personally is exceptional. We always feel we are among friends when working with everyone on the team and value the streamlined communication we receive!" Rita Patel, Owner, Hotel Trundle

“In my 10 years in the hospitality industry I have never worked with a group that is eager, organized and as professional as our Experience Columbia SC Staff. Site visits are always well organized and it is always motivating seeing endless opportunities the staff is working on bringing to Columbia."

"We sat together on a plane from Columbia and you (Twila) helped me with hotel reservations for my daughter's wedding. I just wanted to tell you how helpful that was to have those rooms! My daughter was married in June and it all went beautifully! Plus we LOVED the hotel. It was so wonderful to be that close to the Lace House and to the Vista. We will definitely stay there again. The personnel at the hotel are so very nice and helpful!" Melissa Wernersbach, Unexpected DMO Client

David Erbacher, Director of Sales & Marketing, Hyatt Place Columbia/ Downtown/The Vista

13

The mission of the Experience Columbia SC – DMO is to strengthen the area’s economy by marketing and selling the region, its accommodations, meeting facilities, restaurants, facilities and attractions as a premier destination for meetings, conventions, tradeshows, special events and leisure travel and by working cooperatively with the hospitality community providing informative materials and assistive services that enhance and promote the desired image of the metropolitan area. For more info visit ExperienceColumbiaSC.com


Nearly

$18 MILLION IN ECONOMIC IMPACT

155

Contracted Events

137K Future Attendees

From DMO Meetings & Conventions

TOP 10 STATES REQUESTING COLUMBIA SC INFO. SC • FL • NC • GA • OH • PA • NY • TX • VA • CA

239

Potential Sales Leads

182

Events Serviced

68

New Local Partners

160K

Insider's Guides Distributed

Hotel Performance City of Columbia, Richland & Lexington Counties

66.4%

Fiscal Year Occupancy

$94.28 Average Daily Rate

$62.88 Revenue Per Available Room

14


“I met some guys from Richmond at Cottontown Brew Lab and they said this visit totally changed their perception of Columbia and SC as a whole. High praise indeed and a testament to the efforts of you and your team." Columbia SC Local

“People from our office are taking notice of what you guys are doing! Great job on promoting Columbia. Good luck with the next few days and have some fun!" Andy Clinton, VP of Sales, Visit York County

“You get A+ for free parking and shuttle transportation! We never had free service at any of the 10+ tournaments we attended. The staff members were both helpful and courteous. We felt very safe at all times, which has not been the case at all previous tournaments. Delays were minimal. You folks could give lessons on customer service!!" Carol Kendall, Sunset Beach, NC

“You've got a really wonderful local organizing committee here. The city, the whole community's been really, really excited to make it all work well. And so far everything's fabulous." Mark Emmert, NCAA President

15

"Thank you to the city of Columbia. Wow! What a beautiful city!" Mike Krzyzewski, Head Basketball Coach, Duke University

The mission of the Experience Columbia SC Sports is to strengthen the area’s economy by marketing and selling the region as a premier destination for sporting events, partnering with local sports organizations to grow and develop existing events, and by recruiting new events which provide an economic benefit to the region by generating room nights, food and beverage sales and associated tax revenues. For more info visit ColumbiaSCSports.com


Over

$15 MILLION IN ECONOMIC IMPACT

41%

37

Were New Events

Total Events Booked

From Sports Events Hosted

NCAA MARCH MADNESS IN COLUMBIA

College Sports Event of the Year, Nomination in Sports Travel Magazine 2019 Champion of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism, Sports Destination Management Magazine

7

Print

9

Radio

48

11

TV/Online

21

In-person

Media & Speaking Appearances

Key Conferences Attended Sports ETA Women's Summit, NASC Symposium, S.P.O.R.T.S. The Relationship Conference, 4S Summit, Connect Women in Sports Tourism, TEAMS Conference, US Sports Conference, US Rowing Annual Convention

140,180 ATTENDEES HOSTED

FROM 40 SPORTS EVENTS

119

Face-to-Face Appointments with Sports Events Owners

8

Tradeshows Attended

16


“This past year we have seen a sizable financial boost in our sales. I have attributed this increase in sales to both the quality and quantity of events and conventions at the Convention Center. From the small insurance company gatherings to large scale events like Comic Con, all businesses in the Vista are tethered to the Convention Center. Thanks again for a wonderful year and we look forward to what you have in store for the future!” Tyler White, General Manager The Hickory Tavern

“I had a positive experience from start to finish. I am grateful for the service provided leading up to the event and on the day of the event as well as the cleanliness and location of the facility. We will certainly reach out again for future events!”

“Everyone at the Columbia Convention Center went so far above and beyond our exceptions. Everything went perfectly! The attention to detail from our event to F&B and even to the sweetest 10 year anniversary cake for our team was truly outstanding. Thank you so much to everyone that made our event so successful!" Felicia Taylor, Dancemakers

Allison Shaw, Capital City Financial

“I want you to know that I was very pleased with how our event was carried out on your end. Virtually seamless! And I truly appreciated how responsive the entire staff was regarding last minute issues/needs that popped up. Special kudos to Phil and his team for helping with the giant cake and feeding our staff at the registration tables.” Cassie Barber, SC First Steps

17

The mission of the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center is to provide a first-class venue offering superior operations management and state-of-the-science amenities for the successful coordination of meetings, conventions, tradeshows, entertainment and other special events utilizing the facility; enhancing the economic viability and image of the area. For more info visit ColumbiaConventionCenter.com


Record -Setting

1.36 MILLION IN CONTRACTED REVENUE TOP 3 MARKETS

368

96,798

Annual Attendees

Energy savings year over year with LED Lighting

Were New Events

1. Corporate — 2. Association — 3. Education

236,851

28%

36%

Total Events Booked

Meals Served

80%

Of food sourced within 150 miles during growing season

34%

Waste diverted from landfills

18


ExperienceColumbiaSC.com

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