Experience Columbus' vision is to be the orchestrator of a unique, positive and unparalleled experience for any and all visitors to Columbus. Experience Columbus' mission is to create, sell and market a customized "Columbus Experience" to visitors resulting in greater community prosperity and vitality through visitor spending.

View our 2009 Annual Report, released March 8, 2010.

Experience Columbus is governed by a Board of Directors and supported by more than 900 members who invest in the efforts of Experience Columbus and help make Greater Columbus an appealing destination by offering their services, attractions and facilities to visitors, meeting planners, convention delegates and residents.

In 2008, Experience Columbus earned accreditation from the Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI) and is one of only 68 destination marketing organizations to have met the rigorous standards. To do so, Experience Columbus provided evidence of compliance with 54 mandatory standards and 33 voluntary standards, including governance, finance, management, human resources, technology, visitor services, group services, sales, communications, membership, brand management, destination development, research/market intelligence, innovation and stakeholder relationships.

Experience Columbus employs approximately 40 people working in convention sales, tourism sales, convention services, membership, marketing, communications, events and sponsorship development and administration. In June 2002, Experience Columbus created the Greater Columbus Sports Commission to attract professional, collegiate, amateur and youth sports events to Greater Columbus.

In 2006, Experience Columbus formed a non-profit, 501(c)3 charitable organization. The mission of the Experience Columbus Foundation is to perform the charitable and educational activities of Experience Columbus. Major programs sponsored by the Foundation include Research, Education and Local Historic Tourism. These programs are designed to educate the public about Columbus and its historical, educational, scientific and artistic resources. The Foundation also seeks to fund research on the economic value of the tourism/travel industry both in Columbus and world-wide. Log on to The Columbus Foundation's PowerPhilanthropy Web site to view our portrait and make a secure online donation. Registration is quick and free.