Columbus reeling in those big events

November 20, 2014

COLUMBUS (Lu Ann Stoia) — The NCAA site selection committee came to the city in September, and what they saw must have gotten their attention.  Columbus was tapped for the 2018 Women’s Final Four Basketball Championship at Nationwide Arena in the Arena District of downtown Columbus, and now city leaders are hoping “one great decision leads to another one,” said Brian Ross, CEO of Experience Columbus.
After at least 18 months of planning and presentations, Vicki Chorman, General Manager of Nationwide Arena said it shows every other organization Columbus can do large scale events.
“Come here, your guests will love it, they are going to love the community, but we are also proving we can do these big events,” said Chorman. “I honestly think we will get more fans of Columbus, because I think people will come back to Columbus once they have had this opportunity.”
Experience Columbus estimates tourism is an $8.7 billion industry for Central Ohio. The Women’s Final Four is expected to bring in about 40,000 fans and $20 million in visitor spending.
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