The Greater Columbus Convention Center (GCCC) will use its building to promote travel across Ohio through a new tourism partnership.
Ohio brand moves inside GCCC
The Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority and the Ohio Department of Development announced the new effort. It brings the “Ohio, The Heart of It All” tourism brand into one of the state’s busiest visitor sites.
The campaign will appear through wallscapes, digital displays, travel content, and other signs inside the center. In addition, the center’s main ballroom has been renamed the Heart of It All Ballroom.
The goal is simple. The partners want convention, meeting, sports, and tradeshow visitors to stay longer, visit more Ohio cities, and return for future trips.
Partnership runs through 2031
The agreement includes naming rights, advertising services, and shared travel marketing inside the facility. It runs through March 31, 2031.
More than one million visitors pass through the GGCCC each year, according to the release. The center is also the largest convention center in Ohio. It offers 1.8 million square feet of meeting and exhibit space.
Ken Paul, executive director of the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority, says the partnership gives the center a way to highlight Ohio destinations. It also adds travel ideas for visitors already in the building.
Ohio tourism sets records
The announcement follows a record year for Ohio tourism. According to TourismOhio, the state welcomed 245 million visits in 2025.
Those visits generated $58 billion in economic impact. They also supported more than 447,000 jobs and produced $4.8 billion in state and local tax revenue.
Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development, says the convention center already brings visitors to the state. Now, the new partnership can encourage them to stay longer and explore more communities.
TourismOhio also reports that 93 percent of overnight visitors say they are likely to return to Ohio within the next 12 months.
“The best tourism investment isn’t always convincing someone to come to Ohio. Sometimes it’s helping someone who’s already here discover one more reason to come back,” says Sarah Wickham, state tourism director.
The Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority owns and oversees the Greater Columbus Convention Center, Hilton Columbus Downtown, Nationwide Arena, and six parking facilities. For more info, visit meetusincolumbus.com.
The Greater Columbus Convention Center offers 1.8 million square feet of meeting and exhibit space in downtown Columbus, Ohio. For more info, visit www.columbusconventions.com.
Press release submitted by the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority and the Ohio Department of Development. Edited by Exhibit City News for clarity, length, and style.
