Ohio State launches new resource to elevate university as an event destination
Ohio State Events makes it easier to discover, plan and host memorable events across campus
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The Ohio State University |
The Ohio State University today announced the launch of Ohio State Events, a university-wide resource connecting external meeting and event planners, as well as Ohio State faculty and staff, with venues, experiences and expertise across the university.
One of the few university-based initiatives of its kind in the country, Ohio State Events serves as a central point of access for planners and helps to attract events such as conferences, meetings, athletic competitions, symposia, celebrations and other events to campus.
The no-cost resource helps planners navigate site selection, event proposals, site visits and the more than 150 rentable spaces on the institution’s Columbus campus. Ohio State Events also connects planners with the university’s many event-related resources, including catering and dining, transportation, technology and on-site event support. This coordinated approach is particularly valuable for complex events that span multiple venues and require services and expertise from across the university.
The new Ohio State Events website (ohiostateevents.com) gives planners a starting point to explore venue and service options and learn more about hosting an event at Ohio State.
“This initiative will enhance the academic reputation of the university and support its overall academic mission by attracting and convening events that will bring scholarship, innovation and creativity directly to our campus,” said Xen Riggs, vice president of business advancement and chief operating officer of athletics at Ohio State.
Recent events hosted on campus have ranged from national academic conferences to international athletic competitions utilizing multiple Ohio State venues and services.
“We have incredible spaces across Athletics, Student Life, academic facilities and other signature campus locations,” Riggs said. “What makes Ohio State Events special is not just identifying a venue, but the expertise and experiences we can surround events with to simplify the planning process and make an event truly unforgettable.”
The launch also formalizes Ohio State’s partnership with Experience Columbus, the city’s official destination marketing organization, and the Greater Columbus Sports Commission, an LLC of Experience Columbus. Located in the heart of one of the Midwest’s fastest-growing cities — where more than half the U.S. population lives within a single day’s drive or one-hour flight — Ohio State provides an accessible and attractive event hub.
“Ohio State is an integral part of the Columbus experience, and this partnership allows us to connect the university’s extraordinary event capabilities with the hotels, attractions, restaurants and culture our city offers,” said Sarah Townes, chief marketing and innovation officer for Experience Columbus and the Greater Columbus Sports Commission. “Columbus is a premier destination for meetings, conventions and sporting events, and through this new initiative, meeting planners will have unprecedented access to Buckeye Nation and unique experiences that create unforgettable events.”
Ohio State Events is the public-facing name of the Office of Events and Experiences, whose goal is to streamline the event planning process while helping planners take advantage of the depth of venues and event resources available across Ohio State.
“Events are one of the most powerful ways universities share knowledge, build partnerships and advance their mission,” said Kelly Mulhern, senior director of sales for Ohio State Events. “Our role is to help turn opportunities into meaningful connections by bringing the right people, places and resources together to create experiences that have lasting impact.”
