Columbus is a thriving city, as evidenced by the Columbus Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting, Ignite Us. This event brought together businesses, entrepreneurs, and community leaders for an electrifying meeting filled with big ideas and even bigger opportunities. This year was extra special for us because we got to experience the event as an attendee and as an exhibitor.
Below are the details of what we learned, along with what stood out.
As an Attendee: The Future is Bright for Columbus
The speaker lineup was diverse, featuring voices from nonprofits to Fortune 500 companies, all united under the theme: “Ignite US.” They shared their perspective on the growth and what’s booming in their sector. The energy in the room was contagious, setting the stage for an amazing outlook in Columbus.
Here’s our major takeaways:
- Big plans for Columbus: Talks of new transit systems, 200,000 affordable homes, and rapid population growth all signal strong economic momentum.
- A city on the rise: Columbus is expanding, and businesses are poised to benefit from the city’s expanding opportunities. It’s definitely a great place for a marketing agency like Uplancer!
- Engaging conversations: We met the new Chamber board members and heard firsthand about their vision for the future.
As attendees, we felt inspired and confident that 2025 and beyond will be a game-changer for Columbus!
As an Exhibitor: The Right Decision Makers Were in the Room
It’s been a while since we last exhibited in person (thanks, COVID), but we were excited to reconnect face-to-face with local businesses. Here’s a breakdown of the good, bad, and ugly parts of our experience:
The Good: A Standout Event`
- Top-notch setup: The colors, lights, and layout were beautifully executed. Exhibitors were positioned front and center, giving us great visibility as attendees arrived.
- Memorable branding: Our bubble gum theme was a hit! Our marketing materials stood out, and our “common sense digital marketing” concept really stuck with people and gave them something to chew on, literally (our gum giveaway tied it all together)!
- Engaged attendees: People were eager to talk. Columbus’ signature Midwest hospitality was in full effect!
- A caring chamber team: Huge shoutout to Nick Tafoya and the chamber staff for making the event seamless, informative, and an absolute success.
- A digital marketing reality check: Many attendees shared their struggles with ineffective digital marketing: posting to post, blogging without a strategy, and creating content that doesn’t convert. The good news? They were ready for some change.
The Bad: Need Better User Experience for Next Time
- Hesitation at our table: While people instantly understood our theme, they didn’t realize we were handing out gum. Once we said, “Want something to chew on,” it clicked. For next time, a big, bold sign that says “FREE GUM” or pulling the gum out of the sleeve a bit for better visuals should do the trick!
- Networking flew by: With over 1,000 attendees, it was impossible to meet everyone. The networking session moved fast, and before we knew it, we had spoken to 20+ people at our table.
The Ugly: An Overstocked Gum Supply!
- Gum Galore: We may have slightly overestimated the number of people who would grab a pack of gum by the hundreds! No worries, though, we’ll hand out the remaining gum at future events and meetings throughout the year. Update as of December 2025: We still have gum to hand out!
Net-Net: See You at the Next Columbus Chamber Event!
If you’re on the fence about joining a local Chamber, we highly recommend the Columbus Chamber! The opportunities for networking, learning, and growing your business are unmatched. And as of February 2026, we definitely had a positive ROI as members!
Have questions or looking to get the most out of your Columbus Chamber? Reach out to the Chamber or ask us about our experience! See you at the next event!
