Columbus is a city positioned to thrive, as evidenced at 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 attendees and as exhibitors.
Below are the details of both experiences, along with what stood out.
As an Attendee: An Exciting Look at Columbus’s Future
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 to expect from their sector. The energy in the room was contagious, setting the stage for an amazing outlook in Columbus.
Some 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 thriving, and businesses are poised to benefit from the city’s expanding opportunities.
- Engaging conversations: We met the new Chamber board members and heard firsthand about their vision for the future.
As attendees, we left feeling inspired and confident that 2025 will be a game-changer for Columbus!
As an Exhibitor: Feels Good to Talk with Decision Makers
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 our breakdown of the experience as an exhibitor:
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 (the 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. Having more people would help with traffic.
The Ugly: An Overstocked Supply!
- Gum Galore: We may have slightly overestimated how many people 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 more gum to hand out!
See You at the Next Columbus Chamber Event!
If you’re on the fence about joining the Columbus Chamber, we highly recommend it! The opportunities for networking, learning, and growing your business are unmatched.
Have questions or looking to get the most out of your Columbus Chamber? Reach out to the Chamber or ask about our experience! See you at the next one!
