Columbus is a city built on support, and nowhere is that more evident than at the Columbus Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting. This event brought together businesses, entrepreneurs, and community leaders for an electrifying meeting filled with big ideas and even bigger opportunities. As always, we’re incredibly grateful for everything the Chamber does for our team and the local business community.
This year was extra special for us—we got to experience the event from two perspectives: as attendees and as exhibitors. Here’s what stood out!
As an Attendee: An Electrifying Look at Columbus’ Future
The Chamber knocked it out of the park with this event. The speaker lineup was diverse, featuring voices from nonprofits to Fortune 500 companies, all united under the theme: “Ignite US.” The energy in the room was contagious, setting the stage for an exciting future 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.
We left feeling inspired, energized, and confident that 2025 will be a game-changer for Columbus!
As an Exhibitor: Back in the Game
It’s been a while since we exhibited in person (thanks, COVID), but we were excited to be back connecting face-to-face with other 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, mixing business with personal stories. 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 just to post, blogging without strategy, and creating content that doesn’t convert. The good news? They’re ready for change, and we’re ready to help!
The Bad: Lessons for Next Time
- Hesitation at our table 🤔: While people instantly understood our theme, they didn’t realize we were handing out gum. Some even thought our display was Post-it notes! Once we said, “Want something to chew on,” it clicked.
- For next time 💡: A big, bold sign that says “FREE GUM” 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.
- Next time 💡: We’ll keep conversations short and impactful to maximize our reach.
The Ugly: An Overstocked Supply!
- Gum Galore 🍬: We may have slightly overestimated how many people would grab a pack of gum. Let’s just say we’re well-stocked for the foreseeable future. 😅
- Next time 💡: No worries! We’ll hand them out the remaining gum at future events and meetings throughout the year.
See You at the Columbus Chamber!
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? Reach out to the Chamber—or ask us about our experience! Stay tuned for more insights from our local Chamber events. See you at the next one! 🚀
