Feb. 11, 2026, 4:12 a.m. ET Experience Columbus, the city's destination marketing organization, is celebrating its 85th anniversary. The local travel economy generates $8.2 billion in spending and supports over 82,500 jobs in Greater Columbus. Brian Ross is the president and CEO of Experience Columbus. In the mid-1800s, Columbus faced a major challenge. A convention was coming to town, one of the earliest on record in our city's history. Columbus had just 6,000 residents. The event drew 23,000 people.