UPCOMING CONVENTION AND SPORTS EVENTS
May 2015
OHIO VALLEY REGION KAEPA GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS | May 23; May 9-10; May 16-17
For three weekends in May, the Greater Columbus Convention Center will be filled with outstanding
youth volleyball. The top girls’ teams from Ohio, Western Pennsylvania, and West Virginia will
compete for the regional championship.
Schedule:
May 2-3: 14 years and under, 17 years and under, 18 years and under
May 9-10: 10 years and under, 12 years and under, 16 years and under
May 16-17: 13 years and under, 15 years and under
Attendance:
20,000
Meals:
Attendees are on their own for meals
Location:
Greater Columbus Convention Center
Website:
www.ovr.org
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/ovrbeach
Group Contact:
Ron Wyzynski, [email protected]
Sports Commission Contact:
Ariana Tyler, [email protected]
OHIOHEALTH CAPITAL CITY HALF MARATHON | May 2
The 12th Annual OhioHealth Capital City Half Marathon will take runners and walkers on “the best tour
of Columbus on two feet.” The race begins at the corner of Town Street and Front Street and takes
participants north, mostly along Olentangy River Road, to The Ohio State University campus. Other
races to be held that day are the Patron Quarter Marathon and the Commit To Be Fit 5K.
Schedule:
8 a.m. – OhioHealth Capital City Half Marathon
8 a.m. – Patron Quarter Marathon
8:20 a.m. – Commit To Be Fit 5K
9 a.m.-1 p.m. – Byers Xtra Mile Finish Line Party
9 a.m.-1 p.m. – Michelob ULTRA Post Race Concert
8 a.m.-12 p.m. – Columbus Commons Family Fun Zone
9-11 a.m. – Capital Kids Fit & Fun Village
6 a.m.-1 p.m. – The Diamond Cellar VIP Tent
Attendance:
20,000
Meals:
Complimentary Papa John’s Pizza and Snowville Chocolate Milk
Location:
Downtown Columbus
Website:
www.capitalcityhalfmarathon.com
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/CapCityHalf
Group Contact:
David Babner, [email protected]
Sports Commission Contact:
Eric Archibald, [email protected]
NCAA DIVISION I TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS | May 6-10
This regional championship will be held at The Ohio State University’s Varsity Outdoor Tennis Court
from Wednesday, May 6 to Sunday, May 10.
Attendance:
2,000
Meals:
Attendees will be on their own for meals
Location:
The Ohio State University – Varsity Outdoor Tennis Court
Website:
www.ncaa.com/sports/tennis-men/d1
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/ncaa
Group Contact:
Ericka Hoon, [email protected]
Sports Commission Contact:
Ariana Tyler, [email protected]
BIG TEN SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT | May 7-9
The 2015 Big Ten Softball Tournament, hosted by The Ohio State University, will be held at Buckeye
Field from Thursday, May 7 to Saturday, May 9.
Attendance:
10,000
Meals:
Attendees are on their own for meals
Location:
The Ohio State University – Buckeye Field
Website:
www.bigten.org/sports/w-softbl/big10-w-softbl-body.html
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/bigtenconference
Group Contact:
John Bugner, [email protected]
Sports Commission Contact:
Ariana Tyler, [email protected]
OHIO HIGH SCHOOL STATE BASS FISHING CHAMPIONSHIPS | May 8-9
Columbus will host the Ohio High School Bass Fishing Championships for the first time at Alum
Creek Reservoir. Competition will begin on Friday, May 8 and conclude on Saturday, May 9 as the
best bass fishers in the state compete for the title of State Champion!
Attendance:
1,000
Meals:
Attendees are on their own for meals
Location:
Alum Creek Reservoir
Website:
http://bassfederation.com/
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/TheBassFederation
Group Contact:
Mark Gintert, [email protected]
Sports Commission Contact:
Ariana Tyler, [email protected]
MARCON | May 8-10
Multiple Alternate Realities Convention
Marcon is the Midwest’s premier fantasy and science fiction convention. The event features
something for everyone interested in the fantasy or science fiction genre from art, costuming, film and
gaming to literary, media, science and video, plus children’s programs, an art show, and a dance and
masquerade. A dealer’s room is set aside for those wishing to expand their science fiction, comic
book, jewelry or costuming collections.
Attendance:
1,900
Meals:
Attendees are on their own for all meals
Exhibits:
Approximately 50 vendors. Open to the public with paid admission.
Location:
Arena District Hyatt Regency
Website:
www.marcon.org
Twitter:
@marconOH
Group Contact:
Kim Williams, [email protected]
Experience Columbus Contact:
Sharon Levine, [email protected]
PASTIME TOURNAMENTS ALL-AMERICAN MEMORIAL CLASSIC | May 23-25
The All-American Memorial Classic, run by Dublin’s the Memorial Tournament staff, has become one
of the premier tournaments in the Midwest. The tournament regularly features teams from across the
state of Ohio as well as Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Canada.
There will be separate divisions for each age group.
Attendance:
3,000
Meals:
Attendees are on their own for meals
Location:
Dublin Jerome High School, Dublin Scioto High School, Olentangy Liberty High
School, Olentangy Orange High School, and Dublin Coffman High School
Website:
www.pastimetournaments.com
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/pastimebaseball
Group Contact:
Amanda Shepherd, [email protected]
Sports Commission Contact:
Ariana Tyler, [email protected]
INTERNATIONAL TRUMPET GUILD | May 26-30
The 40th International Trumpet Guild Conference will feature world-class artists and ensembles.
Attendance:
1,000
Meals:
Attendees on their own for meals, except for a Saturday evening banquet
Exhibits:
Closed to the public
Location:
Hyatt Regency
Website:
www.trumpetguild.org
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/InternationalTrumpetGuild
Twitter:
@ITGupdates
Group Contact:
Andrea Rush, [email protected]
Experience Columbus Contact:
Diane Share, [email protected]
OHSAA BOYS STATE TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS | May 29-30
The OHSAA 2015 Boys State Tennis Championships will be held Friday, May 29 and Saturday, May
30. The two-day event will be hosted by The Ohio State University and take place at the OSU
Outdoor Varsity Tennis Courts. Play for each day begins at 9 a.m., with the First Round and
Quarterfinals on Friday and the Semifinals and Finals on Saturday.
Schedule:
Friday, May 29 – 9 a.m. Division I Singles, followed by Division II Singles,
followed by Doubles Teams
Saturday, May 30 – 9 a.m. Division I Singles, followed by Division II Singles,
followed by Doubles Teams
Attendance:
1,500
Meals:
Attendees are on their own for meals
Location:
The Ohio State University – Varsity Tennis Courts
Website:
www.ohsaa.org/Sports/te/boys/default.asp
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/ohsaa
Group Contact:
Roxanne Price, [email protected]
Sports Commission Contact:
Ariana Tyler, [email protected]
MIDWEST HAUNTERS CONVENTION | May 29- 31
2015 Annual Convention
The Midwest Haunters Convention is the largest Halloween show of its kind in the United States
serving a primary audience of haunted attraction producers, actors, artists and home haunters. It
features a 60,000 square foot vendor trade show with more than 75 vendor booths and provides
regional businesses and residents the opportunity to shop for professional quality Halloween related
products.
Attendance:
3,000
Meals:
Attendees are on their own for all meals
Exhibits:
The trade show is open to the public for a fee
Location:
Greater Columbus Convention Center, downtown hotels
Website:
www.midwesthauntersconvention.com
Twitter:
@MidwestHaunters
Group Contact:
Jennifer Braverman, [email protected]
Experience Columbus Contact: Sharon Levine, [email protected]
OHIO HIGH SCHOOL BOYS VOLLEYBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS | May 30-31
The Ohio High School Boys Volleyball State Championships will be held on Saturday, May 30 and
Sunday, May 31 at Capital University’s Capital Center. Come watch the best boys high school
volleyball teams battle for the title of State Champion!
Attendance:
1,000
Meals:
Attendees are on their own for meals
Location:
Capital University - Capital Center
Website:
http://www.ohioboysvolleyball.com/index.php/state-tournament1
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Ohio.High.School.Boys.Volleyball
Group Contact:
Gary Hajek, [email protected]
Sports Commission Contact:
Ariana Tyler, [email protected]
THE NATIONAL NEEDLEARTS ASSOCIATION | May 30-June 1
The NeedleArts Trade Show attracts upscale, independent needle art buyers from across the United
States and abroad. Wholesale suppliers display their hottest new products.
Attendance:
2,500
Meals:
Attendees and exhibitors are on their own for all meals.
Exhibits:
Nearly 300 exhibiting companies. Wholesale/trade only; not open to the
public.
HQ:
Greater Columbus Convention Center and downtown hotels
Website:
www.tnna.org
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/pages/The-National-NeedleArts-Association
Twitter:
#TNNAShow
Group Contact:
Dixie Russell, [email protected]
Experience Columbus Contact: Diane Share, [email protected]
The Experience Columbus Visitor Center in the Arena District is open seven days a week to help
your customers find their way around the city: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Saturday-Sunday, 10
a.m.–4 p.m. The Visitor Center is located on the corner of Nationwide Blvd. and Neil Ave. at 277 W.
Nationwide Blvd., 43215. Phone: 614-221-6623.
The Convention and Sports Alert is published monthly to assist area restaurants, hotels and other
facilities in anticipating their staffing and supply needs. To add, change or delete an email recipient,
please contact Bill Behrens at [email protected].