Columbus Chamber Sees Region Gaining Awareness Among CEOs Nationwide
Chamber of Commerce emphasizes need for continued collaboration to tell Columbus story.
Columbus, OH (PRWEB) February 25, 2009
Four years ago nearly 60 percent of business executives nationwide had no image of Columbus, OH. Now, with less than 40 percent in that category, 60 percent of executives do know enough about Columbus to consider the city as a location for economic growth and development (http://www. columbus. org/economic-development/), according to a recent survey conducted by the Columbus Chamber of commerce (http://www. columbus. org/).
The survey of business executives shows progress in growing awareness of Columbus. "Our community is now on the radar of more business executives, thanks to our region's collaborative marketing efforts," said Ty Marsh, president and CEO, Columbus Chamber (http://www. columbus. org/). More than 400 local and national business executives participated in the survey of their perceptions of Columbus as a site to do business. Results were shared at the Chamber's Annual Meeting today.
Nearly 90 percent of Columbus-based executives rate Columbus positively as a place to do business. Top reasons including quality of life, accessible location, higher education, infrastructure, and a can-do attitude among community leaders.
In 2005 the Columbus Chamber launched a strategy that promotes the Central Ohio region to business decision-makers through the support of more than 20 public sector economic development partners. Since that time the Chamber and its partners have marketed the area to this targeted audience as the "Columbus region.
"In addition to the Chamber, a number of organizations are marketing Columbus. We've made progress but this is no time to slow down the momentum," warned Marsh. "These results demonstrate the strength of coordination. We have a tremendous opportunity to raise our voice, together."
An effort coordinated by Mayor Coleman's 2012 Image and Marketing committee and CompeteColumbus, brought together constituencies who represent business, visitors, the arts and higher education communities, and the city to create messages about Columbus, applicable for all organizations. Details will be shared later this year.
In addition, the Columbus Chamber encourages businesses professionals to post their story on the Chamber's blog at http://blog. columbus. org (http://blog. columbus. org) or www. columbus. org/tellyourstory (http://www. columbus. org/tellyourstory).
About the Columbus Chamber:
Led by a 35-member board of directors (http://www. columbus. org/about-the-chamber/board-of-directors. php) composed of the region's business elite, the Columbus Chamber of Commerce has more than 2,500 members. They include Fortune 500 giants Cardinal Health, Nationwide, Limited Brands, American Electric Power and Big Lots, the headquarters of Battelle (the world's largest private research institution) as well as hundreds of the region's most innovative and entrepreneurial small businesses. The Columbus Chamber leads and supports economic growth and development for the Greater Columbus community. Learn more at www. columbus. org/ (http://www. columbus. org/).
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