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Columbus, OH – Columbus 2020, the economic development organization for the 11-county Columbus Region, received significant recognition at the International Economic Development Council’s (IEDC) 2017 Annual Conference, held in Toronto, ON. The conference is the world’s largest gathering of economic developers.
Columbus 2020 received two IEDC marketing awards, one gold and one silver. In addition, results from two industry studies ranked Columbus 2020 as the No. 1 “best in class” regional economic development agency and recognized the organization as one of the “most valuable economic development brands.”
Columbus 2020 Marketing Efforts Receive Gold and Silver IEDC Awards
Columbus 2020 won an IEDC gold award for its 2017 Factbook and a silver award for its Columbus Region Overview Brochure. The awards were presented at the IEDC award ceremony on Tuesday, September 19.
The IEDC Promotional Award category recognizes the marketing work of organizations at the forefront of the economic development profession. Awards in this category are judged on the effectiveness of the promotion, innovation/creativity, quality and completeness of information and contribution to the economic development profession.
The gold award recognizes Columbus 2020 for its 2017 Factbook, the Columbus Region’s only comprehensive guide that provides market information, economic data and insights about the Columbus Region’s economy. The 2017 Factbook is widely used by organizations marketing the Columbus Region and can be viewed here.
The silver award honors Columbus 2020 for the Columbus Region Overview Brochure, which provides a 15-page introduction to the Region’s economy, including key facts, figures and statistics on the Region’s location, cost advantages, industries, talent and quality of life. The brochure is available in five languages.
“We commend the achievements made by Columbus 2020 with these Excellence in Economic Development Awards,” said Michael Langley, Fellow Member and IEDC chair. “These awards recognize the incredible efforts that economic development organizations are making in their communities across the nation. Columbus 2020 remains one of the leading economic development organizations in the country, and continues to inspire others in the industry.”
Columbus 2020 Ranks High Among Corporate Executives and Site Selection Consultants
Columbus 2020 is viewed as a top regional economic development organization in the U.S., according to the 2017 “Winning Strategies in Economic Development Marketing,” a survey of U.S. corporate executives and location advisors. According to the more than 70 site selection consultants who named their choices for best regional economic development organizations, Columbus 2020 was ranked No. 1 “best in class” regional economic development group, tying with the Kansas City Area Development Council. JobsOhio made the list of “best in class” state economic development groups, coming in at No. 3.
Conducted by Development Counsellors International (DCI) every three years, the “Winning Strategies in Economic Development Marketing” survey has tracked trends in economic development since its inception in 1996.
A separate study conducted by Atlas Advertising also revealed that Columbus 2020 tops the list of economic development brands. The study’s findings are summarized in the Atlas whitepaper “Up Close and Personal with the Impact and Influence of Economic Development,” in which Columbus 2020 is identified as one of the “most valuable brands in economic development,” alongside four other U.S. economic development organizations and two international organizations. JobsOhio also made the list. The accolade is based on an open-ended survey of nearly 100 site selectors from around the world.
“We’re honored and we’re grateful. We’re thankful to our clients, to our partners in the Columbus Region and at JobsOhio, and to hundreds of Columbus 2020 investors who value the collaborative work it takes to build a better region,” said Kenny McDonald, president and CEO, Columbus 2020. “Columbus 2020 shares these honors with many allies who’ve helped lift our team and region to unprecedented achievements.”
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About Columbus 2020
As the economic development organization for the Columbus Region, Columbus 2020’s mission is to generate opportunity and build capacity for economic growth across 11 Central Ohio counties. In 2010, hundreds of business and community leaders developed the Columbus 2020 Regional Growth Strategy, and the Columbus Region is now experiencing the strongest decade of growth in its history. Consistently named among the best economic development organizations in the country, Columbus 2020 expertly guides companies through the location decision process. Through strategic business outreach and customized research, the Columbus 2020 team leverages public, private and institutional partnerships to grow the Columbus Region’s economy and strengthen its national and international competitiveness. Funding is received from more than 300 private organizations, local governments, academic institutions and JobsOhio. Learn more at ColumbusRegion.com.
About the International Economic Development Council
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit membership organization serving economic developers. With more than 4,000 members, IEDC is the largest organization of its kind. From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, IEDC’s members are engaged in the full range of economic development experience. Members are employed in a wide variety of settings including local, state, provincial and federal governments, public private partnerships, chambers of commerce, universities and a variety of other institutions. IEDC members create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities, and improve the quality of life in their regions. iedconline.org.
About DCI
Considered the leader in marketing places, Development Counsellors International (DCI) specializes in economic development and tourism marketing. The agency has worked for more than 400 cities, regions, states, provinces and countries since it was established in New York City in 1960. aboutdci.com
About Atlas Advertising
Atlas is a niche economic development digital, strategy, and creative firm whose goal as a company is to connect people to places and ideas to action. Atlas helps communities all over the world grow their economies, attract talent, and compete for jobs through technology enabled services and strategy. www.atlas-advertising.com
Columbus 2020 Media Contact
Irene Alvarez
614-225-6941
ia@columbusregion.com