What Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority does

The Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority (FCCFA) is an independent Ohio government authority established in 1988 by the Franklin County Commissioners to finance, build, and operate convention and tourism infrastructure in Columbus, Ohio. Headquartered in downtown Columbus's Arena District, FCCFA owns and operates a unified campus of four asset classes: the 1.8 million-square-foot Greater Columbus Convention Center (370,000 contiguous sq ft of exhibit space, 50,000 sq ft of meeting space, and the 25,000 sq ft Battelle Grand Ballroom), the NHL-grade Nationwide Arena (home of the Columbus Blue Jackets through September 2039), the 1,000-room Hilton Columbus Downtown (Ohio's largest hotel, connected via skybridge), and six parking facilities totaling more than 4,700 spaces. Supporting assets include the FCCFA Art Collection — the largest contemporary local-art collection within any U.S. convention center, with 130+ works and $5.7M invested — and the interactive 'As We Are' sculpture by Matthew Mohr.

Name

Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority

Legal name

Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority

Website

https://meetusincolumbus.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority owns and operates Columbus, Ohio's integrated convention, arena, hotel, and parking campus, funding itself through dedicated hotel and casino tax revenue rather than government subsidies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Convention & Event Facilities

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Regulation, Licensing, and Inspection of Miscellaneous Commercial Sectors (92615)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Convention & Exhibition Centers (Public Convention Centers, Civic Centers) (THAHAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Convention Campus & District Operators (Integrated Venue Districts) (THAHAAAL), Convention Center–Adjacent/Connected Hotels (THAGALAD)

Keywords

• Convention facilities
• Venue management
• Convention center operations
• Hotel accommodations
• Parking operations

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbus

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Hotel Occupancy Tax: FCCFA levies a 4% countywide bed tax on occupied hotel and motel rooms (established 1988) and a 0.9% citywide hotel occupancy tax (established 1989). These taxes have never been increased and are used to pay principal and interest on funds borrowed to build and improve the Convention Center, with remaining funds used for operations and capital improvements.
2. Casino Tax Revenue: FCCFA receives a portion of Ohio casino tax collections as lease/sublease payments for Nationwide Arena. The share started at 25% in 2013 and increases by 1% annually until reaching 32% in 2022. These revenues are first used for arena operating and capital expenses, with excess covering debt service.
3. Parking Operations: Self-sustaining parking operations across six facilities providing more than 4,700 parking spaces. Revenues are reinvested into capital improvements and facility maintenance.
4. Convention Center and Arena Operations: Revenue generated from hosting conventions, trade shows, sporting events, and meetings at the Greater Columbus Convention Center and Nationwide Arena, including venue rentals, food service partnerships, and related services.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority (FCCFA) is an independent government authority that develops, owns, and operates a portfolio of convention, hospitality, and entertainment facilities in downtown Columbus, Ohio. Its core operations include the 1.8 million square foot Greater Columbus Convention Center, the multi-purpose Nationwide Arena (home of the NHL Columbus Blue Jackets), the 1,000-room Hilton Columbus Downtown hotel, and six parking facilities totaling more than 4,700 spaces. The authority funds its operations through hotel/motel occupancy taxes, casino tax revenue, venue rentals, parking fees, and food service partnerships, without relying on government subsidies.

Product overview

The Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority (FCCFA) operates a portfolio of physical venue assets as a unified convention and tourism infrastructure. The core portfolio includes the Greater Columbus Convention Center (1.8 million sq ft multi-purpose event venue), Nationwide Arena (NHL Columbus Blue Jackets home), Hilton Columbus Downtown (1,000-room convention hotel), and Parking Facilities (6 locations, 4,700+ spaces). Supporting offerings include the FCCFA Art Collection (largest local contemporary art collection in US convention centers) and the interactive As We Are sculpture. Columbus Arena Management provides operational oversight for Nationwide Arena. The FCCFA is self-sustaining, funded through hotel taxes and arena revenues rather than government subsidies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Greater Columbus Convention Center A 1.8 million square foot convention center designed by architect Peter Eisenman, offering more than 370,000 contiguous square feet of exhibition space, 50,000 square feet of meeting space, and the Battelle Grand Ballroom. ASM Global-managed facility located at the confluence of the Arena District and Short North Arts District, used by convention planners, trade associations, and event organizers.
• Nationwide Arena Multi-purpose sports and entertainment venue serving as the home of the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets (committed through September 2039) and host to concerts, UFC events, family shows, and sporting tournaments. Features open lobbies, two 80-foot towers, a 70-foot glass-enclosed atrium, and a 135-foot light tower. Located one block from the Convention Center in the Arena District.
• Hilton Columbus Downtown Ohio's largest hotel with 1,000 guest rooms across two connected towers, more than 75,000 square feet of meeting and event space, and an enclosed skybridge connecting to the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Features three ballrooms (10,000-15,000 sq ft), 40 meeting rooms, and dining venues including FYR Short North and Stories on High rooftop bar. Operated by Hilton Worldwide.
• Parking Facilities More than 4,700 self-sustaining parking spaces across six locations (Ohio Center Garage, Goodale Garage, Vine Street Garage, South Garage, East Surface Lot, North Surface Lot), all attached or adjacent to the Greater Columbus Convention Center. 24/7 availability with advance daily parking passes available through online reservation at columbusconventions.com. Features local art displays throughout garages.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1.7 million annual visitors to Greater Columbus Convention Center
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Columbus Arena ManagementcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2012Formed in 2012 to manage Nationwide Arena following FCCFA's $42.5 million acquisition. Consists of representatives from FCCFA, Columbus Blue Jackets, The Ohio State University, and Nationwide Realty Investors. Approves operating and capital budgets and provides operational oversight for Nationwide Arena.
• Legends GlobalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld's leading venue management and services company connecting people through live experience. Manages the Greater Columbus Convention Center operations.
• Hilton WorldwidecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading global hospitality company operating the Hilton Columbus Downtown, Ohio's largest hotel with 1,000 rooms across two towers. Partnership includes skybridge connection to Convention Center.
• Levy RestaurantscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood service provider to the Greater Columbus Convention Center, partnering with Cameron Mitchell Restaurant Group to drive local and social business. Manages composting, food rescue programs, and sustainable food sourcing.
• ASM GlobalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld-class venue management company managing the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
• Experience ColumbuscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDestination marketing organization with nearly 1,000 members selling, marketing, and promoting Columbus as a convention and visitor destination.
• Greater Columbus Sports CommissioncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSports marketing and event management organization that has brought more than 270 new sporting events to Columbus since 2002.
• City of ColumbuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey public partner that agreed to allow hotel tax to finance hotel development and partnered in 2012 arena acquisition. Appointed three members to FCCFA's 11-member board.
• Franklin CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished FCCFA in 1988 and authorized hotel occupancy taxes. Instrumental partner in Nationwide Arena deal and hotel development credit guarantees. Appointed six of 11 board members.
• Columbus Blue JacketscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNHL team that agreed to make Nationwide Arena their home through September 2039. Key partner in Columbus Arena Management entity.
• North MarketminorGTM or Marketing PartnerColumbus' only remaining true public market, located one block from Hilton Columbus Downtown and Convention Center. Established 1876 with 30+ merchants.
• Greater Columbus Arts CouncilminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFunds artists and arts organizations, produces Columbus Arts Festival. FCCFA displays the largest contemporary collection of local art, reflecting partnership commitment to local arts.
• Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional public transit provider servicing 1.2 million residents with more than 19 million annual passenger trips.
• Columbus Regional Airport AuthorityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPublic entity connecting central Ohio with the world through Port Columbus International Airport, Rickenbacker International Airport, and related facilities.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Orange County Convention Center (OCCC): One of the largest convention complexes in the U.S., operated by Orange County Government through a dedicated convention center division. Comparable to FCCFA in operating large-scale public convention infrastructure (2.1M sq ft) funded through tourism-driven taxes.
• Houston First Corporation: Local government corporation that operates Houston's George R. Brown Convention Center, Avenida Houston entertainment district, and other civic venues. Highly comparable to FCCFA as a self-sustaining public venue operator managing convention and entertainment assets on behalf of a municipality.
• Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA): Government authority that owns and operates the Las Vegas Convention Center, the largest single-level convention facility in the world. Comparable to FCCFA in being a public authority operating convention infrastructure funded through dedicated room tax revenues rather than general government appropriations.
• Georgia World Congress Center Authority: State authority operating the Georgia World Congress Center, Centennial Olympic Park, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium in downtown Atlanta. Comparable to FCCFA as a public authority managing an integrated convention and arena complex funded through dedicated revenue streams.
• Capital Improvement Board of Marion County (Indiana Convention Center / Lucas Oil Stadium): Public authority operating the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, supported by hotel tax revenues. Closely comparable to FCCFA in operating both a major convention facility and an arena under a unified public authority structure funded through dedicated lodging taxes.
• Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (McCormick Place): Illinois state-created authority that owns and operates McCormick Place, the largest convention center in North America. Comparable to FCCFA in managing a major Tier-1 convention campus financed through dedicated hotel/motel taxes and serving as a regional economic engine.
• Kentucky Venues (Kentucky International Convention Center): State-operated venue management organization running the Kentucky International Convention Center, Kentucky Exposition Center, and other state facilities. Comparable to FCCFA in operating large convention and exhibition facilities funded through dedicated public revenue mechanisms.
• Wisconsin Center District: Wisconsin state-created authority operating the Wisconsin Center convention facility in Milwaukee. Comparable to FCCFA as a publicly chartered convention facility authority funded through hotel room taxes and serving as the primary convention venue for its metro area.

Others

• Oak View Group: Private venue development, management, and consulting firm focused on arena and entertainment facility projects. Relevant to FCCFA as an adjacent industry participant involved in arena development and operations, including Nationwide Arena's broader ecosystem, though it does not operate convention centers directly.

Broad incumbents

• ASM Global: World's largest privately-held venue management company, managing over 350 venues worldwide including convention centers and arenas. Comparable to FCCFA as a broad incumbent in venue management - FCCFA itself contracts ASM Global to manage operations - but ASM Global operates as a private management firm rather than a public venue owner/authority.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/TheFCCFA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/franklin-county-convention-facilities-authority
• Instagraminstagram.com/fccfa_art

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority