Posted May 11, 200520 yr From the 5/11/05 Columbus Business First: Columbus lands NRA convention Tony Goins Business First The National Rifle Association is coming to Columbus in 2007. The Fairfax, Va.-based gun rights group said Tuesday it plans to hold its 136th annual meeting at the Greater Columbus Convention Center on May 18-20, 2007. The NRA's 2004 meeting in Houston drew 60,000, and the Columbus show could draw even more than that, said Joe Marinelli, senior vice president at Experience Columbus, the area's convention and visitors bureau. Columbus' Midwest location makes it convenient for lots of NRA members, the group said. Ohio is also home to a large concentration of shooters and sportsmen. The NRA convention will rival the Arnold Fitness Classic, which brings between 80,000 and 100,000 participants, Marinelli said. The Longaberger Co. Basket Bee attracts about 40,000 participants, and the OFA florists convention brings nearly 15,000. FULL ARTICLE: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2005/05/09/daily15.html
May 12, 200520 yr I didn't realize the Arnold draws that many people. I was wondering where 60,000 people were going to meet at, outside of the Horseshoe, in Columbus.
May 12, 200520 yr Hardly. If anything, this helps prove the convention pull. This (sadly), Arnold, and such are actually a positive, economically. I may not agree with the NRA but hell, if they bring their money, they can shoot ducks, deer, and possum all they want (stereotypes, I know). "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
May 12, 200520 yr i dont know if the all bad press for that is worth the money it will bring in to the locals.
May 12, 200520 yr I swear I'm going to start compiling a list of all the condescending comments Clevelanders and Cincinnatians (but especially Clevelanders) always have to say about Columbus. There's pleanty of it to wade through in these forums. I don't agree with the positions of many NRA supporters, however I'm at least civil enough to realize that there are many responsible people out there that do, for some reason that I have yet to understand, enjoy guns and their associated activities, and they are free to pursue their hobby if they so wish. I do not see how this reflects poorly on Columbus. I don't see Pittsburgh reeling due to their being the host of the NRA convention last year. Houston doesn't seem to be having any problems hosting it this year. Oh, that's right, but since it's in Columbus it has to bad.
May 12, 200520 yr This is positive news overall. Plus the central old city with its liberal mindset will have a field day with this one. I can't wait to join the protests.! And yes the Arnold classic attracts up to more than 60,000 people. Each year is bigger and brings more and more Olympic Champions and celebs. And that comment on 60,000 people not meeting anywhere other than the shoe. Try almost 100,000 meeting here for Gay Pride each year. Now thats's progressive. Cleveland and Cincinnati can get even barely 20,000 to theirs.
May 12, 200520 yr Blasphamy! How DARE you put Columbus in a positive light?!? I'll bet next you'll talk about how Columbus holds one of the largest and longest running Doo-Dah Parades in the nation...for shame.
May 12, 200520 yr ^oh for pete's sake. stop fooling yourself, the nra is no narp or naacp or arnold classic or whatever, it's lowbrow and it gets bad press. it's prob payback for the gun law and putting bush back in the whitehouse, but whatev. i'm happy for the cc and the business it will bring. mister spock, lower the defensive shields --- mmmkay?
May 12, 200520 yr From one of the best Simpsons episodes ever..... Homer: I'd like to buy your deadliest gun, please. Gun Shop Owner: Aisle six, next to the sympathy cards. % Act two. In the gun shop, Homer practices handling an unloaded handgun. % Pointing it at the store owner's head, he pulls the trigger several times. Gun Shop Owner: Woah, careful there, Annie Oakley. [takes gun] Homer: I don't have to be careful. I got a gun. -- At the gun store, "The Cartridge Family" Gun Shop Owner: Well, you'll probably want the accessory kit. Holster... Homer: Oh, yeah. Gun Shop Owner: Bandoleer. Homer: Baby. Gun Shop Owner: Silencer. Homer: Mmm-hmm. Gun Shop Owner: Loudener. Homer: [drooling noise] Gun Shop Owner: Speed-cocker. Homer: Ooh, I like the sound of that. Gun Shop Owner: And this is for shooting down police helicopters. Homer: Oh, I don't need anything like that... [paranoid]...yet. Just give me my gun. [grabs for gun] Gun Shop Owner: Sorry, the law requires a five-day waiting period. We've got to run a background check. Homer: Five days? But I'm mad now! % The owner finally pulls the gun away from Homer. Homer: I'd kill you if I had my gun! Gun Shop Owner: Yeah, well, you don't. Homer: [walking out of store to his car] Lousy big shot, thinks he's so big 'cause he's got a lot of guns, if he didn't have any guns I'd show him a thing or two...[at home, pacing the hallway in front of Lisa's bedroom]...let's see him walk into my store and then we'll see who's worried about five-day waiting periods...
May 12, 200520 yr Author For the record, I didn't post this to be critical of Columbus in any way. Also, I wasn't trying to be political. Unfortunately, Locutus got the post I put on SSP closed because he used it to push his agenda. By saying "nuts" I meant "enthusiasts"--not crazy people or gun-toting thugs. The ONLY REASON I posted this was because Columbus had managed to land such a LARGE convention, which is a good thing. I didn't post this to start a 2nd Amendment debate--or to rag on C-bus.
May 12, 200520 yr This is positive news overall. Plus the central old city with its liberal mindset will have a field day with this one. I can't wait to join the protests.! And yes the Arnold classic attracts up to more than 60,000 people. Each year is bigger and brings more and more Olympic Champions and celebs. And that comment on 60,000 people not meeting anywhere other than the shoe. Try almost 100,000 meeting here for Gay Pride each year. Now thats's progressive. Cleveland and Cincinnati can get even barely 20,000 to theirs. I'm a Columbus native. I can rap it anytime I want. :-P
July 18, 200519 yr Well, so much for the convention being held in Columbus... While it's a shame they've decided to pull the convention from Columbus, I'm much more in favor of keeping the assault weapons ban in place. What does a home-owner need an AK-47 for anyways? NRA moves 2007 convention out of Columbus The Columbus Dispatch Monday, July 18, 2005 The National Rifle Association announced today that it is pulling the 2007 NRA convention out of Columbus to protest the city's ban on guns officials classify as assault weapons. NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre came to Columbus this morning to make the announcement that the association will move its convention, which was expected to draw 60,000 people to the Greater Columbus Convention Center from May 18 to 20, 2007. City Council President Matt Habash and Councilman Michael C. Mentel, who introduced the weapons ban legislation, today issued a joint statement in which they said the NRA was “backing out on its commitment.” “Public policy decisions — especially those affecting the safety of our citizens — cannot be influenced by any narrow interest group that happens to visit," they said. The Columbus City Council approved a ban on certain semi-automatic rifles, pistols and shotguns July 11. MORE: http://www.dispatch.com
July 18, 200519 yr ... sure hurts C-bus' move to "big city" status imho... i dont know if the all bad press for that is worth the money it will bring in to the locals. it's lowbrow and it gets bad press. etc... So, has Columbus redeemed itself, or will everyone go ahead and find another reason to deride Columbus?
July 19, 200519 yr im disappointed that the NRA pulled out. I know there are responsible and irresponsible people with guns out there, but most of them are responsible. maybe they could lift it for the convention and then reinstate it after the convention leaves. i support the NRA(im a big bush/cheney fan and a conservative evangelical christian) :-D and what they believe in. but i dont support those ignorant, foolish people who use them to shoot at police and innocent people!
July 19, 200519 yr I wonder where they'll hold it now. Laramie, Wyoming. Frankly, I don't understand the handwringing over the NRA ditching Columbus. The NRA has become a bunch of right-wing zealots. Let'em go elsewhere (and take several you-know-who's from here as well).
July 19, 200519 yr Agree or disagree with the dogma...but city of Columbus cannot be bullied, blackmailed or strongarmed like this. Take the high ground and send them somewhere else.
July 20, 200519 yr i agree 100% with sooner. i think this will garner columbus a lot of good press --- at least with the so-called creative class types. hats off to the city going ahead with their day to day biz and not cow towing to anyone. as for the loss of the convention itself, its bad news for biz close around the cc and for motels/hotels, but its not like a healthy city like columbus is do or die over that show.
July 20, 200519 yr I'm glad the NRA pulled out of cowtown. They lost my $. I just wrote the NRA to have their convention at the newly remodeled Cincinnati convention center. :-D
July 22, 200519 yr Author I wonder if this cat will be successful. It's already too late to bring the convention back to C-bus and this thread could probably be closed, but this is an interesting, somewhat related story. From the AP, 7/22/05: Candidate's lawsuit says Columbus' new assault weapons ban is flawed The Associated Press COLUMBUS - A City Council candidate sued to challenge the city's recently approved ban on assault weapons that led the National Rifle Association to move its 2007 convention out of Columbus. Republican Phil Harmon, a lawyer who represented bar owners in their failed quest to overturn the city's smoking ban, wants a court to prevent the assault-weapons ban from taking effect. He filed the lawsuit Wednesday in Franklin County Probate Court. The ban that the Democrat-controlled City Council adopted July 11 prohibits the sale or possession of semiautomatic rifles with pistol grips and detachable magazines. It is to go into effect Aug. 11. Harmon said Thursday the assault-weapons ban is flawed because it has no provision allowing people to sell or transfer weapons to relatives if they die or need a guardian. Federal lawsuits successfully overturned two previous attempts by Columbus to ban assault weapons, which tried to outlaw specific models. Cleveland, Dayton and Toledo are among the Ohio cities with some kind of weapons ban. The current ban tries to distinguish between sporting weapons and military-style assault weapons. The law applies to guns with any of several features. FULL ARTICLE: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050722/NEWS01/507220406/1056/rss02
August 5, 200519 yr Author The convention is going to St. Louis instead. From the 8/5/05 Columbus Business First: St. Louis replaces Columbus for NRA convention After pulling out of Columbus, the National Rifle Association said Thursday it will hold its 2007 annual convention in St. Louis. The NRA said in May it would hold the 2007 convention in Columbus, but rescinded that decision July 18. The NRA cited Columbus' ban on certain kinds of assault weapons for its decision. The NRA is philosophically opposed the ban -- and said the ban would prevent some of the vendors at its convention from selling their wares. Columbus City Council enacted the ban July 11. Representatives from the city said they informed the NRA the ban was likely. Some, like Councilman Mike Mentel, accused the NRA of agreeing to hold the convention in Columbus just so it could cancel it if the weapons ban passed. The convention was expected to draw around 60,000 people, who might have spent between $15 million and $20 million in the local economy, according to Experience Columbus, the local convention and visitors bureau. Experience Columbus said in July it is already looking to book other conventions for the space. The NRA's 2007 meeting will take place from April 13 -17 in St. Louis and include five acres of guns, hunting equipment and outdoor gear. FULL ARTICLE: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2005/08/01/daily33.html?from_rss=1
August 6, 200519 yr The NRA's 2007 meeting will take place from April 13 -17 in St. Louis and include five acres of guns I'm packing my bags, St. Louis here I come! :shoot: :drunk: :evil:
October 19, 200519 yr Author From Columbus Business First, 10/17/05: Visitors' organization tries to capitalize on new name Scott Rawdon For Business First The joy of Columbus for John Kaufeld is its location. He's communications director for the Columbus based Game Manufacturers Association, which sponsors the annual Origins International Game Exposition. Each year, the exposition attracts 15,000 people who promote and browse through board game products. "Thanks to where Columbus sits in the country, a huge number of our target attendees can reach the city in an eight hour drive or less," Kaufeld said. Columbus' convention and hotel facilities are popular with the exposition's attendees. "All in all, Columbus makes a very strong venue for our convention." More at http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2005/10/17/focus4.html
November 2, 200519 yr Author A hotel thread was recently posted in P&C. From Business First of Columbus, 10/31/05: Marketing budget seen lagging Brian R. Ball Business First Construction of additional hotel rooms to serve Columbus' convention center should be tied to better funding of marketing efforts by the area's convention and visitors bureau, a consultant has advised. A Dallas-based hospitality industry consultant, which worked on the feasibility of expanding Columbus' base of downtown hotel rooms, said officials need to consider expanding Experience Columbus' $2.1 million annual advertising and sales budget. http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2005/10/31/story2.html
January 27, 200619 yr ARNOLD FITNESS WEEKEND Beefed-up show expanding to Nationwide Friday, January 27, 2006 By Mike Pramik THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH The producer of the Arnold Fitness Weekend is promising a record turnout in March for the 31-year-old event, which is spreading out to Nationwide Arena for the first time. Jim Lorimer, who founded the fitness show with Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1976, said more than 120,000 people will attend the March 3-5 event. They will include 15,000 athletes competing in 30 sports, including 15 Olympic sports. Wrestling, boxing and volleyball will be new events to the fitness weekend. Lorimer said the diversification from the longtime bodybuilding component of the event will lead to a name change for 2007 to the Arnold Sports Festival. Because of the sheer size of the spectacle, several events will move to Nationwide Arena, including a martial-arts battle that will be shown on pay-per-view television. It will be the first time any event has used the arena, the Greater Columbus Convention Center and Veterans Memorial at the same time. MORE: http://www.dispatch.com
January 27, 200619 yr Well, I'm PUMPED! *da da ching* "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
February 15, 200619 yr Is Dick Cheney still a member of the NRA? :shoot: :-o (Cheney & Whittington) Just kidding! Hopefully his victim will recover quickly!!!
February 15, 200619 yr I think it's great news for Columbus. All kinds of groups hold conventions all over the country. All kinds of groups hold conventions here--and though I don't share ideals with many of the groups (and it's sometimes annoying to see them flood the streets downtown), I'm glad to have their money here and have the convention center full. And will there really be that much bad press? I highly doubt if the average citizen will even think twice about it. Hell, the Republican National Convention held its convention in NYC, and no one associates NYC with Republicans. I love Columbus--good news!
February 15, 200619 yr I think it's great news for Columbus. All kinds of groups hold conventions all over the country. All kinds of groups hold conventions here--and though I don't share ideals with many of the groups (and it's sometimes annoying to see them flood the streets downtown), I'm glad to have their money here and have the convention center full. And will there really be that much bad press? I highly doubt if the average citizen will even think twice about it. Hell, the Republican National Convention held its convention in NYC, and no one associates NYC with Republicans. I love Columbus--good news! Last I checked the NRA had pulled their conference from Columbus for St. Louis in 2007 because of Columbus's "progressive" laws on guns. Unless something has changed in the last 6 months.
February 16, 200619 yr GOP invites Columbus to bid for 2008 convention Thursday, February 16, 2006 Joe Hallett THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Elephants could overrun Columbus in 2008. The two-legged kind sans trunks but with plenty of cash and vigor, aching for a fight with donkeys. Columbus, the center of the epicenter of presidential races, has been invited by the Republican National Committee to submit a proposal to host the 2008 GOP national convention. "It would be a great option for us," Aaron McClear, RNC spokesman, said yesterday. Mayor Michael B. Coleman, a Democrat, agreed and said last night that the city would aggressively pursue the convention. "Whether they’re red or blue, Republican or Democrat, it will bring a lot of green and we welcome them," Coleman said. Read more at http://www.dispatch.com
February 16, 200619 yr Even though i'm not a republican I'm happy they're considering columbus, this should bring a lot of money into the local economy :) Hopefully they wont find some democratic type legislation passed that they don't agree with and choose to go elsewhere because of it like the NRA haha
February 16, 200619 yr Yes!!!!!!!!!!! My party will finally(hopefully) be coming to Columbus. The one in New York was nice, but it would be much better for Republicans to be in a part of the country where we are liked. But it will be good for the city not only in terms of money but in image!!! This would give Columbus the chance to show off our always improving Downtown, great neighborhoods, restaurants, shopping, people and cultural scene!
February 16, 200619 yr I do have to be realistic, I mean there are much larger cities being invited to host it. But if Columbus doesn't get it, no biggie
February 16, 200619 yr Yeah...I hate to get too excited with all of those cities on the list, but I think we've got a puncher's chance!
February 16, 200619 yr This would be awesome for the city. One can only hope their city gets a convention of such importance.
February 16, 200619 yr hey wow. i think columbus has a great chance. much more than you guys seem to. ohio is a key state. its mix of voters accurately reflects america as a whole. the true heartland. what better place for a political convention? not mention the $$$ the city would rake in. otoh, the publicity? well, thats double-edged sword, but overall a good thing too.
February 17, 200619 yr I think it's all about political connections (within that particular party) and then the city's pitch. So yes, Columbus has a puncher's chance.
February 17, 200619 yr Agreed with much of what's already been said. It would be an incredible shot in the arm to the local economy, if the city could somehow win out against some pretty stiff competition. As far as the image goes, like mrnyc said, it's a double-edged sword. If, for whatever reason, the convention does come to Columbus, here hoping for a bunch of counter-rallies. :evil:
February 17, 200619 yr I don't think that it would do anything to adversely effect Columbus' image. Everybody knows that cities want these conventions for the money, not because they support the party. I'd be just as happy to see the GOP convention in Cleveland as I would the DNC.
March 2, 200619 yr Downtown hotel business, room rates on the upswing Wednesday, March 01, 2006 Mike Pramik THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH As Downtown continues to welcome more permanent residents, it’s also throwing out the welcome mat to more visitors. Downtown’s 13 hotels reported occupancies higher than 64 percent last year after struggling under 60 percent for much of this century. They also increased their daily rates to more than $100 for the first time since the 2001 terrorist attack. [email protected]
March 6, 200619 yr How many hotel rooms are there currently in the city of columbus? hwat is the total count?
April 9, 200619 yr Author From the 4/8/06 Dispatch: Columbus contends for GOP ’08 event Mayor traveling to Washington to try to land convention Saturday, April 08, 2006 Jodi Andes THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Mayor Michael B. Coleman is part of a bipartisan effort to bring the 2008 Republican National Convention to Columbus. Politically, blue and red don’t mix. But on Tuesday, the D’s and R’s will work together to bring C-town a little green. Mayor Michael B. Coleman, Columbus’ leading Democrat, is teaming with Chris McNulty, the state’s second-ranking Republican Party official, to try to lure the 2008 Republican National Convention here. The two will go to Washington on Tuesday for an informational meeting for cities seeking to bring the convention home, said Paul Astleford, who heads Experience Columbus, the city’s tourism bureau. Full story at http://www.dispatch.com/?story=dispatch/2006/04/08/20060408-C3-01.html
April 11, 200619 yr Cincinnati's hosted the Democratic National Convention twice - first in 1856, nominating James Buchanan - sorry about that - and then in 1880, nominating Winfield Hancock, who lost to Garfield (who is buried at the other end of Ohio!) The Republicans nominated Rutherford B. Hayes in 1876 in Cincinnati, and have held two conventions in Cleveland - nominating Calvin Coolidge in 1924 (who won) and Alfred Landon in 1936 (who lost by the most lopsided margin since James Monroe was re-elected in 1820).
April 11, 200619 yr Well, it would certainly get a lot of people to come. Although not necessarily in favor of the Repubs. I smell a potential protest and we'd all contribute to the surrounding downtown area while we're there. Can't protest on an empty stomach.
April 11, 200619 yr (Then Mayor) Rendell was all for the Repubs bringing their convention to Philadelphia (1996 or 2000), so there's no reason Coleman and the Repubs can't work something out for Columbus (hotel rooms pending)
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