These are modern times, y’all and Columbia SC is defining Southern for a new era. Find out how the Experience Columbia SC team tells the story of a vibrant city bursting with big ideas, forward thinkers and modern attitudes to drive a rapidly growing tourism industry in our region. Many don’t realize it, but tourism is a 1.9 billion dollar industry for the Columbia region. Our area hosted over 14 million out-of-area visitors last year, and those numbers are on the rise as we host more and more meetings, conventions, sporting events and leisure travelers. Explore how the Columbia SC brand has evolved over the years to reflect a growing Columbia SC.
Guest speaker: Kelly Barbrey, VP of Sales & Marketing for Experience Columbia, SC
Barbrey has worked for Experience Columbia SC (formerly the Midlands Authority for Conventions, Sports & Tourism) for 13 years. Prior to her move to Columbia SC the Georgia native worked for the Athens GA Convention & Visitors Bureau for three years. Kelly holds a journalism degree from The University of Georgia and prior to her work in the destination marketing industry was associate editor for a business and lifestyle magazine in her hometown of Atlanta. Kelly and her husband Jonathan have two daughters, ages nine and six.
When: Tuesday, April 4, 2017, from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
Where: Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, 1101 Lincoln St, Columbia, SC 29201. We will meet in the Carolina Room on the Lower level of the Convention Center.
Parking: Attendees may park in the Convention Center lot (between the Convention Center and Colonial Life Arena) free of charge. If that lot happens to be full, there is a paid parking garage (Park Street Garage) across the street from the Convention Center.
Registration deadline: Noon, Monday, April 3, 2017
Click here to register for this event.
For more information: Please contact IABC/SC VP of Professional Development and Programs – Ginny Jones, 803.217.9501