Greetings,

The return of students, packed event calendars, and a touch of cooler weather are all signs that one of Columbus' most vibrant seasons is underway. At VisitColumbusGA, we are focused on continuous improvement and identifying new opportunities to elevate Columbus as a destination and drive economic impact for our community.

Earlier this month, I joined hospitality leaders from across Georgia at the Georgia Hotel & Lodging Association Forecast, where discussions centered on traveler trends, hotel performance, and the evolving ways visitors discover and book destinations. As travel discovery becomes increasingly influenced by AI-driven tools and changing consumer behaviors, it was reassuring to see that VisitColumbusGA is already embracing best practices across SEO, GEO, and digital marketing to maximize Columbus' visibility and long-term competitiveness. Those insights are only valuable when put into action, and our team is doing just that.

Whether we're on the road building relationships, promoting Columbus to key audiences, hosting planners and group leaders in our destination, or expanding our team with talented professionals, we remain committed to advancing Columbus and creating lasting value for our partners and community.

In August, VisitColumbusGA team members represented Columbus at two industry events. Ashley Woitena, President and CEO of VisitColumbusGA, attended the Georgia Hotel & Lodging Association (GHLA) Forecast Breakfast alongside hoteliers from across the state. Our team represented Columbus, Georgia, at the U.S. Travel Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations (ESTO) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (pictured above). 

Each year, ESTO delivers industry insights and actionable ideas that help destination marketing professionals elevate their work. From August 23 to 26, VisitColumbusGA team members networked with industry peers (like our colleagues at Explore Georgia, pictured below) and attended sessions led by visionary leaders in tourism, sports, and digital data research. Session topics included how travelers use AI to discover destinations, how destinations can leverage local pride and sports to increase visibility, and how destinations use creative strategies to solve challenges.

Following these events, our team members brought back industry best practices, innovative ideas to address common challenges, and a stronger understanding of how to position Columbus, Georgia, as a premier destination in the Southeast.

VisitColumbusGA seeks out opportunities to sharpen our professional skills to advance our destination’s competitiveness. As VisitColumbusGA grows more innovative, creative, and confident, we will employ those elevated skills to benefit and uplift our community, alongside partners like you.