Columbus Chamber Blog: Information about economic development, economic and business trends, Columbus workforce, programs, events and the Chamber of Commerce in and around Columbus, OH

Discounts and Deals on Entertainment, Food and Events

By Robbie Banks, Young Professionals Manager, Columbus Chamber

Are you a young professional who is looking for something fun to do in Columbus at a discounted price? Most people who know me know that getting a sweet deal makes me giddy with excitement. I love spreading the word so that others can also take advantage of money-saving opportunities. See below for a few savings opportunities that can help you save some dough on entertainment, food and events. Enjoy!

"Two For Fun Days" at the Arena Grand Theatre (this is one of my favorite deals that used to be offered only on Tuesdays).

THE DEAL: 2 tickets, 2 sodas, a medium popcorn and a pizza with 2 toppings for $25.

HOW TO GET THE DEAL: It must be a secret because this special is not listed on the Arena Grand Theatre's Web site. All you have to do is ask for the Two For Fun Days when purchasing your tickets in person. The special is offered all day Monday through Thursday.

BalletMet Columbus' MetPass

THE DEAL: Are you 22 to 35 years old? Crunched for cash, but still enjoy a night at the ballet? Purchase a MetPass for only $20 and receive up to two tickets to each show of the season for half the single ticket price! Plus, get all the benefits of a Subscriber: discounts on Academy classes, discounts at local restaurants, discounts to arts organizations, passes to rehearsals and Subscriber only events and much more!

HOW TO GET THE DEAL: To purchase a MetPass click here to order online or call the BalletMet Subscriber Services Office at 614.229.4848.

Young Professionals Ticket Offer (ages 21-35) for COSI's Imagination Celebration 2010 (Saturday, March 13, 2010, 7pm-11pm, at COSI)

THE DEAL: Purchase one individual ticket at the regular $200 price and receive a complimentary individual ticket for a guest. 

HOW TO GET THE DEAL: Go to http://www.cosi.org/donors-sponsors/donor-events/ and enter “YP Offer” as your Gala Promotional Code and Robbie Banks' name as your referring contact in the Gala Referral field.  To purchase over the phone, please contact Christy Zistler, Development Coordinator at COSI, at 614.629.3124 and mention the offer.

If you will be unable to attend the Gala this year but would still like to support COSI, please visit COSI’s ALL NEW ONLINE AUCTION at http://www.cosi.org/online-auction/ for a chance to bid on incredible experiences like VIP Tickets to the 2010 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show or an amazing Getaway for two to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

Dine Originals Week (March 8-14, 2010) 

THE DEAL: Forty locally-owned restaurants will feature a special fixed price menu for either $10.10, $20.10 or $30.10 during Dine Originals Week. This is a great opportunity to enjoy a new restaurant or revisit a favorite! I recommend Chamber member restaurants: Banana Bean Cafe, Cotters Restaurant at the Arena, The Refectory, Spinelli's Deli, Surly Girl Saloon, Tip Top Kitchen and Cocktails and Worthington Inn.

HOW TO GET THE DEAL: View the participating restaurants' menus and make reservations here.

Three Commonly Asked Questions From Young Professionals

By Robbie Banks, Young Professionals Manager, Columbus Chamber

I have the pleasure of meeting many young professionals (YPs) who are looking for opportunities to get involved in Columbus. While it is known that YPs value work/life balance, they sometimes need guidance on narrowing down the many available options for ways to get involved.

Three of the most common questions I am asked when I meet a YP are: 1.) "Do I qualify as a young professional?" 2.) "What organization(s) should I join or get involved with?" and 3.) "Where do I go to find out about the local YP and professional organizations?"

Here's how I generally respond.

Do I qualify as a YP? If you identify as a YP, then, by golly, you are! To take part in YP programming, you can self-select if you are a YP (or "young at heart"). For research purposes, a YP is often defined as 24-35 years old. Some young professionals' organizations (YPOs) may have age requirements that can range from 21 to 45.

What organization(s) should I join or get involved with? Before I respond to this question, I will ask you to give me your definition of "getting involved" and tell me about your interests and passions. Once I learn what makes you tick, I can help you identify organizations and events that you may want to investigate, For example, a YP in the finance industry may tell me that she enjoys sports, is passionate about children, and is interested in networking to meet potential clients. In response, I may suggest that she attend various networking events, join an organization's athletic leagues, and check out a couple organizations that are focused on children.

Where do I go to find out about the local YP and professional organizations? To help you in your search, view the Columbus Chamber's directory of YP and professional organizations. This handy directory features nearly 60 local organizations, along with each organization's mission or description, main contact's name and email address, Web site, Facebook, LinkedIn and/or Meetup groups, and categories that define each organization. Then, to be "in-the-know," you can register to receive the Chamber's weekly YP email, "Activities and Events for Young Professionals." The email is chock-full of volunteer opportunities, events, and more. Sign up for the email now and look forward to receiving a message from me in your in box each Friday.

Columbus is fortunate to have dozens of unique YP and professional organizations. Shop around for the organizations that are the right fit for you. Attend various events, and be sure to invite your friends and colleagues to go with you. Talk to the organization's leadership and members, and bring your business cards to each event. A number of the events are free to attend or cost very little. Whether you are looking for networking, social, volunteer, athletic, or professional development opportunities, I am certain you will find it by staying informed and getting involved!

What do you love about downtown Columbus?

The Create Columbus Commission (Columbus's Young Professionals Commission) wants to hear from you about your favorite downtown Columbus art, landmarks, buildings, signs, oddities and otherwise for a downtown walking map database. Please take a few minutes to add your favorites here.

The goal is that both visitors and residents will be able to create an online custom map based on things to do, visit and experience in downtown Columbus. You may want to walk through German Village and choose to visit local delis, historical markers and gardens. Someone else might choose to stroll downtown and look for the public art pieces, historical buildings and Italian restaurants in the area. A visitor to the Short North might want to map each gallery and grab martinis. The options are endless: oddities, architecture, cool views, interesting buildings, wine bars, whatever you deem "can't miss".

The end goal is to encourage more people to walk around Columbus and check out our diverse districts and neighborhoods. Please be as specific as possible when you respond here.

Act Now: Passenger Rail Service Funding

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is applying to secure federal funding for a state initiative that will connect Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati with passenger rail service.  The Columbus Chamber supports this application, and we ask that you consider joining us in sending a letter of support that can be included in ODOT’s application.

Currently, the Columbus region is the largest city in the eastern half of the US that does not have passenger rail service.  This is particularly troubling because it impacts our region’s ability to attract and retain the workforce that we need to fuel the expansion of our economy.  The Chamber’s research indicates that young professionals, when determining the region where they want to live, highly value the presence of rail transportation. 
 
We ask that you e-mail your letter of support to Scott Varner at Scott.Varner@dot.state.oh.us.  ODOT needs your letters by September 30.

More information on the rail project can be found here.

Share Your Feedback - 3C Rail Plan Survey

Please take a few minutes to give ODOT your feedback on the 3C rail plan. This site also offers information on the 3C planning that is currently underway to connect Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati.  Ohio is applying for up to $400m from the Federal Government for a 1 time grant to fund this project.  Public input is important in this major competition.  Ohio is one of over 280 applications from 40 states. 

 

There will be a Columbus Town Hall Meeting on Sept. 15 at 4:00 p.m. at the King Arts Complex.

Member Spotlight: Cirque Du Soleil

Each week, the Columbus Chamber will spotlight one of our member businesses, their presence in the Columbus Region, what they do and how they’ve involved at the Chamber. To submit your member business for a member spotlight contact the Chamber's marketing department.

About Cirque du Soleil:

From the twenty or so performers that the company featured when it all began in 1984, Quebec-based Cirque du Soleil has become a leading provider of quality entertainment with nearly 3,000 employees, including 700 artists, who hail from 40 different countries.
 
Cirque du Soleil has thrilled over 50 million spectators in almost 100 cities on four continents. With its International Headquarters in Montreal, the organization is presenting 11 different shows around the world in 2005. Cirque du Soleil has been the recipient of such prestigious awards as the Emmy, Drama Desk, Bambi, ACE, Gemini, Félix, and the Rose d'or de Montreux.

Cool Facts about Cirque du Soleil:

• The stage is 110 feet (30.48 meters) long by 65 feet (19.8 meters) wide with a height of 51 inches (1.30 meters).
• In order to be very light for transportation, the stage panels are framed with aluminium.
• There is more than 600 feet (183 meters) of trussing to hold the Acrobatic Grid, the rigging and all the lighting elements above the stage.
• The acrobatic grid is 30 feet long (9 meters) and is suspended at 45 feet (14 meters) above the stage. Its main purpose is to accommodate the trapeze and bungee rigs, but we also have incorporated several lighting instruments.
• The poles that are used in the Chinese poles act are 24 feet long.
• The equipment on tour totals 360,000 pounds (180 tons).
• There are a total of twelve 53-foot trailers to transport all the tour’s equipment from city to city.
• The technical team is made up to 20 specialists and 12 truck drivers.
• Approximately 140 people are hired locally in each city to set-up and load out the show from the arena.

Featured Show: Saltimbanco
Experience a high intensity acrobatic spectacle! Full of color, amusement and amazement, Saltimbanco is a fun show for the whole family to enjoy, a great outing for everyone.

Nationwide Arena
August 12 to 23 ONLY!

Special Online Offer
You can purchase 2 adult tickets and 2 child tickets
and see Saltimbanco for as little as $125!

Why I Live, Work and Play In Columbus, Ohio - Residents Tell Their Story

Submit your "tell your story" video online at www.columbus.org/tell-your-story.