GREATER COLUMBUS CONVENTION CENTER GENERAL MANAGER JOHN PAGE NAMED A MOST-ADMIRED C.O.O. BY COLUMBUS BUSINESS FIRST

(Columbus, August 13, 2018) — John Page, general manager of the SMG-managed Greater Columbus Convention Center (GCCC), was selected by his peers for his leadership, business and civic contributions and will be included among the 2018 Most Admired Chief Operating Officers by Columbus Business First.

“Congratulations, your peers have selected you as a 2018 C-Suite Awards honoree in the COO category,” said Nick Fortine, Columbus Business First president and publisher. “You can count yourself among the region’s most-accomplished business leaders, inspiring and encouraging others in the community with your integrity and excellence.”

Along with other 2018 C-Suite honorees, Page’s profile will be included in the September 28 edition of Columbus Business First and will be celebrated at the C-Suite Gala on September 27 at the Hyatt Regency Columbus. The evening will feature a keynote address by Dr. Michael Drake, president of The Ohio State University, Page’s alma mater. Page is a two-time graduate of The Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a specialization in marketing and a master’s degree in sports management.

Page was also recognized as a 2016 Central Ohio Smart 50 Award recipient by Smart Business Columbus and profiled extensively in Who’s Who in Black Columbus. He was appointed in 2017 by Ohio Governor John R. Kasich as a commissioner on the Ohio Expositions Commission, which is the governing body for the Ohio Expo Center and Ohio State Fair.  Page, an advisory board member of The Ohio State University’s Hospitality Management program, is also a member of the Experience Columbus African-American Business Development Council and Columbus Black Sports Professionals. He serves as an annual guest speaker for The Ohio State University’s graduate-level sports management program and Columbus City Schools Career Day.

A 20-year SMG veteran, Page became general manager of the GCCC in 2013 and manages the venue’s daily operations, stakeholder relationships and business development. He most recently guided the facility through its award-winning 22-month, $140 million expansion and renovation and construction of the $18 million Goodale Garage, a parking facility that serves as an art-filled gateway to the Short North Arts District. He leads a staff composed of the city’s large contingent of Certified Tourism Ambassadors and continues to meet with community leaders, clients and hospitality partners to gain their insights and share the GCCC story and the facility’s future development plans.

The Greater Columbus Convention Center is located in downtown Columbus and owned by the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority and managed by SMG. The $140 million expansion and renovation of the facility was completed in July 2017.