Exhibitor guide · Downtown Columbus, Ohio
Greater Columbus Convention Center: the exhibitor's guide
373,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space designed by a Pritzker Prize-winning architect, a non-union building in a state that isn't right-to-work, and the first indoor hydroponic farm inside a U.S. convention center. What exhibitors need to know before, during and after a Columbus show.
GCCC · 400 N High StHero photo: "Ginormous Greater Columbus Convention Center by Peter Eisenman" by puroticorico, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr. Source
Why this page exists
The Greater Columbus Convention Center is a genuinely unusual building on two counts: it was designed by Peter Eisenman, one of architecture's most theory-driven names, in a style meant to echo the rail lines that once crossed the site, and it operates as a non-union facility even though Ohio itself has no statewide right-to-work law. That distinction matters for exhibitors: your own staff can load, unload and assemble your booth here without a union card, a policy of the venue rather than a rule of Ohio law, and union labor through IATSE Local #12 remains available if you want it. This guide covers the halls, labor rules, drayage, the shows that fill the calendar led by Cultivate, hotels connected by skywalk, and the center's history and art collection.
The building
The exhibit halls
| Space | What it is | Typical shows | Booth planning note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Four exhibit halls | 373,000 sq ft contiguous, 447,000 sq ft overall. | Large national trade shows, agricultural and horticultural conventions | Confirm current hall assignment. |
| 75 meeting rooms, 3 ballrooms | Distributed across the building, expanded in the 2017 renovation. | Breakouts, general sessions | Hand-carry and tabletop formats. |
| Smartfarm | The first indoor, vertical, LED-illuminated hydroponic farm inside a U.S. convention center. | A talking point for food-focused and sustainability-minded shows | Not exhibit space, but a notable feature to mention in show marketing. |
Figures from the Greater Columbus Convention Center's published facility overview.
The labor map
Who sets up my booth?
The GCCC operates as a non-union building, a policy of the venue itself rather than a matter of Ohio law, since Ohio has no statewide right-to-work statute. Exhibitors and their staff can load, unload and assemble their own equipment without a union card. Union labor is available through IATSE Local #12 for shows or exhibitors who want it.
Self-install allowed
Your own staff can load, unload and assemble any equipment needed, no union card required.
IATSE Local #12
Available if you prefer contracted labor for install or dismantle.
Exhibitor-appointed contractors
Purple files as your EAC for GCCC shows.
History
History and the Eisenman design
The Greater Columbus Convention Center opens, designed by architect Peter Eisenman in a distinctive style whose undulating, multicolored exterior is meant to evoke the railroad tracks that once ran through the site.
The building undergoes its first major expansion.
A further expansion and $140 million renovation adds 47,000 square feet of exhibit and meeting space, along with the Smartfarm and the largest contemporary collection of central Ohio art in any single venue, including the interactive "As We Are" sculpture.
Rules of the floor
Rules of the floor
Non-union building
Self-install is standard here; optional union labor through IATSE Local #12.
Below-average planning rate
Purple's planning estimate is about $130 per hundredweight with a 200 lb minimum, itemized separately from electrical, install labor and rigging.
Columbus Fire Department
Covered and multilevel exhibits need plan review; flame-certified fabrics for anything covered.
Center-exclusive services
Electrical, internet and catering are exclusive to the GCCC or its designated providers; the show kit carries the current list.
Empties and the MHA
EMPTY stickers on unpack; MHA before leaving. Purple routes the booth back to storage or on to your next show.
Free tool
GCCC drayage estimator
Planning numbers for 2026 and 2027; your show's exhibitor kit has the tariff.
Deadlines
Freight countdown for a GCCC show
The calendar
Shows at the GCCC
Cultivate, AmericanHort's flagship horticulture show, anchors the summer calendar.
| Show | Next dates | Industry | Attendance | Purple |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cultivate | July 10–13, 2027 | Horticulture, green industry | 12,000+ | Custom exhibits |
Attendance is the organizer's or trade press figure where published; confirm before booking.
Logistics
Hotels, transit, crew logistics
- Airport: John Glenn Columbus International is about 20 minutes.
- Connected: the Hyatt Regency Columbus links via a covered walkway.
- Walking: the Short North Arts District is a short walk north.
- Crew: Purple coordinates Midwest crews and regional freight for Columbus shows.
| Hotel | Distance | Why exhibitors pick it |
|---|---|---|
| Hyatt Regency Columbus | Connected | Covered walkway straight into the GCCC. |
| Downtown Columbus hotels | Walking distance | A range of price points near High Street. |
| Hotels near John Glenn Airport | 20-min drive | Fly-in exhibitors on early or late flights. |
Resources
Free resources you can link to
Cite the numbers
One-page cheat sheet
Hall map, labor rules, docks, deadlines.
Related on purpleexhibits.com: Custom trade show booth design · Trade show booth rentals · Request a quote.
Questions
Greater Columbus Convention Center FAQ
Can I set up my own booth?
Yes. The GCCC operates as a non-union building, so your own staff can load, unload and assemble your booth without a union card. This is a venue policy, not a matter of Ohio state law, since Ohio is not a right-to-work state.
How big is the GCCC?
373,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space across four halls, with 1.8 million square feet total.
How much is drayage?
Purple's planning estimate is about $130 per hundredweight in 2026 and 2027, with a 200-pound minimum.
Who designed the building?
Peter Eisenman, whose undulating, multicolored design is meant to evoke the railroad lines that once crossed the site.
What's the biggest show at the GCCC?
Cultivate, AmericanHort's flagship horticulture and green-industry show, held every July.
Which airport should I use?
John Glenn Columbus International is about 20 minutes from downtown.
Is there a connected hotel?
Yes, the Hyatt Regency Columbus connects via a covered walkway.
Exhibiting at the GCCC?
Send us the show and booth number. You get a labor briefing, a drayage estimate, and a build timeline within two business days.
Venue guides
Every venue we have a guide for
Same standard, every hall: the building, the rules, the tools and the calendar.