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Update #10:

Preparing for your Trip to Columbus

As everyone is preparing for their trips to Columbus and The Heart of It All, the Columbus Conference Team wanted to send some reminders and suggestions on what you’ll want to bring and info you may find useful in your travels.

“The Heart of it All” Website

Visit our conference website at https://2024.pridebands.org/ for everything you need to make the most of your experience.


Dive into our Conference Schedule on Sched, where you’ll find a detailed itinerary of insightful talks, engaging workshops, and good times!


Navigate Downtown Columbus effortlessly with our Participant Guide v 2.0 and Maps, ensuring you never miss a beat from session to session.


Plus, follow along with our Digital Concert Programs, featuring talented artists and performers celebrating diversity and inclusion.


QR codes will be available at registration and on posters for all of the venues for ease of access.

Traveling to the Renaissance Hotel Downtown Columbus

The address from the John Glenn Columbus International Airport is:


4600 International Gateway, Columbus, OH 43219


The address to the Renaissance Columbus Downtown Hotel* is:


50 N 3rd St, Columbus, OH 43215


The hotel is a mere 6 miles from the airport. Please note that the hotel does not have a shuttle to and from the airport.


“AirConnect provides conference-goers fast, reliable transportation from John Glenn International Airport (CMH) to 13 designated COTA transit stops along High Street in downtown Columbus, all conveniently located near hotels and the Greater Columbus Convention Center.


All rides are $2 one way, and riders have two payments options:

  • Download the Transit app (https://www.cota.com/transitapp/) on your smartphone prior to riding AirConnect. Create an account, load money using a credit or debit card, scan and ride. With the Transit app, you’ll never pay more than $4.50 per day, regardless of how often you ride.

  • Pay in cash. Note: you must have the exact fare when boarding; operators do not carry change.


With scheduled rides leaving and arriving every 30 minutes, AirConnect gets you there on time. Rides from John Glenn International Airport to downtown Columbus depart every 30 minutes between 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. The last airport ride of the evening leaves at 9:30 p.m. Rides departing from downtown Columbus to the airport also run every 30 minutes.


Find the AirConnect stop at the airport just outside of the Baggage Claim area (lower level). Just look for the AirConnect signage, which is where you’ll wait for your transit vehicle to arrive. Downtown, there are 13 designated AirConnect stops along High Street and at the COTA Transit Terminal (25 E. Rich St.). Look for the AirConnect logo on COTA signage along the road.”


Uber and Lyft are both available for pick up by scheduling an appointment using the mobile apps:


Uber: https://www.uber.com/


Lyft: https://www.lyft.com/


*Check in for the Renaissance Hotel starts at 4:00 pm.

Hotel Parking

The Renaissance Hotel Downtown Columbus has valet parking services for $45 per day. Here are a couple more parking options we recommend if you are renting or own a vehicle:


SP+ Parking Lot: 72 E Gay St, Columbus, OH 43215

(about 0.1 mi walk, 3 minutes)


Uptown District Public Parking Lot: 62 E Gay St, Columbus, OH 43215

(about 0.1 mi walk, 3 minutes)


Street parking in downtown Columbus is available at hourly rates using the ParkColumbus app:


Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/parkcolumbus/id1375540083


Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.parkmobile.parkcolumbus&hl=en_US

Weather Forecast

The weather forecast for next week during the conference is low to mid 80s with partly cloudy skies during the day and high to mid 60s at night, so plan your wardrobe accordingly.


Don’t forget some sunscreen and your swim suits for the outdoor rooftop pool at the hotel!

PRINT YOUR MUSIC!

Remember to print your music, but, in case you forget, there’s a FedEx Office two blocks from the host hotel.


For assistance on accessing music files please email conference@columbuspridebands.org.

Packing/Attire Reminders

If you’re playing in the concert band:

  • Dress is concert black with a pop of color – socks, tie, accessories, etc

  • Brass – don’t forget to double check which mutes you’ll need!

    • Scioto trumpet players, bring non-metallic straight mute (in addition to a metallic straight mute) as a substitute for the “paper mute” in the Rumba.


If you’re playing in the pep band:

  • Dress is the 2024 Columbus conference t-shirt, black shorts, any color of socks, any color of shoes…and a touch of flair if you’d like.

  • Flip folders and lyres will be used for this performance. If you are in need of assistance please email conference@columbuspridebands.org.


If you’re playing in the big band:

  • Dress is concert black with a pop of color – socks, tie, accessories, etc.

  • If you plan on attending and dancing at the swing dance, we recommend wearing casual, relaxed fitting clothes and comfortable shoes.


If you’re performing in the chamber recital:

  • Dress is business casual to formal based on whatever your ensemble has decided.


If you’re attending the Welcome Kick off and/or the Gala Reception:

  • No official dress code – anything from casual to formal. Many people have said they plan to get a bit dressier for the gala reception.

Conference Concert Band Tickets

Now On Sale!

Tickets are $25 plus CAPA fees and taxes.  We are performing at the Jo Ann Davidson Theatre in downtown Columbus where we will premiere our commission composed by Viet Cuong honoring Civil Rights activist Jim Obergefell, both of whom will be in attendance at the performance.

One Last Thing…

One last thing before you head out to Columbus….


They say it’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey. So, in the spirit of journeys over destinations, we want to invite everyone who is part of The Heart of It All to share their journeys with us!


We have an Official Conference Instagram where we want to see and hear from you as you prepare for your journey to Columbus as well as you enjoy your time during the 2024 conference.

You can post to 2024.prideband with #HeartOfItAll2024 to have your photos and memories shared with your pride bands family during the conference. We have some fun plans to share these with everyone during our finale concert Saturday night!


As always, any questions or requests for additional information can be sent to conference@columbuspridebands.org


See you in a few days in the heart of downtown Columbus!


-The Columbus Conference Team

This conference is hosted by the Columbus Pride Bands. Check out our upcoming events at our band’s website!

The Columbus Pride Bands is a proud member of the following organizations: