Business View Magazine | July 2022

175 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 9, ISSUE 7 COLUMB I A METROPOL I TAN CONVENT ION CENTER send it out as they market their event to help people feel more comfortable.” Those efforts seem to be working well. According to Britt, “There were periods of time during 2020 and early 2021 when everyone was talking about a ‘new normal’ for events, but we’ve been very fortunate, and you can sense with attendance and with clients that everyone is anxious to get back together. There’s plenty of demand there.” As attendance numbers start to rise again, Britt and Swanson are both hopeful that increase in traffic will lead to even more growth within and outside the walls of the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. Swanson shares, “Many of our events have outgrown our space and we would like to grow to be able to accommodate those and also have the economic impact that it provides to the community.” Business at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center has now returned to its pre-pandemic levels. Events are happening at the same frequency as 2018-2019, however attendance at those events is still below normal. In general, they are seeing attendance down 20 to 30 percent – for future bookings and bookings that are happening right now. Using their pandemic-earned knowledge and expertise, CMCC has been helping its clients to communicate the safety measures put in place that will help attendees feel more comfortable in a large group setting. “This is a lot of groups’ first conference back and they were hesitant on the attendance,” Britt reports. “Our preventative measures we put in place in 2020 have paid dividends moving forward because we were able to help communicate that and make people more comfortable coming to the events that are booked now as we move out of it. We are providing language to our clients who can then Get Away to the Heart of South Carolina COMFORT INN COLUMBIA BUSH RIVER 803.798.5101 911 BUSH RIVER RD, COLUMBIA, SC 29210 COMFORTINNCOLUMBIASC.COM COME EXPERIENCE SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY. GUEST AMENITIES: FREE WIFI FREE HOT BREAKFAST & COFFEE BUSINESS CENTER PET-FRIENDLY FITNESS CENTER SEASONAL OUTDOOR POOL Party Re ections is proud to provide memorable events at the Columbia Convention Centre Ed Santiago, General Manager – Account Manager 803.978.9710 | Direct Line 803.794.0010 | Columbia Main Office www.PartyReflections.com