This alert contains information on the conventions and sporting events that will be arriving in July and August 2026. We hope you find this information useful for scheduling and to help welcome attendees.
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National Emergency Number Association 2026 Annual Conference & Trade Show | June 27-July 2 |
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This event brings together public safety professionals, dispatchers, emergency managers, technology vendors and policymakers to improve emergency communications systems, especially 9-1-1 services across North America.
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U.S. Senior Open 2026 | July 2-5 |
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The U.S. Senior Open is the 46th edition of the event and features golfers from the PGA Tour Champions. Columbus previously hosted the event in 2016. A total of 156 golfers will compete in 72 holes of stroke play. Attendees can choose from multiple ticket packages through the USGA, including Trophy Club, Gallery, Gallery Flex 5-Pack and Group Tickets.
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2026 PBT Great Lakes Summer Championship | July 2-5 |
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The PB Great Lakes Summer Championship returns to the Columbus area July 2-5, 2026, bringing together 72 teams across the 14U-18U divisions for a four-game-guarantee tournament at Jennings Sports Park. Hosted by Prep Baseball Report, the event features high-level regional competition, championship bracket play and extensive college and professional scouting coverage throughout the holiday weekend.
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2026 NORCECA Women’s U21 Pan American Cup | July 7-12 |
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The 2026 NORCECA Women’s U21 Pan American Cup is an elite international volleyball tournament that will bring eight of the top junior women’s national teams from North America, Central America and the Caribbean to Ohio State’s Covelli Center from July 7–12, 2026. Hosted by USA Volleyball, the event showcases many of the sport’s rising stars and future Olympians through six days of high-level international competition, including pool play, quarterfinals, semifinals and championship matches.
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Buckeye Elite Baseball Tournament | July 9-12 |
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The Buckeye Elite Showcase Tournament is one of the Midwest’s premier high school baseball showcase events, bringint together top travel teams from across the U.S. and Canada for four days of elite competition in Central Ohio. Held on more than 55 high school and college fields, the tournament offers athletes major exposure to college recruiters and scouts while featuring championship play at Ohio State’s Bill Davis Stadium.
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2026 PB Columbus Invite | July 9-12 |
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The PB Columbus Invite is a multiday youth travel baseball tournament in the Columbus area featuring approximately 39 teams across several age divisions competing in pool play and bracket-style games. Teams compete at multiple local fields throughout the weekend in a structured schedule designed to guarantee several games per team while providing a showcase environment for players to be evaluated by scouts and recruiters.
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2026 Buckeye Showdown RecruitFest | July 10-12 |
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The Buckeye RecruitFest is a multiday fastpitch softball tournament held in Columbus featuring teams across several age divisions competing in pool play and bracket-style games at Lou Berliner Sports Park. The event serves as both a competitive tournament and recruiting showcase, with college coaches in attendance to evaluate players and provide exposure opportunities.
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Goodguys Summit Racing Nationals | July 10-12 |
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The Goodguys Summit Racing Nationals is one of the largest classic and custom car shows in the country, held annually at the Ohio Expo Center. The event brings together thousands of hot rods, muscle cars, trucks and custom builds, typically model year 1999 and older, for a weekend celebrating automotive culture and community.
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2026 Columbus Book Festival | July 11-12 |
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The Columbus Book Festival is a free annual two-day literary festival hosted by the Columbus Metropolitan Library and the Columbus Metropolitan Library Foundation. The festival features more than 200 national and Columbus-based authors, along with panel discussions, author talks, a marketplace and other literary programming.
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Cultivate'26 Presented by AmericanHort | July 11-14 |
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AmericanHort is the leading national association for the green industry. The organization is committed to connecting the industry and providing opportunities to expand networks and resources so businesses can perform better, grow faster and prepare for the future.
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Institute of Catholic Liberal Education’s (ICLE) 2026 National Conference | July 14-17 |
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Their largest annual event, the National Conference inspires and equips a growing community of Catholic educators to reclaim the Church’s full vision of education and to bring it to life in their classrooms. Hundreds of Catholic educators come together to deepen their understanding of the nature and purpose of Catholic education and its roots in the liberal arts tradition.
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NOAHCon 2026 | July 16-19 |
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The National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation (NOAH) serves as a conduit for accurate, authoritative information about all aspects of living with albinism and to provide a place where people with albinism and their families in the U.S. and Canada can find acceptance, support and fellowship.
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2026 PBT Mid Ohio Summer Championships| July 16-19 |
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The PB Mid Ohio Summer Championship is a multiday travel baseball tournament held in the Columbus area featuring 55 teams across several age divisions competing in pool play followed by bracket and consolation games. Teams compete at multiple high school and college venues throughout the region, with each team guaranteed several games over the course of the event.
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2026 North America All Sanctioned World Series 14U | July 17-19 |
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The North American All Sanctioned World Series is a multiday youth fastpitch softball tournament held in Columbus at Lou Berliner Sports Park. The event brings together teams across multiple age divisions for pool play and bracket competition, while also offering opening ceremonies, skills competitions, all-star games and recruiting opportunities for athletes.
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2026 National Convention of Free Will Baptists | July 19-22 |
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This event features worship, preaching, discussion, fellowship and celebrations, along with breakout sessions designed for learning and connecting with fellow attendees.
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Attendance: 2,500
Meals: Attendees are on their own for meals. Expect a large rush between 4-6:30 p.m.
Location: Greater Columbus Convention Center
Facebook: facebook.com/NAFWB
X: X.com/NAFWB
Group Contact: Ryan Lewis
Experience Columbus Contact: Zach Wellman
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2026 Beyond The Read Author Convention | July 23-26 |
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The Beyond The Read Author Convention is a multiday book event that connects readers with more than 150 independent authors, narrators and cover models. The event includes a day of book signing, panel discussions and social activities, attracting book lovers and literary vendors from around the world.
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2026 USAV All-Star Championships | July 23-26 |
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The USA Volleyball All-Star Championships is a high-level national junior volleyball event hosted in Columbus by the Ohio Valley Region of USA Volleyball. Held at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, the event brings together elite boys and girls athletes from across the country to compete in multiple age divisions while training under top coaches and gaining exposure to college recruiters and national team pathways.
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2026 PBT Ohio Summer World Series | July 23-26 |
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The PB Ohio Summer World Series is a multiday travel baseball tournament held in the greater Columbus area that brings together teams across several age divisions, from 14U-18U, for pool play and bracket-style championship games. Hosted primarily at Jennings Sports Park and surrounding venues, the event features scouting coverage, player evaluations and showcase opportunities for athletes seeking recruiting exposure.
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National Technical Investigators Association Annual Training & Technology Exhibition | July 26-30 |
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NATIA 2026 is the only training and exhibition of its kind in existence and offers its members over 40 hours of specialized training in techniques, procedures, and equipment. The technology exhibition showcases over 165 manufacturers and distributors of state-of-the-art Law Enforcement and investigative support products.
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Attendance: 1,300
Meals: Attendees are on their own for all meals.
Location: Greater Columbus Convention Center
Experience Columbus Contact: Jeremy Tipton
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2026 North American All Sanctioned World Series 9-12 | July 31-August 2 |
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The 8U, 10U and 12U All Sanctioned World Series is a multiday youth fastpitch softball tournament held at Lou Berliner Sports Park. The event brings together teams from multiple sanctioning organizations for pool play and championship brackets, along with opening ceremonies, skills competitions and all-star games that create a World Series-style experience for athletes and families.
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2026 Premier Lacrosse League Tour | July 31-August 2 |
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The 2026 Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) Tour will bring professional lacrosse to Columbus from July 31–August 2 at Ohio State Lacrosse Stadium. As one of the league’s official tour stops, the event will feature all eight PLL teams competing in six games over three days, drawing athletes, coaches, staff and an estimated 10,000 spectators. The weekend marks the PLL’s first return to Columbus since 2023 and will offer fans a premier professional lacrosse experience. Food and beverage service will be provided through Ohio State Athletics and stadium concession partners, while attendees are encouraged to explore Columbus’ diverse dining scene before and after games.
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2026 The Memorial Junior | August 4-6 |
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The 2026 Memorial Junior will bring many of the nation’s top junior golfers to compete at Ohio State University Golf Club - Scarlet Course in Columbus, Ohio. As part of the prestigious American Junior Golf Association schedule, the tournament showcases elite young talent in one of the country’s premier junior golf events. Known for its challenging layout and championship tradition, the Scarlet Course provides a world-class stage for rising players to test their skills against top national competition. The event also offers athletes valuable exposure and experience as they pursue collegiate and professional golf opportunities. Food and beverage services for participants and spectators are expected to be available through Ohio State University Golf Club operations, including clubhouse dining and concession offerings. At this time, no off-site group meals, banquets, or special hospitality functions have been confirmed.
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Association of Diabetes Care & Educational Specialists 2026 Annual Conference and Exposition | August 7-10 |
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ADCES® is an interdisciplinary professional membership organization dedicated to advancing the quality of diabetes care and education. Its aim is to enhance understanding, prevention and management of diabetes, ultimately improving the lives of those at risk for and affected by the disease.
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National Association of Insurance Commissioners 2026 Summer National Meeting | August 11-15 |
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Connect with insurance commissioners and like minded individuals. Support state regulators in their mission to protect public interests and competitive insurance markets.
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The Institute for Public Procurement 2026 NIGP Annual Forum and Products Exposition | August 23-26 |
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NIGP Forum offers cutting-edge educational content and expert insights to keep attendees informed about the latest industry trends and best practices.
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American Fisheries Society 2026 Annual Meeting | August 30-September 3 |
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Founded in 1870, AFS is the leading source of fisheries and management information across North America and around the world. The mission of the American Fisheries Society is to improve the conservation and sustainability of fishery resources and aquatic ecosystems by advancing fisheries and aquatic science and promoting the development of fisheries professionals.
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2026 Gay Softball World Series | August 31–September 5 |
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The 2026 Gay Softball World Series, organized by International Pride Softball, will be held in Columbus from August 30 to September 5, 2026, at Berliner Sports Park. Recognized as the world’s largest LGBTQ+ single-sport athletic competition, the event is expected to draw more than 230 teams and approximately 5,000 athletes from across the U.S. and Canada for a week of softball competition, social events, and community celebration focused on inclusion, visibility, and LGBTQ+ pride. Food and beverage services are expected to be available through Berliner Sports Park concession operations and event hospitality partners, with concessions offered throughout tournament play. Opening Ceremonies will take place in downtown Columbus on Monday, August 31. Athletes will generally be on their own for meals outside of event programming.
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The Convention and Sports Alert is published monthly to assist area restaurants, hotels and other facilities in anticipating their staffing and supply needs. To add a recipient to receive this email, have them fill out this form. To change or delete an email recipient, please contact Jenese Tchokouani at jtchokouani@experiencecolumbus.com.
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