• 1884 – founded as the Columbus Board of Trade
• 1910 – changed name to the Columbus Chamber of Commerce
• 1956 – changed name to Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce
• 1994 – changed name to Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce
• 2004 – changed name to Columbus Chamber

Past Initiatives

• 1915 – helped establish Columbus Chapter, American Red Cross
• 1927 – participated in campaign to develop modern airport
• 1941-44 – assisted in the war effort, including helping local industries to get into war production; campaigned for the Red Cross, War Bond, War Chest, Blood Donor, and Victory Garden programs; and, worked with U.S.O.
• 1973 – led the creation of the Greater Columbus Arts Council
• 1991 – creation of the Greater Columbus Inland Port

Columbus Award

Leadership is the essence of the Columbus Award, given each year by the Chairman of the Greater Columbus Chamber to an individual who has enjoyed business success and provided outstanding community leadership.

2008 David Meuse 2007 Alex Shumate, Esq. 2006 Jerry Jurgensen 2005 Don M. Casto III 2004 William J. Lhota 2003 Dimon McFerson 2002 E. Linn Draper, Jr., Ph.D. 2001 Robert D. Walter 2000 Ronald A. Pizzuti 1999 Paula Spence 1998 Jo Ann Davidson 1997 Bob and Dorothy Teater 1996 John B. Gerlach 1995 John B. McCoy 1994 Leslie H. Wexner 1993 John F. Wolfe 1992 Vern Riffe 1991 Richard Moore Ross and Elizabeth McKeever Ross 1990 Robert M. Duncan 1989 Melvin L. Schottenstein 1988 Daniel M. Galbreath 1987 John W. Kessler 1986 John E. Fisher 1985 Robert Lazarus, Jr. 1984 Frank Wobst 1983 Rep. Chalmers P. Wylie 1982 German Village Society 1981 John H. McConnell 1980 Dr. Joseph L. Davis 1979 C. Kenneth Smith 1978 Rowland C. W. Brown, Mayor Tom Moody 1977 Walter English, Robert S. Crane 1976 Walter C. Mercer, Clair E. Fultz John G. McCoy 1975 Sherwood L. Fawcett, Dean W. Jeffers 1974 Chief Justice C. William O'Neill, John C. Elam 1973 Edward F. Wagner, James Ralph Riley, Robert K. Levy, Sr. 1972 Charles Y. Lazarus, William S. Guthrie 1971 Novice G. Fawcett 1970 Harrison M. Sayre, Paul R. Gingher 1969 W.W. "Woody" Hayes 1968 Everett D. Reese 1967 Gov. James A. Rhodes 1966 Mayor M.E. Sensenbrenner 1965 Bertram D. Thomas, Jack Nicklaus, William E. Knepper 1964 Jerrie Mock, Robert Lazarus, Sr. John W. Galbreath