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The Ohio State University-Events and Conferences

Your one-stop shop for bringing exceptional events and conferences to The Ohio State University!
Conferences, Meetings and Events, 1739 N. High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43210
3500 Guests

Unique Venue Features

  • Runner-Up: Mid-Market Venue
  • Best of Awards - Unique Venues

Event Types Welcomed

Adult Social Events
Corporate Social Events
Expo/Competitions
Family Reunions
Professional Meeting / Training / Conference / Retreats
Wedding Ceremonies
Wedding Receptions
Youth Retreat/Camps

About

The Ohio State University and our premier facilities are centrally located in Columbus, Ohio and is the perfect place to host your next conference, corporate/board meeting, holiday celebration, summer conference, camps, banquet, gala/fundraiser, and other special events. We have multiple facilities including the Ohio Union event venue on campus that has 34 dynamic spaces and sure to impress with 85,000 sq. ft. of rentable event spaces.  We also can provide multiple venue options that include our Ohio Stadium and Rec Sports facilities. Our professional event services will make your event one to remember. The flexible event spaces can be set up in banquet, theater or classroom style to best suit your event, and the campus is conveniently located near a variety of restaurants, hotels, and local entertainment.

The Ohio State University’s Office of Summer Conference Housing welcomes the opportunity to host your next summer conference or camp. We successfully host many summer conferences each summer in multiple venue locations and executed by our Events and Conferences team, for example, with summer conference housing available in our residence halls and dining facilities during the months of May, June and July. During the academic year, we have 2100 + hotel accommodations available nearby on and off campus.

Each summer season, Summer Conference Housing coordinates the residence hall housing, meeting space and traditional dining experiences of nearly 25,000 guests spread throughout over 125 unique events. No matter the size subject matter or scope we take pride in providing our guests with the finest Buckeye experience possible!

View some more of the features below to see why The Ohio State University should be your Columbus event venue for everything from corporate meetings to weddings and more!

Our coordination services include:

  • Providing a pre-consultation meeting to organize and refine your housing, residence hall meeting space and traditional dining needs
  • Arranging for the delivery of University Services including housing, traditional dining, residence hall facility meeting room needs and more
  • Providing office services, technology and support
  • Following up and physically checking on arrangements prior to guests’ arrival, to ensure that all arrangements are delivered as expected and requested
  • Providing a comprehensive final invoice for all requested services

Meeting & Event Spaces

Max Capacity: 3500 Guests
Largest Classroom Style: 750
Largest Theatre Style: 1500
Largest Auditorium Seating: 1500
Largest Arena Seating: 3600
Largest Seated Reception: 850
Largest Standing Reception: 1500
Academic Year Largest Group: yes

Archie M. Griffin Grand Ballroom

Named for two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin, the grand ballroom is the largest room in the Ohio Union and one of the largest ballrooms in Central Ohio. With its three beautiful chandeliers and floor-to-ceiling windows, this is the ideal space for large conferences, gatherings and special events.

The space can also be divided into the East and West ballrooms, and includes pre-function spaces ideal for registration or buffet tables. No matter what type of event you're hosting the Archie M. Griffin Grand Ballroom is the perfect space to accommodate every event need.

  • 17, 539 Sq. Ft.
  • 980 Banquet Style
  • 780 Classroom Style
  • 1700 Theatre Style
  • Floorplan Layout

Performance Hall and Potter Plaza

Known for the beautiful high ceilings, colorful chandeliers and large built-in stage, the Performance Hall is the second largest space in the Ohio Union. Often used for plenary sessions, banquets, and galas, its a great fit for an array of events. Looking for a room with a unique feature? The east wall of the Performance Hall opens up to Potter Plaza, an outdoor area perfect for cocktail receptions or smaller gatherings.
  • 5,186 Sq. Ft.
  • 300 Banquet Style
  • 270 Classroom Style
  • 500 Theatre Style
  • Floorplan Layout

Great Hall Meeting Room

Located on the first floor of the Ohio Union, the Great Hall Meeting Room is the most versatile room in the building. With the ability to divide the room into two medium or three smaller rooms, this space is ideal for receptions, breakout meetings and lectures.
  • 5,070 Sq. Ft.
  • 330 Banquet Style
  • 288 Classroom Style
  • 500 Theatre Style
  • Floorplan Layout

Cartoon Room

Featuring artwork from Ohio State Alumni and local Ohio artists, the Cartoon Room offers a uniquely creative atmosphere. This room is a versatile meeting room that can function as one large meeting space or be split into two smaller sections.
  • 2,900 Sq. Ft.
  • 190 Banquet Style
  • 144 Classroom Style
  • 330 Theatre Style
  • Floorplan Layout

US Bank Conference Theater

This state-of-the-art theater features a built-in stage, tech booth and green room and is a great private space for showing films or hosting seminars, performances and larger meetings. Each seat includes a wooden pull-out desk and a laptop outlet.
  • 2,508 Sq. Ft.
  • 293 Theatre Style

Food & Beverage Options

Traditional Dining Services (All-You-Care-To-Eat Options)

These traditional dining venues provide the full range of great-tasting, wholesome, comfort food you crave, with a touch of buckeye inspiration to nourish the minds of tomorrow. Plus, our Solutions station is exclusively dedicated to guests with vegetarian/vegan preferences and gluten-free or other dietary restrictions.

There are three locations convenient to each residential area of campus.
  • Kennedy Traditions on South Campus
  • Scott Traditions on North Campus
  • Morrill Traditions on West Campus
Seating Capacity: Varies by Location; 350-1,000 Seating Range

Espress-OH

Warm-up with a specialty coffee or cool down with a scoop of homemade gelato in the Ohio Union coffee shop, Espress-OH. Conveniently located near the bus stop, stop by Espress-OH for a tasty treat and remember to check for special seasonal coffee creations throughout the year.

Union Market

The heart of OSU resides here. Located in the Ohio Union, the Union Market offers classic favorites at the Fired Up! grill, fresh salads at Across the Field, international fare at Buckeye Passports and fresh deli sandwiches and wraps at Dough-HIO. Cuisine includes Deli-Style Sandwiches, Entrees/Pastas/Wraps, Ice Cream, Pizza, Salad, Salad Bar, Soup, Specialty Coffees, Subs, Sushi, Yogurt/Fruit, Bagels/Muffins/Pastries

Sloopy's Diner

Experience a blast from the past in Sloopy's Diner at the Ohio Union! Catch all your breakfast favorites, diner-style classics and sandwiches named for student leaders and alumni at almost any hour of the day in this 1950's-inspired diner. Cuisine includes Breakfast Entrees, Breakfast Sandwiches, Deli-Style Sandwiches, Entrees/Pastas/Wraps, Salad, Soup, Yogurt/Fruit, Bagels/Muffins/Pastries

Woody's Tavern

In honor of our legendary Coach, Woody's Tavern, located in the Ohio Union, showcases pizza, Ohio's finest beer and wine, popcorn and good old-fashioned root beer. If the six foot high pizza oven alone doesn't make it the campus hot spot, its DJ booth and timeless charm of a brasserie will!

Catering Options

University Catering

University Catering is the exclusive caterer for the Ohio Union. Our talented food and beverage team is eager to enhance your meeting or special event with culinary creations guaranteed to delight your guests! Whether your event calls for a casual lunch buffet, outdoor cocktail reception, or elegant plated dinner, University Catering will prepare a menu that, paired with our innovative event spaces and dedicated staff, will make your event a surefire success.

http://universitycatering.osu.edu/
Menu

Accommodations

  • Total Number of Overnight Guests: 3500
  • Number of Overnight Rooms: 4500
  • Wi-Fi in Guest Rooms: Yes
  • Wi-Fi Guest Room Cost : Complimentary
Overnight Room Attributes
  • Air-conditioned rooms available
  • Linens Provided
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Towels
  • Washer/Dryer

South Campus High Rises (Smith-Steeb, Park-Stradley & Siebert Halls)

Smith-Steeb, Park-Stradley and Siebert are eleven story residence halls with resident rooms on floors two through eleven. Residence Halls are available May-July. Each building has the following features:

Each floor has four bathrooms, each containing a community sink area and individual-use, private, lockable rooms with shower and toilet.
Hall desk staffed 24 hours/day to respond to guest inquiries.
Study lounge space on each floor.
Kitchen facilities in either the basement or 1st floor.
Laundry facilities in basement.
A 3D virtual tour can be seen HERE
1,315 Rooms | 2,500 Beds

This accommodation has A/C

Floorplan Layout

The Residence on 10th

The Residence on 10th is a six story residence hall with resident rooms on floors one through six. Residence Halls are available May-July. It has the following features:

Shared suite-style bathrooms.
Hall desk staffed 24 hours/day to respond to guest inquiries.
Study lounge space on each floor.
Kitchen facilities on the ground floor.
Laundry facilities on the ground floor.
Indoor bicycle storage available.
Dining Services adjacent to facility
A 3D virtual tour can be seen HERE
101 Rooms | 526 Beds

This accommodation has A/C

Floorplan Layout

University Hospitality District

When you are hosting a large event or conference in the Ohio Union during the academic year (August-April), University Hospitality District is your one-stop to finding the best hotels, transportation, and support services that Columbus, Ohio has to offer. Ask for the OSU rate and transportation to and from the Ohio Union. To learn more, visit http://www.uhdcolumbus.com/

 
2100 Rooms
Guest Wifi: No

This accommodation has A/C

Featured Amenities

A/V Equipment
Accessible Facilities
Air Conditioning
Bike Rentals
Bus
Dance Floor
Eco-Friendly
Fitness Center
Flexible Floor Plan
In-House Catering
Lactation Station
Laundry
Linens
Near Public Transit
Outdoor Fire Area
Outdoor Space
Overnight Rooms
Paid Parking
Running Trails
Scenic Views
Sports Facilities
Stage
Tables
Taxi
Theater Seating
VIP Room
WiFi
Yoga & Meditation

Venue Location + Transportation

Address

Conferences, Meetings and Events,

1739 N. High Street,

Columbus, Ohio 43210

Transportation

Taxi
Bus
Metro
Lyft
Uber

Nearby Airport

John Glenn Port Columbus International Airport - 12 minutes

Nearby International Airport

John Glenn Port Columbus International Airport - 12 minutes

Parking

Parking on Site: Yes

Car charging stations: Yes

Things to Know

Catering

In-house catering available

Must Use In-House Catering: Yes

External Catering Allowed: No

Can Bring In Own Food: No

Food And Beverage Onsite: Yes

Do You Offer Tables, Chairs, And Linens?: Yes

Venue Policies

Alcohol Consumption: Yes

Smoking Permitted: No

Eco Friendly: Yes

ADA Accessible: Yes

Family Friendly: Yes

Pet Friendly: Yes

Technology

The Ohio Union and our venues offer many special event accommodations including built-in audiovisual equipment, LCD projectors, screens, speaker system, podiums and complimentary wireless internet. Staging, dance floors, and specialty lighting are available upon request to enhance your event.

With over 90 LCD screens throughout the building and built-in audio visual equipment, such as LCD projectors and screens in almost every room, the Union is able to accommodate many technology needs. Several spaces boast AV Booths and specialty lighting.

Guest Wi-Fi: Free

Onsite Tech Support: Yes

Wi-Fi In Meeting Space: Yes

Equipment Available On-Site:
  • LCD Projectors
  • Projector Screen
  • Laptops
  • Microphones
  • Sound System
  • Custom Lighting

Testimonials

I want to thank you for all of your efforts in supporting our event last week. You were tremendous; you clearly have an exceptional talent in meeting planning and creativity and problem solving! Our members loved the facilities at the Ohio Union. They are beautiful and comfortable, and it was great for all of us to be in an environment with so many energetic students around. Thank you to you and your team!

Angel Capital Association

We had a lot of positive comments on the food and Ohio Union& catering this year from our attendees! They were happy with the variety of foods on the breakfast buffet, and the healthy food options available. We have a lot of vegetarians, vegans and health-conscious attendees and they were very pleased with the choices. Plus- we greatly appreciated the catering team's flexibility with tweaking some of the pre-set menu options;

American Horticultural Society- National Conference

I want to thank the staff at the Ohio Union at The Ohio State University for a beautiful reception. The organization, efficiency, service, friendliness and attention to the guests from servers, bartenders and the rest of the staff was flawless. The food was absolutely delicious and elegantly presented. All of our guests were talking about the fabulous hors d'oeuvres and dinners. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for making the reception an Ohio State memory of a lifetime for all of us. You are the greatest.

Mother of the Bride for Wedding Reception

Everything went very smoothly at the renewable energy event. I received a lot of wonderful feedback from those in attendance about the facility, the layout, and they literally raved about the food. I appreciate the Sales and Event team, the catering team, the AV team, the guys who helped us haul our stuff in and out of the building, EVERYONE for their assistance in making the seminar such a smooth and seamless process for us. I was just discussing with the rest of the team this week their thoughts and everyone really enjoyed being at the Ohio Union.

Corporate Client for first time “Green” Event

Dear Ohio Union AV Department, I just want to let you know, your AV team was so helpful to me today. They rushed around to help me; Had an I'll do anything I can attitude; Problem solved when out-of-the-box thinking was critical and even made a cardboard box to help me! They did not just say, Sorry, I can't help; I am so thankful to them. My presentation at the Ohio Union went so well, and its all thanks to them.

OSU Student Customer

Technology

Audio-Visual and Equipment

Audio-Visual and Equipment

The Ohio Union offers a variety of audio-visual and technological accommodations to enhance our client's events.

Complimentary wireless internet

Built-in audio-visual equipment

LCD projectors and screens

Staging, dance floors and podiums

Specialty lighting

Green rooms

Additional equipment and service are available on request.

Our event services staff will advise you on equipment, set-up and pricing to ensure your event is a success.