People in Places: Joe Shaw

Joe Shaw is the Director of Event Management and Parking for the Greater Columbus Convention Center (GCCC). Since the 1980s, Joe has played a pivotal role in every event and gathering that the Convention Center has hosted. Across the last 40+ years, Joe has witnessed the facility’s evolution to a nationally recognized destination, and we sat down with him to talk about his experience.

Questions and Answers

Can you tell us about your journey to your current position?
I started in July of 1980 at the Ohio Center, which was downtown’s first convention center. I began as a security guard with a contract company. After about a year, the Convention Center took over, so my official start date is 1981. From there, I worked my way up, became head of security, and then an event manager for Battelle Hall. When SMG took over in 1997, I stayed on, and about a year later, they created the Director of Event Management position, and I was asked to take it. I also took on parking shortly after, since I had experience there, and I’ve been building out the department ever since.

What initially drew you to this kind of work?
Honestly, a lot of it was luck, being in the right place at the right time. But once I got into it, I liked the pace. It’s not like an office job. Every day is different. After a while, you realize you enjoy that kind of environment. The facility and the people have definitely been the reasons I have stayed here. I’m from Columbus, born and raised, and my family is here. I’m not someone who wants to pick up and move, so that’s been a big factor too.

What does a typical day look like for you?
A lot of planning. Looking ahead at upcoming events, reviewing the calendar, walking the facility and reporting anything that needs attention. I work closely with operations, communicate with different departments, and stay on top of maintenance needs. I still manage events myself, especially when we’re short-staffed, so I’m answering emails, coordinating details and making sure clients’ needs are met. I also keep up with industry trends, especially in parking and check in daily with my team to make sure everything’s covered.

Are there any upcoming events you’re especially excited about?
We’re excited about all of them but Cultivate in July is a big one; it’s one of our premier legacy events and transforms the entire facility with horticulture exhibits. We also have the Ohio Star Ball, another long-standing event, and we recently hosted the annual Arnold Sports Festival. At the same time, we’re planning years ahead. We have had site visits for 2027 and even 2028 events.

How far in advance are you planning for events?
Sometimes as far out as 2030 or 2031. Some groups plan that far ahead, so we’re constantly looking at long-term availability and trying to stay on their radar. If you do a good job, they keep coming back.

What are some behind-the-scenes aspects of your job that people might not realize?
The amount of time and detail it takes to plan an event. We coordinate with the city, fire department and safety teams. Security has evolved a lot, too, with things like modern screening systems and updated protocols. It’s always changing, so you have to stay on top of regulations and adapt depending on who you’re working with.

What sets our convention center apart from others?
Our service. We’re flexible, friendly, and we treat groups like partners. Some venues are rigid…we try to fit the event into our framework while still meeting their needs. We’re here early, we stay late and we support them from start to finish. Some groups aren’t used to that level of service.

How has the events industry changed over time?
Technology has been the biggest change. We went from phone calls and hand-drawn diagrams to CAD drawings and digital communication. Customer service hasn’t changed; that’s always been the foundation, but the tools we use definitely have. Some events have also changed as the industry has. At the same time, sports events, especially volleyball, gymnastics, and dance, have grown significantly. We host something almost every weekend now.

What’s your favorite part about working in Columbus?
It still feels like a small town, even though it’s a big city. It has that Midwest attitude—people are friendly, it’s walkable, and it’s welcoming to everyone.

How does the convention center contribute to Columbus’s growth?
We bring in business and exposure. When we host major industry groups like association executives or conference planners, they experience the city firsthand. That’s huge because those are the people who decide where future events go. It’s basically direct marketing for Columbus.

What keeps you inspired after so many years?

The people. Training new staff, working with longtime colleagues…it really feels like a family here. And every day is different. You might have a plan, but something always comes up, and you adapt. That keeps it interesting.