Congress Information

Congress Venue

Welcome, IFLA World Library and Information Congress 2016, to the SMG-managed Greater Columbus Convention Center (GCCC). As one of the busiest convention centers in North America, the GCCC annually hosts more than 2.5 million guests and hundreds of events.   Designed by architect Peter Eisenman, the award-winning facility is in the midst of a 125 million USD expansion and full renovation which will culminate in additional exhibition and meeting space, public art, enhanced public dining areas and technological capabilities, new wall treatments, carpeting and guest amenities.
Ideally located in the center of a vibrant entertainment district and within a day’s drive or a one-hour flight of the majority of the nation’s population, the GCCC is about 10 minutes from Port Columbus International Airport and connected to five hotels by enclosed walkway. There are 4.000 onsite parking spaces and 10.000 additional spaces nearby. The 1.7-million-square-foot GCCC offers a linear layout of customizable space, including Battelle Grand, a magnificent 74.000 square feet multipurpose ballroom that is the largest in Ohio and features floor- to-ceiling windows with city views and unique LED “fin” ceiling lighting with thousands of color combinations. The facility offers exclusive catering by Centerplate, as well as quick-service dining and a variety of merchants and service providers in the Food Court & Shops on Level 1.
Friendly Certified Tourism Ambassadors throughout the facility will provide a warm welcome to IFLA attendees and guide them to the plethora of nearby dining, entertainment and transportation options within the Arena District and Short North Arts District just outside our doors. The Columbus Visitor Center operated by Experience Columbus and the Greater Columbus Sports Commission in the Food Court & Shops also provides information about destinations within walking distance and beyond, including the nation’s #1 zoo, ballpark and science center, and the Columbus Metropolitan Library, named for multiple years by Library Journal’s America’s Star Libraries as a 5-Star Library.

Core Congress Dates

13 – 19 August 2016
The Opening Ceremony and the Exhibition Reception will take place at the Greater Columbus Convention Center on Sunday, 14 August 2016.

Exhibition

IFLA will also hold a trade exhibition at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in conjunction with the World Library and Information Congress. Attendees are invited to visit the exhibition which will be open from the afternoon of Sunday, 14 August 2016 until Wednesday, 17 August 2016. Final opening hours will be included in the Congress Programme.

Sponsorship

IFLA offers a range of commercial sponsorship opportunities for IFLA WLIC 2016. These can be booked online via the Exhibition and Sponsorship Ordering System (ESOS®). For further information regarding sponsorship and exhibition opportunities, please contact the Congress Secretariat: wlic2016-sponsorship@kit-group.org.

Congress Material

Congress material will be available for collection onsite at the congress bag desk in the registration area.

IFLA Congress Communication

IFLA will communicate news items through several channels before and during the Congress, such as the IFLA Mailing List, a Pre-Congress Newsletter and social media.

Congress Secretariat

K.I.T. Group GmbH Association & Conference Management has been appointed as the Congress Secretariat for the IFLA World Library and Information Congress 2016.

Congress Tours

A selected company will offer tours before, during, and after the congress, where guests have the chance to meet Ohio. For further information about the tours during the Congress please click here and for the Post-Congress tours here.

Hotel Reservations

All room reservations have to be made directly with the hotel by sending the official hotel booking form with the booking code “IFLA 2016” and with full credit card details directly to the hotel. Without the credit card details the booking cannot be processed. Please take note that your hotel reservation is not complete if you don’t return the completed and signed form to the hotel of your choice. Please find the hotel overview and more information here. Telephone reservations will not be accepted. If you have any changes, please contact the hotel directly. If you do not have the contact details with you we will be happy to help you at the registration counters.

Alternative Accommodation

Delegates are welcome to book their own accommodation other than the accommodation service offered by the Congress Secretariat.

Columbus, Ohio

From its founding as Ohio’s capital in 1812, Columbus has become the largest and fastest-growing city in Ohio, as well as the 15th largest in the United States. Here you’ll find the city is alive with a vibrant blend of arts and culture, a creative culinary scene and entertainment, sports, and shopping.

One of the best things about visiting Columbus is the chance to explore the fascinating and fun-filled districts.  These colorful neighborhoods are conveniently located near downtown and are an essential part of the Columbus experience.  Take a walking tour of these neighborhoods and a get a glimpse of how the city grew up.

German Village
Arena District
Short North Arts District
University District
Clintonville

For General Tourist Information
Experience Columbus
277 W. Nationwide Blvd., Ste. 125
Columbus, OH 43215

Tel.: +1 1-866-397-2657

For more information please visit the destination website: www.experiencecolumbus.com