COR launches new talent retention and community pride initiative Crash Course Columbia

The program aims to build local champions and will take place four times a year

Columbia Opportunity Resource (COR), in partnership with Experience Columbia SC, has launched a new talent retention and local pride initiative, Crash Course Columbia. The quarterly program was kicked off by a press conference earlier today.

Crash Course Columbia is an immersive experience taking an intimate group of about 30 local professionals behind the scenes at hotspots across the greater Columbia region. Targeting individuals who are either new to the working world or new to Columbia, the group will tour through entertainment districts in both Richland and Lexington counties discovering hidden gems, local traditions and burgeoning development.

“Talent retention has always been an integral part of COR’s mission,” says Briana Bateman, COR Board Chair. “Crash Course Columbia is an opportunity to share our passion for Columbia with new audiences in hopes that they become champions for our region and develop a closer connection to the community.”

The day-and-a-half program will be spent hopping between entertainment districts allowing participants to learn more about upcoming development; discover key attractions like Riverbanks Zoo and Garden and the plethora of ways to enjoy the rivers; explore the history of our city and where to find public art; and taste top food and drink spots across the region. Many stops will include exclusive, behind-the-scenes experiences available only to program-goers.

“Columbia has so much to offer, and it’s exciting to see a group of emerging leaders with so much passion for our community taking initiative to address talent retention in a very practical way,” says City of Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin. “I am confident that those who attend Crash Course Columbia will walk away with a greater sense of local pride, a critical factor in the continued growth of our region.”

Starting with a networking hour and dinner on Thursday, the program reconvenes Friday for a full day of local learning. Crash Course Columbia will be held quarterly, and each tour will feature a new group of participants. The itinerary will remain the same for all 2020 dates; in future years it will shift to highlight new attractions and development. The pilot program took place on January 31, allowing organizers to test the itinerary and participant reaction. The 2020 Crash Course Columbia tour dates will be as follows: March 12-13, May 14-15, to-be-determined dates in August and October.

“As the destination marketing organization for the Columbia region, Experience Columbia SC strives to drive economic impact to Columbia businesses such as hotels, restaurants, shops and attractions in the form of meetings, sporting events and leisure travel,” says President & CEO for Experience Columbia SC, Bill Ellen. “Our locals are our biggest marketing tool and we support any initiative that will increase pride and positive word of mouth for our region.”

Talent retention is an important factor in the development and growth of the Columbia region. Research shows that residents who feel a sense of belonging to their community are less likely to move and more likely to share their love for their city with friends. At the end of Crash Course Columbia, participants should have an authentic appreciation for Columbia and be optimistic about Columbia’s future. The goal is to build a rising number of local champions who will connect with the fabric of our region’s culture, take part in the forward-movement of the community and, ultimately, choose to stay in Columbia.

Crash Course Columbia is open to professionals of all ages who want to be connected to the community. For more information about the program and how to sign up for an upcoming tour, please visit www.crashcoursecolumbia.org.

 

About Crash Course Columbia

Crash Course Columbia is an immersive experience taking an intimate group of locals behind the scenes of hotspots across the greater Columbia S.C. region. A talent retention and local pride initiative driven by COR in partnership with Experience Columbia SC. For more information about Crash Course Columbia, visit www.crashcoursecolumbia.org

 

About Columbia Opportunity Resource

COR | Columbia Opportunity Resource connects talented professionals in the greater Columbia area to diverse and meaningful networks through leadership development, community service and social opportunities. For more information, please visit www.ourcor.org.

 

About Experience Columbia SC

Experience Columbia SC is the region’s destination marketing organization. We’re responsible for all marketing efforts intended to help more visitors discover all that makes Columbia the real Southern hot spot. Think of us as the biggest cheerleader for the heart of South Carolina. For more information, please visit www.experiencecolumbiasc.com.