COLUMBUS (WCMH) — Tuesday, the Columbus Foundation celebrated some of the best Columbus has to offer.
The foundation hosted the ‘National Number Ones’ lunch and program in downtown Columbus. The event celebrates the people, places and events in our area that have been recognized as the best in the US in the past year.
Gene Smith was recognized as Athletics Director of the Year. Brian Ross of Experience Columbus was recognized for the city being named the top destination in the midwest. The New Albany Classic was named the top specialty equestrian event.Full list of national number ones recognized:
- Gene Smith, The Ohio State University Athletics,
National Champions in Multiple Sports, including Football, Wrestling, Pistol, Rowing, Synchronized Swimming,
and Ohio Stadium – #1 in U.S. in Average Football Game Attendance - Ann Hamilton,National Medal of Arts – United States Government
- Tom Stalf, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium,Top Honor, Best Zoological Exhibit in U.S. – Association of Zoos and Aquariums
- Jane Grote Abell, Donatos,#1 Fast Casual Restaurant, Pizza Division – Technomic
- Nannette Maciejunes, Columbus Museum of Art,
Michael Bongiorno, DesignGroup,
Robert and Peggy Walter Wing of Columbus Museum of Art:
Best of Architecture – Wall Street Journal
- Elaine Roberts,Transportation Champions of Change Award – The White House
- Brutus Buckeye,Division 1A Mascot of the Year – Universal Cheerleaders Association
- Nancy Ferguson, former Mayor, New Albany,America’s Number One Suburb – Business Insider
- Centennial High School STEM Club,National Champions – Rube Goldberg Machine Contest
- Greg Ubert, Crimson Cup,#1 Large Coffee Roaster in North America – Roast Magazine
- Mayor Andy Ginther,
Excellence in Sustainability Award – National Environment Health Association,
and #1 Big City to get a Fresh Start in America – Credit Sesame - New Albany Classic,
In support of The Center for Family Safety and Healing,
Karen Days, President,
#1 – Specialty Equestrian Event – North American Riders Group - Tom Walker, Rev1 Ventures, Columbus,
City with Greatest Increase in Start-ups in the U.S. –
Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurship
- Twenty One Pilots,
#1 Album Debut – Billboard 200 Chart,
and Ranked #1 – Essential Records of 2015 – Alternative Press