Filmmakers, musicians, artists and business leaders met at the Springer's PATIO on Oct. 22 for the first Created in Columbus event. Photos from the evening.

Columbus filmmakers, artists, musicians and writers shared a stage with entertainment executives, business owners and elected officials on Thursday, Oct. 22, at the first Created in Columbus event. It ran from 6 to 8 p.m. at The PATIO, the Springer Opera House’s outdoor venue in downtown Columbus.

The Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce and Columbus Ahead presented the evening in partnership with Georgia Entertainment. The organizers announced it in a release Oct. 20.

The Created in Columbus sign outside the Springer Opera House
The Created in Columbus sign outside the Springer Opera House. Photo: Crizz Quinn

At a glance

  • What: Created in Columbus, the first edition
  • When: Thursday, Oct. 22, 6 to 8 p.m.
  • Where: The PATIO (Pierce Anderson Theatre in the Outdoors), Springer Opera House, downtown Columbus
  • Who: the Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce and Columbus Ahead, with Georgia Entertainment
  • Program: conversations with industry leaders, local business spotlights and a live performance

How the evening went

Guests filled the tables and the lawn at The PATIO, and speakers took turns at the microphone in front of the event backdrop.

Guests and camera crews in front of the screen at The PATIO
Guests and camera crews in front of the screen at The PATIO. Photo: Crizz Quinn

Randy Davidson, founder and CEO of Georgia Entertainment, said after the event:

“Columbus has a long history of successful public-private collaboration, bringing business, education and civic leadership together to move the region forward. That integrated approach has helped create a business-friendly environment with infrastructure, institutions and professional networks already in place to support growth. Created in Columbus highlighted how the creative industries can build on that foundation, connecting existing resources to new investment, business development and jobs.”

A speaker holds a copy of Georgia Entertainment magazine at the microphone
A speaker holds a copy of Georgia Entertainment magazine at the microphone. Photo: Crizz Quinn

Jezlan Moyet, president of Georgia Entertainment, said:

“Our goal with Created in Columbus, in partnership with The Greater Columbus Chamber, was to spotlight the businesses and resources that can help turn creative talent into successful enterprises. Beyond locations and incentives, there are entrepreneurs, attorneys, financial professionals and extraordinary artists who can help develop intellectual property and bring projects to market. The opportunity is to connect that expertise so more creators can build sustainable businesses here, bringing new ideas to life and taking projects all the way from script to screen.”

A speaker addresses guests at Created in ColumbusA speaker at the microphone in front of the Created in Columbus backdropA speaker addresses the audience on The PATIOA speaker at the microphone during Created in ColumbusCopies of Georgia Entertainment magazine on a table at The PATIOGuests at their tables as the sun goes down on The PATIO

6 photos, swipe or scroll. Photos: Crizz Quinn

What the evening was for

According to the organizers, Created in Columbus was set up to celebrate the creative professionals who make their living in the region, from artists, filmmakers and musicians to performers, writers and independent producers. It also set out to recognize the local businesses and professionals whose work supports them.

The other aim is to show off the city. The release said the event would put Columbus in front of decision-makers from across Georgia and beyond who are looking for distinctive filming locations, experienced industry partners and communities that invest in their creative economies.

Jansen Tidmore, president and CEO of the Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce, said:

“Columbus has spent years building something real in its creative and entertainment community, and the businesses and professionals behind that work deserve to be recognized and connected. The Chamber and Columbus Ahead are proud to present Created in Columbus as a statement that the creative industries are a serious part of our region’s future: for the businesses we’re growing, the talent we’re attracting and the story we’re telling to the rest of Georgia and the world.”

What was on the program

Columbus-area creative professionals held conversations with statewide industry leaders. There were also local business spotlights and a live performance. The organizers invited local business owners, elected officials and entertainment executives from across Georgia and beyond.

Before the event, Randy Davidson said:

“Columbus is where Georgia’s creative economy shows its full range. The artists, filmmakers, musicians and makers building livelihoods here are exactly the story Georgia should be telling. Created in Columbus puts that story in one place, and puts it in front of the people who most need to see it.”

Jezlan Moyet, who is also co-founder of Navigate Georgia, said beforehand that the people in attendance are what make an evening like this work:

“The strength of an evening like this is the room. We’ve spent years bringing Georgia’s creative and business communities together for events that turn conversations into partnerships. Created in Columbus will do exactly that.”

More photos from the evening

A video crew films an interview on The PATIOGuests in front of the event backdropGuests share a laugh at Created in ColumbusA group of guests in front of The PATIO stageGuests talking on The PATIO lawnGuests in front of the Springer Opera House's outdoor stageGuests on the red carpet at the Created in Columbus backdropGuests talking beside the event backdropA camera crew on The PATIO as guests arriveGuests in front of The PATIO stageGuests at a table on The PATIOGuests gather on the lawn beside the screen at The PATIOGuests with a copy of Georgia Entertainment magazineGuests at the Created in Columbus backdropGuests seated at tables on The PATIOThe audience at Created in ColumbusGuests at tables on The PATIO at duskGuests on The PATIO lawnGuests at a table on The PATIO after sunsetTwo guests on The PATIO after darkGuests in front of The PATIO buildingGuests at a table with a copy of Georgia Entertainment magazineGuests on The PATIO after darkA group at the Created in Columbus backdropThree guests at the Created in Columbus backdropGuests talking on the lawnA group of guests on The PATIO lawnThree guests on The PATIO lawnTwo guests talking on The PATIOA video interview on The PATIOGuests talking on the brick walk at The PATIOGuests in front of the stage at The PATIOLights and cameras on The PATIO lawn

33 photos, swipe or scroll. Photos: Crizz Quinn

About The PATIO

The PATIO, short for Pierce Anderson Theatre in the Outdoors, is the Springer Opera House’s outdoor venue. It was completed in 2026 and is named for Paul Pierce, the Springer’s longtime artistic director, and Ron Anderson, who founded the Springer Theatre Academy.

The organizers say the space grew out of the Springer’s outdoor theater festival in 2021, which drew about 10,000 people during the COVID-19 pandemic and led the theater to set up permanent outdoor programming.

For more on what’s coming up around the city, see our guide to things to do this weekend and arts and exhibitions this month.