USITT25 in Columbus, OH
March 5-8, 2025

This survival guide is your hub for any and all important information once you're on-site at USITT25! Below are important dates and times, quick links, a few tips and tricks, maps, and more! Remember to check your email when you're onsite for daily Conference highlights and events!

*PLEASE NOTE: USITT25 BOOKSTORE AND ALL BARS ARE CASHLESS. CREDIT AND DEBIT CARDS ARE ACCEPTED.
 

Conference Location

Columbus Convention Center address
400 N High St. 
Columbus, OH 43215
 

Get to Know Our Host City

Visit our Experience Columbus page for local discounts, Entertainment, and a peak at some of the folks who are powering live entertainment in Ohio!

Looking for places to explore while you're in town? Check out some spots to stop here and here!
 

Transportation Around Columbus

Just a one-day drive from nearly half of the U.S. population, John Glenn Columbus International Airport is just 10 minutes from downtown. Whether you prefer transportation that is on demand, on a fixed route, or on your own schedule, getting to and around Columbus is easy and accessible. 

View the Experience Columbus transportation guide here for more information.
To learn more about USITT's Housing and transportation options, visit our page here!
 

Registration

Your first stop when you arrive at USITT25 is to pick up your badge at registration. You'll find our registration desk outside of Exhibit Hall B in the convention center. Please note: Registration is cashless. You must register for USITT25 online as on-site registrations will not be available. Our registration area is for badge pick-up only! Click the icons below for more information on how to pick up your badge and find the registration desk!

Registration Hours

Wednesday, March 5: 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Thursday, March 6: 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Friday, March 7: 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Saturday, March 8: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Reminder: You will need your badge to access ALL parts of our Conference & Stage Expo! If you have registered for a Professional Development Workshop (PDW), you MUST go to registration first and get your badge before you head to your PDW.

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Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi is available at the convention center for anyone registered for USITT25.
SSID: USITTAttendee
PW: PLE2025!

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USITT25 Conference App

The USITT25 Conference App is your hub for building your schedule, accessing maps, rating your sessions, and more!

Download Instructions for Returning App Users:

• Open the app and click START (Apple devices) or ">" (Android devices) in the lower right corner.

• Click the hamburger menu on the bottom right of the menu bar, then click on the events navigation and select and download USITT 2025 Annual Conference & Stage Expo.

• Once loaded, click the middle icon on the bottom menu bar.

• Sign in using the login credentials you received in your USITT25 Registration Confirmation Email.

Download Instructions for New Users:

• Visit the App Store on your device and search "USITT.”

• Download and open the app.

• For Apple devices, click on "Load." For Android devices, click on the right arrow to load the current event.

• Login using the credentials you received in your USITT25 Registration Confirmation Email.

• Once you've logged in, click "Start" on the bottom right corner (Apple) or ">" (Android).

Once the app is downloaded, you can build your schedule, bookmark sessions, bookmark exhibitors you wish to visit at our Stage Expo, view our Expo floor map, and find attendees and speakers. You'll also be able to use the app to complete evaluations for sessions you attend during Conference.

Remember to rate all of your sessions! Your feedback is essential as we work to make our Annual Conference & Stage Expo bigger and better every year!

TIP: Have the "Express Badge Access” QR code open to quickly scan and print your badge when you arrive at Registration.

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Accessibility

Find Your Way

Greater Columbus Convention Center Level 1
Greater Columbus Convention Center Level 2
Stage Expo Map

Education

Schedule
PDWs

Hands-On Labs

This year's hands-on labs are located in Exhibit Halls A & B. Sign up for hands-on labs in the attendee's service center or during registration. Seats are limited, but each lab has additional gallery seating so viewers can learn from the instructors, even if they don't have a seat at the table. Lab hours are as follows:

Stage Expo

Stage Expo Hours:

Thursday, March 6: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. (Stage Expo only hours: 11-12:30 p.m. | Happy Hour: 4:30-5:30 p.m.)
Friday, March 7: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. (Stage Expo only hours: 11-12:30 p.m. | Happy Hour: 4:30-5:30 p.m.)
Saturday, March 8: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. (Stage Expo only hours: 10-11:30 a.m.)

Stage Expo Map
Exhibitor List 

Looking for a Sensory Friendly Expo Opening Experience?
Enter through the Hall D entrance to avoid larger crowds! This entrance is near the North Entrance to the Convention Center, near the As We Are sculpture.

Exclusive Expo Hall Sponsor

Stage Expo Experiences

Click here to view our experiences and events taking place on the Expo floor!

USITT Bookstore Hours

You can find the USITT Bookstore in Exhibit Hall B, right at the front of the Expo Floor! USITT Member-Author books, hats, shirts, stickers, exclusive USITT25 poster designed by Tess Rosen, and more will be available for purchase at our on-site USITT Bookstore! Please note: The USITT Bookstore is cashless. 

Thursday, March 6: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday, March 7: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, March 8: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m

USITT Store Lounge is Sponsored by

Blood Drive

Versiti is hosting a blood drive on the Expo floor in Booth #1133 on Thursday, March 6, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. If you would like to donate blood, please sign up here. Sign-ups are not required but are encouraged.

T3 Tech Challenge

Calling all student technicians, costumers, stage managers, and more! Disney Live Entertainment presents T3, an all-new USITT Tech Challenge. Six events will give four-person teams the opportunity to demonstrate a range of backstage skills. Each team will be invited to compete for qualifying scores early in the week, with top teams competing on stage in an action-packed final round on Friday at our Annual Conference & Stage Expo! Students and teams can register in advance or on-site in Columbus. Check the T3 page here for details!
Presented by

Meet Special Guest Bob Mackie

Fashion designer Bob Mackie, the mind behind numerous Emmy and Tony Award-winning productions, will be in Columbus this March as a USITT25 Special Guest! Check out his schedule here, and get ready to meet him this spring! Attendees with a full Conference Registration are invited to join us for a special screening of the recently released documentary directed by Matthew Miele, Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion! Mr. Mackie himself will be in attendance, and will host a Q&A afterward! The next morning, you'll find him on the Expo Floor signing copies of The Art of Bob Mackie, by Frank Vlastnik and Laura Ross. Don't miss your chance to meet the master himself!

An Evening with Bob Mackie is sponsored by

Attendee Experiences and Special Exhibits

Join us for these select events, and surround yourself with your fellow live entertainment artists and technicians. For more info on all of our All Attendee Events, visit our All Attendee Events page here!

Looking For a Job?

SmartMatch

If you are seeking employment or college admission, you will have the opportunity to be matched with exhibitors who are on the lookout for their newest employees or colleges and universities looking for their next star student. SmartMatch allows you to make appointments with our exhibitors for a one-on-one interview right at USITT25! Click here to learn more.

Career Campus

USITT25's Career Campus is the ultimate hub for resume revamping, headshot updating, and snagging that dream interview with your most sought-after company! Explore what's waiting for you at the USITT25 Career Campus!

Sponsored by

PRIMP

PRIMP is your one-stop-shop for Portfolio Reviews & Interview Materials Prep! During PRIMP, participants get the chance to receive feedback on what they would share at a job interview, as well as the opportunity to network with two others in their field doing the reviewing. Stop by to perfect your interview style and chat with other working professionals about landing the perfect gig. Click here to learn more. 

Resume Doctor

Our Resume Doctors are industry professionals who know a thing or two about what makes a good resume and what will give it that extra oomph to make it stand out amongst the competition. From minor changes to a complete overhaul, our experts are here for you. No need to sign up, simply stop by booth 661A any time Stage Expo is open! Make sure to bring a paper copy of your resume so our Resume Doctors can make notes!

Sponsored by

Free Headshots!

Need to update your professional headshot? Stop by the exclusive headshot booth #769 on our Expo floor to get your free professional headshot!

Sponsored by

 

Need to Decompress?

A sensory relief room is available to all attendees in D183. Please use this room as a quiet and comfortable space to decompress during Conference hours.

Wednesday, March 5: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Thursday, March 6: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Friday, March 7: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

The Vault

The Vault is a safe space initiative providing Transgender, Non-Binary, and Gender non-conforming USITT Members a more comfortable and accessible way to find clothing that fits their professional and stylistic needs. 

The Vault is located in room A225

Wednesday, March 5: 12 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Thursday, March 6: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Friday, March 7: 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

USITT25 Photo Contest: Show Us How You Power Live Entertainment!