The Worthington Partnership delivered its annual report to City Council on November 10, highlighting record-breaking farmers market attendance and expanded sustainability programs. The presentation also marked outgoing Executive Director Annina Parini's final budget presentation after ten years leading the organization through significant growth.
A Decade of Leadership Comes to a Close
Parini, now one week into her new role at the Worthington Area Chamber of Commerce, was joined by staff members Beth Dekker and Chelsea Kayse, along with several board members. The Partnership's 2026 grant request includes the 3% cost-of-living adjustment that city staff advised community grant recipients to incorporate.
"This organization has grown leaps and bounds in the 10 years that I've been here," Parini told Council. "It's time for new leadership."
The Partnership operates through three main programs: the Worthington Farmers Market, Experience Worthington (tourism and marketing), and the Green Team (sustainability initiatives).
Farmers Market Breaks All Records
The year-round Worthington Farmers Market—which takes only about three weeks off annually—shattered attendance records throughout 2025. Regular Saturday attendance topped 9,900 visitors, while Arts Festival weekend drew over 11,000.
The market hosts 109 individual vendors each week. "We are putting on a major festival every single week," Parini noted, describing the Partnership as an incubator for these small business owners.
The market again received recognition in USA Today's Reader's Choice awards and now features the most culturally diverse vendor lineup in its history, with 10 new cultures represented this season. Farmers Market Manager Chelsea Kayse has focused on ensuring vendors reflect all of Central Ohio.
The Partnership also held its second annual Market to Table dinner at Griswold Town Hall, featuring a five-course meal with 95% of ingredients sourced from market vendors. The event was so successful that staff plans to offer it twice yearly going forward—in spring and fall.
Stay connected to what's happening in your city.
Visitors Drive Economic Impact
Data from the Partnership shows that 55% of attendees at events, festivals, and the farmers market come from outside Worthington. Separate surveys conducted at the farmers market found that over 60% of guests live outside the 43085 zip code.
"We could not survive on residents alone," Parini emphasized. "Those visitors need to come and patronize our restaurants and our businesses."
Tourism on a Tight Budget
Beth Dekker leads Experience Worthington, serving as the city's marketing arm for tourism. Recent efforts included an influencer event at the Holidays on High kickoff, where about 20 regional influencers received food from local restaurants and created promotional content.
Worthington is now included in the Columbus Outdoor Trails Pass for the 2025-26 season through a collaboration with Experience Columbus. Dekker also serves as past president of CATA (Capital Area Tourism Alliance).
Parini highlighted a key funding challenge: without significant hotels, Worthington lacks the bed tax revenue that funds tourism promotion in neighboring communities. "Dublin has millions of dollars to promote tourism. Westerville has hundreds of thousands of dollars to promote tourism. We're doing it on about $70,000," she said.
A council member noted that future hotel development in Worthington could help expand this budget.
Green Team Expands Sustainability Efforts
The Partnership's Green Team continues to fill service gaps for residents. Recent accomplishments include:
- Securing over $25,000 in SWACO grants for a reuse project
- Partnering with 25 market and Worthington businesses on reuse programs for glasses, bottles, and coffee cups
- Hosting two styrofoam drop-off days that each filled two 26-foot U-Hauls—a service the city doesn't otherwise provide
- Organizing two end-of-life clothing collection events for items too worn for traditional donation
- Publishing monthly sustainability articles in the Worthington Spotlight
"Through your investment, we really do provide the sustainability arm for the city of Worthington," Parini said.
Holiday Events on the Calendar
Residents can look forward to several upcoming Partnership events:
- Holiday Open House: Saturday, November 30, noon to 5 p.m., leading into the city tree lighting ceremony
- Illuminated Shopping: First Wednesday in December
- Worthington's Wonderful Windows: features decorated storefront displays throughout downtown, with four dedicated photo spots that include Dewey's Pizza, the Old Worthington Inn patio, a "Candy Cane Lane" illuminated walkway in the alley (between Old Bag of Nails and Oasis Face Bar), and a Gingerbread House display near Howard Hanna.
The Partnership also organized the Art Walk for the fourth year, a collaboration with the Worthington Historical Society and McConnell Arts Center that showcases historic pieces and local artists.
Looking Ahead
The incoming executive director will focus on launching a direct fundraising campaign, implementing a public compost program, and hosting community listening sessions. The board hopes to have the new leader in place soon.
Council President Rachael Dorothy praised the Partnership's work creating gathering spaces downtown where residents meet neighbors and vendors. "It makes Worthington seem magical," she said.
The Partnership is requesting the standard 3% increase in grant funding for 2026, consistent with the city's proposal to all grant-funded community organizations.