Cincinnati nears the finish line on a brand-new convention center, a flagship Marriott HQ hotel and a two-acre outdoor plaza
The city that quietly built a reputation for its walkable downtown, chef-driven dining scene, and warm Midwestern hospitality is now making an $800 million statement: Cincy means business.
In just three months, Visit Cincy will cut the ribbon on the newly reimagined Duke Energy Convention Center—the $264 million anchor of an ambitious Convention District redevelopment that’s turning the Queen City into a contender for the country’s most planner-friendly urban destination.
“By reimagining the Convention Center, adding a new headquarters hotel, and creating vibrant public spaces, we’re setting the stage for a new era of events,” said Julie Calvert, President and CEO of Visit Cincy. “This is about impact—for our community, our partners, and the visitors we’re eager to welcome.”
A Convention Center Reborn
After an 18-month top-to-bottom renovation, the Duke Energy Convention Center will reopen in January 2026 as what Visit Cincy calls “the crown jewel of the Midwest.”
The reimagined facility will deliver:
200,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space, refreshed and reconfigured for flexibility.
A new grand ballroom—among the largest in the region—with soaring ceilings and skyline views.
Expanded meeting rooms and pre-function areas designed for seamless flow between sessions, exhibits, and networking.
A sleek glass façade and modern interior design, emphasizing natural light, connectivity, and sustainability.
The renovation also reorients the center toward the street, creating a stronger connection with downtown and the new Elm Street Plaza, a 2-acre landscaped outdoor venue directly linked to the exhibit halls.
The Plaza That Changes Everything
For meeting planners, the new Elm Street Plaza may be the most exciting addition of all. Built where a busy city street once ran, the plaza is part park, part programmable event space—perfect for receptions, live entertainment, and brand activations that spill out under the stars.
The blend of paved and green spaces gives planners a built-in outdoor option that’s both elegant and practical—ideal for hybrid networking, wellness programming, or sponsor showcases that demand fresh air and flexibility.
As the industry shifts toward more experiential, wellness-minded events, Cincinnati’s planners-first approach feels right on trend. The district’s new design puts everything—meeting spaces, dining, nightlife, and accommodations—within a short walk of one another, reinforcing Cincy’s long-held reputation as one of America’s most walkable convention cities.
A New Flagship HQ Hotel
Adding to the momentum, the city recently announced that its long-anticipated 700-room Headquarters Hotel will open as a flagship Marriott in Spring 2028, bringing one of hospitality’s most powerful brands—and its global loyalty base—to the heart of the Convention District.
The new Marriott HQ Hotel will be the crown’s next jewel, complementing the Westin Cincinnati, which was recently acquired by Portman Holdings, further expanding and modernizing the district’s room block package.
For meeting planners, that means a more cohesive, convenient experience—one that connects luxury, logistics, and local culture all in a few city blocks.
A Midwest Powerhouse for the Modern Planner
It’s all part of a bold new identity for the city that built America’s first professional baseball team and one of its first skyscrapers. Now, Cincinnati is building something else: a next-generation convention ecosystem where every square foot is designed for engagement.
With conventions already booking through 2030 and beyond, Visit Cincy’s bet on the meetings and events industry isn’t just paying off—it’s setting the tone for what the next decade of destination development looks like.
For planners looking to host a large-scale convention with big-city energy and small-city ease, Cincinnati is making one thing clear: it’s not a hidden gem anymore. It’s a polished one. Learn more about how the Future Meets in Cincy and stay up to date on the latest developments click here.
Any thoughts, opinions, or news? Please share them with me at vince@meetingsevents.com.
Photo Courtesy Visit Cincy
