Cincinnati
Jewel in the Ohio conference crown gets an $ 800m reset
BIG UPGRADES TO MEETING INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE MIDWEST SET TO TRANSFORM CINCINNATI’ S ATTRACTION FOR PLANNERS
C incinnati is excitedly
preparing for the January 2026 reopening of its flagship Duke Energy Convention Center and the groundbreaking of a new convention headquarters hotel. While the centre has been closed for its $ 264m transformation for more than 12 months, both the venue team and CVB have remained active in the marketplace, connecting with planners and keeping Cincinnati in the spotlight as a destination ready to deliver world-class events.
Indeed, the 2026 Omega Psi Phi Grand Conclave is one such event due in town next year. The wider $ 800m investment around the revitalised convention district, includes a new 700-room Marriott HQ hotel.
Cincinnati’ s central location( within 500 miles of 60 % of the US population), is a strong drawcard for events and good value keeps interest strong.
Entertainment is to be found from the banks of the Ohio River to downtown’ s Fountain Square, to Over the Rhine, giving delegates walkable access to some of the best dining, nightlife, and cultural attractions in the Midwest. The CVB can offer congress organisers a 3,000-room package within a three block radius of the convention centre across a variety of brands and price points.
Air access is good, with Cincinnati / Northern Kentucky International Airport( CVG) serving over 9m passengers annually and offering non-stop services to major global
gateways including London, Paris and Toronto. And a new daily nonstop service to Montreal began in May.
The CVB offers customised incentive packages for qualified events, designed to help offset costs and enhance the attendee experience, with support considered on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the size, scope, and economic impact of the event. Assistance may include financial support, marketing resources, access to civic leaders, and in-kind services, such as help with bid development, venue sourcing, and offsite programming.
Sustainability and legacy Cincinnati’ s hospitality community is committed to helping planners create events that are both impactful and environmentally responsible. Of the major convention centre investment, $ 74m is being used to overhaul key building systems, including electrical, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.
Left: Cincinnati Convention Center – Moody Nolan
The Sharonville Convention Center has also been awarded LEED Silver certification by the US Green Building Council.
Beyond sustainability, Cincinnati offers opportunities for events to leave a legacy in the community. Organisers can partner with local non-profits, workforce development programmes, and cultural organisations to align their events with meaningful causes.
Beyond the convention centre operated by ASM Global, Cincinnati’ s top venues include Sharonville Convention Center, Cincinnati Museum Center, and the Cincinnati Ballet. Opening in September, Mercantile Immersive, is a world-class private event space offering 360 degrees of sound and light.
And if you’ re looking for some extra character in your venue, Cincinnati offers the American Sign Museum’ s neon-lit event space, the historic Music Hall, Rhinegeist Brewery’ s rooftop and taproom, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center’ s riverfront event spaces, and the Cincinnati Art Museum’ s blend of classic architecture and modern galleries. n
Rewarding experience In May 2024, Cincinnati hosted the WorldatWork Total Rewards Conference, which attracted 2,000 professionals from around the globe to exchange ideas on compensation, benefits and workforce development. The conference took place at the Duke Energy Convention Center, with participants staying in nearby hotels. Programming was complemented by off-site events such as a welcome tailgate on Fountain Square and an afterparty at Great American Ball Park. Organisers praised the convenience of Cincinnati’ s compact downtown, its variety of hotel options, and the warm hospitality provided by Visit Cincy’ s on-site information team.
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