The City of Cincinnati has selected the world’s venue management
leader, ASM Global [2], to launch and operate the reimagined Duke Energy
Convention Center (DECC), which is undergoing a dramatic $240 million
transformation and is scheduled for a historic unveiling in January
2026.
The popular venue in the heart of downtown Cincinnati, situated within
blocks of top-rated restaurants, bars, professional sports venues and
attractions joins ASM Global’s convention and conference portfolio
— the largest in North America and worldwide.
City Manager Sheryl M.M. Long said, “We are so thrilled to begin a new
chapter for DECC, which will be a truly world-class facility and attract
more events than ever before. The role of the newly renovated DECC in
welcoming visitors, driving economic activity downtown, and showcasing
Cincinnati to the world will be nothing short of extraordinary.”
Dan Hoffend, ASM Global’s executive vice president, convention
centers, said, “We are honored that the City of Cincinnati has
entrusted ASM Global to unveil and share the new DECC with clients the
world over and drive unprecedented growth for the venue. This is a
watershed moment in the history of Cincinnati convention business, and
we are ready for the moment.”
Julie Calvert, president and CEO of Visit Cincy, added, “The
operations and management of the reinvented DECC will be a key part of
our ability to attract new conventions and drive economic impact. ASM
Global’s unmatched experience in this space and network of convention
centers in their portfolio will be a key factor in achieving our
collective goals.”
The DECC will undergo significant updates and renovations to become more
flexible, functional, cutting-edge, and environmentally friendly. The
facility closed July 1, 2024, and will reopen Jan. 1, 2026. When the
modernization is complete, it will house, upgraded meeting space and
ballrooms, an expansive rooftop terrace, as well as major improvements
to building systems and technology, making it more energy efficient.
The development will pour over to a neighboring street, creating a
two-acre park and outdoor convention area convenient for event
activations and relaxing breakouts.
It will be part of a new, elevated convention district that will include
a new convention headquarters hotel to support the travel and
hospitality industry. The hotel is being built on a current surface
parking lot just south of the convention center. The hotel will include
up to 800 rooms, 80,000 square feet of flexible meeting space with
junior and senior ballrooms, 15,000 square feet of retail, a pool, and
outdoor amenity deck.
Before closing for the new construction, the venue’s 750,000 square
footage hosted 63 events in 2024 with more than 292,540 attendees.
At present, there are nearly 3,487 adjacent hotel rooms, over 5,000
nearby parking spaces and more than 100 restaurants.
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About ASM Global
Award-winning ASM Global is the world’s No. 1 development and
full-service venue company focused on client-first approaches for
driving significant financial success. The company’s elite network
spans five continents, featuring a portfolio of more than 400 of the
world’s most prestigious arenas, stadiums, convention/exhibition
centers and performing arts venues.
ASM Global translates its unique visionary ownership experience into
innovative project development, planning, and execution; content
programming; curated guest-immersive experiences; locally tailored
solutions; and optimized revenue streams for our client’s properties
and surrounding communities. Focused on value creation and economic
growth, ASM Global realizes venue business potential to elevate the
profitability and profile of our clients and partners. We cultivate
strong, inclusive relationships with the communities we work and live in
while championing the welfare and development of our employees and
small-business partners, resulting in a more cohesive, resilient, and
vibrant community.
ASM Global’s expertise and commitment extends across existing venue
management, new venue development, and transformative renovation
projects across the most exciting properties in the industry, including
Kai Tak Sports Park (Hong Kong), Caesars Superdome (New Orleans,
Louisiana), The Moscone Center (San Francisco, California), AO Arena
(Manchester, U.K.), The Greek Theatre (Los Angeles, California), Desert
Diamond Arena (Glendale, Arizona) and Fishers Event Center (Fishers,
Indiana).
Follow us on Facebook [3], Instagram [4], LinkedIn [5] and Twitter [6].
asmglobal.com [7]
