(DAYTON, Ohio – Sept. 22, 2022) — Dayton Convention Center [1]
(DCC), managed by ASM Global [2], has begun a $40 million renovation
that will serve as an integral part of the downtown economic
revitalization. With last year’s sale of the convention center to the
newly formed Montgomery County Convention Facilities Authority (MCCFA),
major changes are on the horizon. Built in 1971, the premier event
facility in the region will be updated to respond to evolving customer
needs and demands.
The DCC will serve as one of the main drivers for the downtown Dayton
renaissance. In addition to mixed-use facilities, residential inventory,
restaurants and entertainment coming online, Dayton will now have the
benefit of a brand-new convention center to create a sense of place and
enhance civic pride.
Dayton Convention Center project highlights include:
* Redesign of the 68,000-square-foot exhibit hall to include 18,000
square feet of flex space that will serve as a state-of-the-art
ballroom.
* A new outdoor terrace overlooking public green space for a city
block.
* Upgraded HVAC system.
* Enhanced LED lighting in all public spaces.
* $1.3 million telescopic seating system boasting more than 1,300
seats.
“With the additional hotel inventory coming online in 2022 and 2023,
the renovation of the Dayton Convention Center will solidify Dayton’s
place on the map for meeting and event planners in the region” said
Jacquelyn Powell, president, and CEO of the Dayton CVB [3]. “The sleek
and modern design is a long-awaited and welcome addition to our
impressive list of meeting and event facilities in Montgomery County.”
DCC offers a convenient overnight package with the 287-room Radisson
Hotel is connected to the facility via a pedestrian walkway, and ample
parking to the DCC is connected as well. The downtown area currently
offers a total of 981 hotel rooms and will be welcoming additional
accommodations in the near future.
Hotels in the pipeline for the downtown Dayton area include:
* Hotel Ardent, a Hilton Tapestry Hotel, with 118 rooms opens in
December 2022 (four-block walk).
* AC Hotel by Marriott with 134 rooms opens in Q1 2023 (four-block
walk).
* Boutique Hotel by Windsor Companies with 90-120 rooms with opening
TBD (1.5-block walk).
* Hilton Garden Inn in the Arcade with 91 rooms with opening TBD
(1.5-block walk).
“It’s an exciting time to be in Dayton,” said Kelli Donahoe, CMP,
DCC general manager, who was brought on board to lead the charge in
April 2021 when MCCFA hired ASM Global to oversee the day-to-day
operations of the venue. “We are on the cusp of a monumental movement
here in downtown, and the DCC is an integral part of this economic
revitalization.
“In addition to the heartfelt hospitality, the DCC team delivers,
meeting and event planners can expect a full building update,” said
Donahoe. “We expect the construction to conclude in the late summer or
early fall of 2024, and we will remain open to host events throughout
the project.”
In 2022 the DCC is forecasted to host 98 events, which include regional
conferences, cheer and dance competitions, fundraising galas, and comedy
shows. The DCC will soon host a movie series in its 672-seat theater,
which is located on the third level of the facility. In 2023 the DCC
will host approximately 120 events and will welcome back Wright Dialogue
with Industry with more than 900 attendees who will gather to focus on
the Air Force Research Laboratory Science and Technology. Other
returning events will include the American Legion Department of Ohio, Laser
Institute Conference, and the Dayton Auto Show, to name a few. A complete
list of upcoming events can be found on DCC’s event calendar [4].
In April 2023 the DCC will welcome Winter Guard International (WGI) –
Sports of the Arts, the world’s premier organization producing indoor
color guard, percussion, and winds competitions. WGI brings in
approximately 16,000 competitors and an estimated 55,000 spectators to
the Dayton Region over a two-week period. WGI is headquartered in
Dayton and the city are lucky to serve as the competition site for the
World Championships, which generate more than $20 million in economic
impact on the region.
