CINCINNATI, OH (For Immediate Release) – The highly anticipated $240
million transformation of the Cincinnati Convention Center got underway
July 16, as state, county, city and tourism leaders heralded the
project and the impact it will have on the future convention district
and the regional economy.
The new state-of-the-art Duke Energy Convention Center (DECC) will
feature a dramatic new façade, and the exhibition hall will flow into
an outdoor plaza, connected to a programmable park space, the new Elm
Street Plaza.
Additional key highlights of the project include:
* Outdoor event areas: Creating unique opportunities for open-air
meetings and events.
* Energy-efficient exhibit and meeting spaces: Incorporating the latest
in sustainable technology to reduce environmental impact and operating
costs.
* Revitalized ballrooms: Offering elegant and flexible spaces for a
variety of events.
* A sunlit pre-function area: Providing a welcoming and vibrant space
for attendees to gather and network.
* A stunning rooftop terrace: Offering sweeping views of the city and a
premier space for special events.
(L-R) Meeka Owens, Cincinnati City Council member, Julie Calvert,
President and CEO of Visit Cincy, Sheryl Long, Cincinnati City Manager,
Ohio State Senator Louis Blessing III, Denise Driehaus, Hamilton County
Commissioner, Jeff Berding, Visit Cincy Board Vice Chairperson, Ohio
State Senator Catherine Ingram, Lydia Mihalik, Director of the Ohio
Department of Development, Stephanie Summerow Dumas, Hamilton County
Commissioner, and Katie Westbrook, 3CDC Vice President of Development.
The project is expected to be completed by December 2025, with bookings
already underway for 2026 and beyond.
In addition to the new DECC and Elm Street Plaza, the reimagined
downtown Cincinnati Convention District project will also include the
subsequent construction of a planned 800-room, best-in-class convention
headquarters hotel to support the travel and hospitality industries is
another critical piece of the district’s overall revitalization plan.
“A study conducted by Convention Sports and Leisure shows when the new
convention center and hotel are complete, there will be $48 million in
new business – on top of the strong business Cincinnati already has. It
represents a decisive and consistent return on this critical community
investment,” said Julie Calvert, President and CEO of Visit Cincy.
“A healthy convention district and more convention business means local
businesses, restaurants, venues, event services, and attractions will
grow,” Calvert continued. “It means that ‘convention season’ can last
year-round. It means we can better compete for, and win business against
our peer cities, in the Midwest and across the country.”
The DECC transformation is part of a broader initiative to revitalize
the downtown area, which will include a new headquarters hotel, new
restaurants, and entertainment venues.
“This building is just one part of the robust vision and strategy to
build out our Downtown, to activate every corner of this center city,”
said Sheryl Long, Cincinnati City Manager. “Not only to attract more
national and international events, but to invite new residents and
corporate partners to spend time Downtown.”
Denise Driehaus, Hamilton County Commissioner added, “It will create
vitality in this part of town because we’re doing it collectively. One
piece doesn’t work or go forward without recognition of what it means
for the other piece.”
Visit Cincy has been actively marketing and selling the new Convention
District to bring growth and greater impact to Cincinnati and the
region. The organization is working every day to capitalize on the
revitalized, new DECC, bringing new visitors and new dollars to the
region, filling restaurants and hotels, and booking attractions.
Click here to download photos of the Construction Kickoff Event. [1]
Click here to download renderings of the new Duke Energy Convention
Center. [2]
About Visit Cincy
Visit Cincy connects the Cincinnati region’s people and experiences with
visitors and meeting attendees from around the world through sales,
marketing, communications, and community-building strategies. The
destination marketing organization is supported by nearly 500 businesses
that join together in making Cincinnati, Hamilton County, and the Cincy
region a world-class destination by offering their services,
attractions, and facilities to visitors, meeting planners, and
convention attendees. For more information, go to VisitCincy.com.
