Visit Cincy has announced that the $240 million transformation of the Cincinnati Convention Center has begun. The new Duke Energy Convention Center (DECC) will receive a new façade, and the exhibition hall will flow into an outdoor plaza, connected to a programmable park space, the new Elm Street Plaza. Highlights of the project include:
- Outdoor event areas, creating 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 flexible spaces for a variety of events
- A sunlit pre-function area for attendees
- A rooftop terrace for events, affording views of the city
The project is expected to be completed by December 2025, with bookings already underway for 2026 and beyond.
Besides the new DECC and Elm Street Plaza, the Cincinnati Convention District project will also include the subsequent construction of a planned 800-room convention headquarters hotel to support the travel and hospitality industries. “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 also include new restaurants, entertainment venues, and more.
For more information, visit www.visitcincy.com.
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