Visit Cincy Nears Landmark Moment in $800 Million Convention District Transformation
CINCINNATI, OH — October 2025 — Big things are happening in downtown Cincinnati. Visit Cincy is just months away from unveiling its reimagined Convention Center — a $264 million renovation that anchors the city’s broader $800 million Cincinnati Convention District transformation. The official reopening is set for January 2026, marking a major milestone in Cincy’s emergence as a leading Midwest meetings and events destination.
Cincinnati Convention Center. Courtesy image.
The energy continues across the district with major hotel developments reshaping the city’s skyline. The upcoming 700-room Marriott Headquarters Hotel, announced in September, will open in Spring 2028. The flagship property is expected to strengthen Cincinnati’s appeal for national conventions and boost global recognition among meeting planners and business travelers.
Adding to that momentum, Portman Holdings’ recent acquisition of The Westin expands the district’s hotel portfolio and enhances its group room block capabilities — giving planners a seamless, walkable experience for large-scale events.
Next month brings another highlight: the debut of Elm Street Plaza, a two-acre outdoor space directly connected to the Convention Center. Blending paved event space with green landscapes, this new plaza underscores Cincy’s reputation as a vibrant, accessible city where meetings flow effortlessly between indoor and outdoor experiences.
“By reimagining the Convention Center, adding a new headquarters hotel, and creating vibrant public spaces, we’re setting the stage for a new era of events,” said Julie Calvert, President and CEO of Visit Cincy.
With events already booked through 2030 and beyond, Cincinnati is clearly positioning itself for what Visit Cincy calls the “Future of Meetings.”
For more information, visit VisitCincy.com.
