Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1541144
26 B M & T ••• November/December 2025 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com C incinnati executes for planners who expect readiness, access, and ROI. With new invest- ments exceeding half a billion dollars, a con- vention center built to modern specs, and a meetings district already booking through 2030, the city has recalibrated its relevance and reclaimed its seat at the national table. It is common to see cities attempt a comeback quietly, with incremental promis- es. Cincinnati does not follow that blueprint. It is rebuilding itself from bold first princi- ples, investing in its infrastructure, redefining its identity, and making clear what it expects to become. This city is playing the long game. I arrived in the Queen City for a curated trade FAM tour hosted by Visit Cincy and ASM Global alongside an impressive cohort of fellow national journalists. The mission was clear: to reintroduce Cincinnati as a formidable meetings and conventions hub. But what unfolded over three intense days was more than a media tour, it was a case study in urban reinvention. From groundbreaking investments in infra- structure to immersive cultural program- ming, this city isn't asking to be put back on the map. It's building its own. The itinerary was stacked with surprises. The result? Cincinnati isn't pitching poten- tial. It's delivering product. THE CONVENTION CENTER THAT MATCHES ITS MOMENT There's nothing abstract about what's happening at the Duke Energy Convention Center. A $264 million investment is reengi- neering the building to meet the volume, variety, and velocity of today's meetings. When it reopens in 2026, the space will offer 750,000 gross square feet, including 200,000 square feet of exhibit halls, reimagined ball- rooms, high-capacity support corridors, and floor plans optimized for move-in and break- out. But the build goes beyond layout. Elm Street Plaza and a rooftop terrace allow plan- ners to program fresh-air activations without venue change. A 359.7 kW solar array will generate over 460,000 kWh annually. Inside, LED upgrades and lighting automation reduce waste and increase control. Portman Holdings is answering the hotel question with a new 700-room Marriott Headquarters Hotel. The proper- ty will include more than 62,000 square feet of meeting space, a skyline-level events ter- race, on-site dining, and 15,000 square feet of retail. Slated to open in 2028, it will be con- nected via skywalk. And with bookings stretching into 2030, planners aren't waiting to act. The centerpiece of the city's strategy is the $264 million transformation of the Duke Energy Convention Center. Slated to reopen in 2026, this facility is being rebuilt not just with more square footage, but with a shift in mentality. In the words of Visit Cincy and ASM Global, they're not just reconfiguring rooms—they're rewriting what the Midwest can offer the meetings industry. The revitalized space will feature 750,000 gross square feet including 200,000 square feet of exhibition space, a redesigned Queen City Ballroom, a rooftop terrace, and the reimagined Elm Street Plaza for open-air receptions and wellness activations. Notably, the building's 359.7 kW rooftop solar array will generate enough power in its first year to fuel 42 American homes, underscoring Cincinnati's sustainability pledge with action, not promises. LED lighting upgrades and smart occupancy-based controls complete the high-tech overhaul. THE LOGISTICS WORK Cincinnati's location is a competitive advantage. Cincinnati is drivable for 60 per- C I N C I N N A T I ' S C O N V E N T I O N C O M E B A C K : A C I T Y P L A Y I N G T H E L O N G G A M E BY ZYAN AVRAHAM Headquarters Hotel photo cridit: Courtesy of Portman Holdings