Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1541144
B M & T ••• November/December 2025 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 29 The menu offered small plates, ceviches, paella, charcuterie, and when the shrimp ceviche arrived, its citrus kick was fierce and bright. I paired it with a crisp hibiscus rum cocktail and found a balance in every bite. The plantain chips with fresh salsa stole the moment though: the texture, the spice, the contrast. The plantain chips with house salsa had just the right weight and crunch. The cocktails were thoughtfully composed, one with hibiscus, another with aged rum, that lingered like good conversation. I experienced old world comfort sur- rounded by murals by Cincinnati artists covering the walls. Live jazz played softly in the background, and service felt personal. And I realized this space didn't just serve food, it served people. Beyond flavor, Mita's impressed me with its mission. Mita's, named after Chef José Salazar's grandmother, has partnered with relief organizations to feed displaced restau- rant workers and support local economic recovery. This mission struck me more than the menu. NETHERLAND PLAZA: GRANDEUR THAT STILL FUNCTIONS Walking into Hilton Netherland Plaza felt like stepping into the 1930s with modern backbone. This Art Deco landmark opened in 1931. It is part of the Carew Tower Netherland Plaza complex. Its entry lobby has frescoes, ornate metalworks, and a Palm Court whose original decor, French inspired moldings, Rookwood tile, sculpted reliefs, still holds presence. The hotel has 31 stories and maintains around 561 rooms. Recent renovations have restored guest rooms, upgraded safety systems, and reaccented those metal grilles and murals. Being beside Fountain Square, the loca- tion gives groups both grandeur and conven- ience. You can host a gala in mirrored ball- rooms, then walk to nearby venues without relying on vehicles. For attendees nostalgic for elegance and planners needing well locat- ed capacity, Netherland Plaza is a strong asset. SHARONVILLE CONVENTION CENTER: FLEXIBLE AND COST-EFFICIENT Just outside the downtown core, I toured the newly expanded Sharonville Convent- ion Center. With 40,000 square feet of fresh exhibit space, five breakout rooms, a 14,000- square-foot ballroom, and updated loading areas, it felt like a turnkey option for groups that need scale without urban price tags. It's accessible from downtown in under 25 minutes, right off I-75. For planners who are cost-conscious but don't want to sacrifice quality or service, Sharonville makes a strong case. THE DETAILS THAT CLOSE THE DEAL Cincinnati's venues didn't just show up. They showed out. Ghost Baby transformed a 19th-century lagering tunnel into a velvet- lined cocktail lounge. Maplewood's lemon ricotta pancakes were light but unforgettable. The American Sign Museum was electric in every sense. And our walk across , the prototype for New York's Brooklyn Bridge, was a reminder that Cincinnati's roots in engineering and inno- vation run deep. Each stop felt curated not just for us, but for the groups we represent. CLOSING A City in Motion, Not Waiting for Permission Cincinnati is not trying to be something it's not. It's simply betting on what it already is: accessible, historic, walkable, and ready for a future-forward meetings industry. Cincinnati isn't chasing attention. It's offering answers. For planners seeking location, scale, walkability, and true collab- oration, this is a destination worth consid- ering, and a product that's already in motion. WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Visit Cincy: visitcincy.com | @visit_cincy Duke Energy Convention Center: duke-energy- center.com National Underground Railroad Freedom Center: freedomcenter.org Cincinnati Convention Center photo credit: Moody Nolan