CINCINNATI (WXIX) — The long-awaited Duke Energy Convention Center project is expected to be completed a bit sooner than the original timeline.
Originally scheduled for January 2026, Cincinnati tourism officials say the state-of-the-art convention center could be completed by December 2025.
The $240 million renovation project will include a major facelift to the entire building with modernized meeting spaces, technology, a rooftop terrace and the new Elm Street Plaza. The project also calls for an 800-room hotel that will sit adjacent to the convention center.
As construction continues downtown, major events normally held at the Duke Energy Convention Center moved to the newly expanded Sharonville Convention Center. The Wendy’s Bridal Show and the Greater Cincinnati Holiday Market are just a few of the larger events that moved north of the city.
“The fortuitous part is the fact that when the Duke Energy Center closed down, this was just reopening, and it provides 40,000 new square feet of space to hold events that previously were held at the Duke Energy Convention Center. So many of the conventions, certainly a lot of the community events that we held downtown, relocated up here in Sharonville,” said Visit Cincy President and CEO Julie Calvert.
The Duke Energy Convention Center temporarily closing for 18 months surprisingly had its perks. Calvert explained that the temporary closing opened many peoples’ eyes to a whole new convention district.
“Now people have choices and there’s opportunity, and so, you know, that’s all good for dollars in Hamilton County and all the businesses around this convention center as we wait for the reopening of the Duke Energy Convention Center…” she explained.
As CEO of a tourism company, one of Calvert’s primary jobs is to get people to visit Cincinnati.
Visit Cincy held its annual meeting Wednesday to discuss the economic impact tourism has had on the region.
According to a study by Tourism Economics, visitors spend $4.4 billion annually in Hamilton County. With Northern Kentucky added into that mix, it is about $6.5 billion annually.
The study also indicates that visitor spending in Hamilton County contributed to $229 million in local taxes.
“There have never been more eyeballs on the City of Cincinnati and what we’re doing here in terms of our venues, our partnerships, our tourism opportunities, and that’s really special for a community like Cincinnati.”
Several major events are coming to the Queen City in 2025 including America’s River Roots, a music and heritage festival that reminds Cincinnati of the popular Tall Stacks festival, the annual Reds Opening Day, the Cincinnati Music Festival and the Flying Pig Marathon.
“The momentum that this region is experiencing right now is absolutely unprecedented,” Calvert said. “From the new developments through the convention center districts – both downtown and here, in Sharonville – certainly the excitement around Sundance that’s coming, we talked about perhaps the specter of a new arena… there’s just so many developments that are happening that are creating the future of Cincinnati…”
A new arena is still a contentious topic as some business owners are against it, while some stakeholders think it is necessary to put Cincinnati more on the map.
Additionally, a new Duke Energy Convention Center would be key for the 2027 Sundance Film Festival if Cincinnati is selected. The other finalists in the running include Boulder, Colorado and Salt Lake City/Park City, Utah. That decision will be made in the spring.
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