Cincinnati marked a milestone in its downtown revitalization Wednesday with the completion of a $264 million renovation of the Cincinnati Convention Center. Officials say the overhaul will boost the city’s appeal as a convention destination and strengthen connections across downtown neighborhoods.

A ribbon-cutting in the center’s first-floor concourse brought together leaders from the City of Cincinnati, Hamilton County, the State of Ohio, 3CDC and Visit Cincy, the region’s convention and tourism bureau.

City Manager Sheryl Long, Hamilton County Board of Commissioners President Stephanie Summerow Dumas and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik highlighted the renovation’s potential to grow tourism, attract larger conventions and stimulate downtown economic activity.

Mayor Aftab Pureval, sworn in for a new term Tuesday, leaned into the moment with the tagline: “New Year. New Sign. New Convention Center.” Welcoming local and national guests, he called the reopening a major step forward for Cincinnati.

“The complete transformation of the Cincinnati Convention Center marks a monumental moment for our city,” Pureval said.

The renovation plan, announced more than two years ago, aimed to make Cincinnati more competitive for major tourism and convention events. The 55-year-old building had not undergone a significant overhaul since 2006.

“It’s really about creating a much better experience for both the meeting planner and the visitor,” Julie Calvert, outgoing president and CEO of Visit Cincy, said in August 2023. “This renovation is going to make us much more competitive for bigger convention business.”

Construction began in July 2024, led by Messer Construction Co., with Triversity Construction and Jostin Construction. Moody Nolan served as architect of record, TVS handled interior design, and Moody Nolan partnered with Hargreaves Jones on the adjacent Elm Street Plaza.

The 18-month project reimagined the 750,000-square-foot facility with a sleek glass façade, upgraded meeting rooms and ballrooms, a new roof and a fully renovated third-floor Queen City Ballroom with a 6,000-square-foot outdoor terrace. The renovation also modernized the building’s systems and technology to better support large events and improve efficiency.

Community-driven public art is a highlight. New works commissioned by ArtWorks, Black Art Speaks, the Art Academy of Cincinnati and AGAR complement the architecture and celebrate the city’s artistic heritage. Several earlier pieces, including the “Wall of Queens,” remain on display. 

According to 3CDC, the nonprofit overseeing the project, the goal is to create a space “where people, ideas and experiences come together.”

On Tuesday, officials unveiled a massive new “Cincinnati” sign on the building’s western facade, a visual landmark meant to draw visitors and signal the city’s renewed focus on its convention economy.

“It’s flexible, energy-efficient, and filled with natural light – and it is designed to serve Cincinnati for decades to come,” said 3CDC Vice President Caitlin Felvus. She described the center as now “a modern, world-class destination for the convention and events industry.”

Major events already booked include the Travel Sports and Boat Show, the Home & Garden Show and the Cavalcade of Customs. Conventions coming in 2026 include the Omega Psi Phi International Leadership Conference, the International Association of Operative Millers Conference and the Snow and Ice Management Association Symposium. 

The Cincinnati Reds will break in the space Jan. 16-17 with the return of RedsFest.

Officials used the ribbon-cutting to emphasize that the convention center is a cornerstone of a larger effort to connect downtown neighborhoods and strengthen the city’s central business corridor.

While recent investment has transformed Over-the-Rhine, Court Street Plaza and The Banks, areas near the convention center have sometimes felt disconnected from the larger downtown experience. The renovation aims to knit these districts together, creating a continuous events and tourism corridor.

The completion of the center is the second milestone in the $800 million-plus Convention District redevelopment. It follows the reveal of Elm Street Plaza, a 2.5-acre outdoor park and event space that links directly to the center’s exhibit hall. Remaining projects include renovating the Convention Center Garage and building a Marriott convention headquarters hotel with accompanying retail and dining.

Growth in the adjoining Fountain District has accelerated as well, particularly in nightlife and dining. Local businesses are contributing to improvements through the Fountain District Community Authority, adding a one-cent fee to every dollar of customer bills to help fund the hotel’s construction.

These investments reinforce the convention center’s role as an anchor, drawing visitors into downtown and bolstering surrounding businesses. Tourism already supports more than 46,000 jobs in Hamilton County, generates $229 million in local taxes and accounts for 25% of local business revenue. 

Officials anticipate those numbers growing as the Convention District attracts larger conventions and more visitors.

“(The Convention Center) opens the door to new possibilities, brings energy and vibrancy to the heart of Cincinnati, and illustrates the power of sustained collaboration among partners who share a bold vision,” Pureval said.

*This article originally appeared in the Movers & Makers Cincinnati