Trade Show News

Marriott is seeking a Hotel Managing Director to oversee the pre-opening and launch of the new 700-room Marriott Cincinnati Convention Center Hotel, slated to open in January 2029. This dual-property role also includes leading a $40 million renovation of The Westin Cincinnati, a 456-room downtown hotel. The new Marriott hotel is positioned as a flagship convention headquarters hotel for the Midwest.

Plans are progressing for a new Marriott-flagged convention headquarters hotel in downtown Cincinnati, with construction slated to begin in 2026. This project, developed by Portman alongside the modernized convention center, is considered a crucial piece for Cincinnati's convention district. The hotel will reshape downtown room supply and boost the city's appeal for events.

The U.S. MICE market is projected to enter a high-tech expansion phase from 2026-2031, with steady growth expected. Cincinnati-based company Fern, a 112-year-old firm, plays a significant role in building exhibits and infrastructure for numerous events.

A developer is planning a $55 million hotel project within a historic building in Downtown Cincinnati. This news comes amidst other significant hospitality developments in the city, including the ongoing renovation of the Duke Energy Convention Center, now known as the First Financial Center.

The Hyatt Regency Cincinnati emphasizes its prime location near the newly renovated First Financial Convention Center and the transforming Convention District. The hotel serves as a convenient base for business and leisure travelers, benefiting from the area's enhanced event spaces and amenities like Elm Street Plaza.

Visit Cincy has expanded its team by adding Katie Clark as sales and services manager and Kevin Kraft as sales manager. Clark will focus on growing small meetings business, while Kraft will lead SMERF (Social, Military, Educational, Religious, and Fraternal) sales efforts, aiming to attract more group events to the Cincy Region.

PRINTING United Alliance announced its 2026–2027 Board of Directors, including Roger Chamberlain from The Cincinnati Insurance Company as First Vice Chair. The Alliance's board represents various segments of the printing ecosystem, including exhibits and displays.

The 2026 Greater Cincinnati Stars of the Industry Luncheon, hosted by the Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association, took place at the First Financial Convention Center. The event recognized exceptional individuals in Ohio's hospitality industry and provided valuable networking opportunities for attendees.

The IAEE Mid-South Chapter hosted its Signature Event on July 15-16, 2026, at Belterra Resort outside Cincinnati. The event offered opportunities to learn about the state of the trade show industry, show organizer-supplier partnerships, and earn CEM credits, alongside networking and CPR training.

The Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association will host its 2026 Greater Cincinnati Stars of the Industry Luncheon on September 22, 2026, at the First Financial Convention Center. This event recognizes exceptional professionals and fosters networking within Ohio's hospitality industry.

Dodd Camera will host a Used Buying & Trade-in Event at The Cincinnati Savings Expo on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Dodd Camera Cincinnati.

The Franchise Expo Cincinnati is scheduled for October 23-24 at the First Financial Center, anticipating 1,500 potential franchise owners. This exhibition, organized by MFV Expositions and Comexposium, is the only Midwestern franchise show they will host this year and will feature workshops and educational presentations.

The Cincinnati Comic Expo, a multi-day comic book and pop-culture convention, is scheduled for September 25-27, 2026, at the Duke Energy Convention Center in downtown Cincinnati. The event brings together comic creators, publishers, celebrity guests, exhibitors, and artists for panels, signings, and an artist alley.

MFV Expositions and Comexposium will host Franchise Expo Cincinnati on October 23-24 at the city's First Financial Center. This two-day event is expected to welcome over 1,500 potential franchise owners, offering networking opportunities with 80+ exhibitors and more than a dozen workshops and seminars. Ohio and the Midwest are seen as having major potential for franchise growth.

The 2026 Business Enterprise Expo, organized by the City of Cincinnati Department of Economic Inclusion & Procurement, will take place on October 29, 2026, at the First Financial Center. The expo aims to connect and mobilize businesses throughout the region, offering workshops and networking opportunities.

The Northern Kentucky Convention Center is undergoing renovation and expansion, with an anticipated hotel companion project. This development is part of a larger effort to revitalize the Covington Central Riverfront, including the redevelopment of the former IRS site into a mixed-use neighborhood. The project aims to enhance the region's appeal for conventions and events.

The Northern Kentucky Convention Center is slated for a renovation and expansion, with an anticipated hotel companion project also in the works. This development is part of a broader half-billion-dollar private investment in the City of Covington.

The Northern Kentucky Convention Center is undergoing a renovation and expansion, with an anticipated hotel companion project also planned. This development is part of a larger half-billion-dollar private investment in Covington, which is expected to boost the region's business climate. The expansion will increase the building footprint from 65,000 to approximately 95,000 square feet.

The Covington Business Council highlighted the ongoing renovation and expansion of the Northern Kentucky Convention Center, which includes an anticipated hotel companion project. This development is part of a broader half-billion-dollar private investment in Covington.

The Northern Kentucky Convention Center is set for renovation and expansion, with an anticipated hotel companion project. This development is part of a broader half-billion-dollar private investment in Covington, impacting the greater Cincinnati area's convention capabilities.