Duke Energy Convention Center

Cincinnati Convention Center
The building entrance in 2025
Interactive map of Cincinnati Convention Center
Address	525 Elm Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Coordinates	39°06′05″N84°31′03″W / 39.101314°N 84.517495°W / 39.101314; -84.517495
Owner	City of Cincinnati
Operator	Legends Global
Opened	1967
Expanded	1984, 2006
Construction cost	$10.0 million [1] ($94.3 million in 2024 dollars [2] )
Former names	Convention-Exposition Center (1968–1985) Albert B. Sabin Convention and Exposition Center (1985–2006)
Enclosed space
• Total space	750,000 sq ft (70,000 m2)
• Exhibit hall floor	195,320 sq ft (18,146 m2)
• Breakout/meeting	44,341 sq ft (4,119.4 m2)
• Ballroom	56,511 sq ft (5,250.0 m2)
Public transit access	Connector Metro Red Bike
Website
https://cincyconventions.com/

The Cincinnati Convention Center is a convention center located in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, covering two city blocks bounded by Elm Street, 5th Street, 6th Street, and Central Avenue.

History

The convention center opened in 1967 as the Convention-Exposition Center.

It was renamed the Albert B. Sabin Convention and Exposition Center on November 14, 1985, amid national criticism that Second Street had been named after Pete Rose instead of the pioneering medical researcher. ^{[3] [4] [5]}

The convention was renovated and expanded in 2006. ^[6]

In 2020, the center was designed for use as a field hospital along with other similar facilities nationwide to house patients during the COVID-19 pandemic in the event that area hospitals reach capacity.^{[ citation needed ]}

The building exterior in 2019

2020s renovation

In 2022, planning began for a $200 million renovation to the convention center, which would include a new exterior facade, upgrades to exhibit spaces and technology, a new convention center hotel, and new green space. Funding for the project included $30 million from the city of Cincinnati, $15 million and a hotel tax increase from Hamilton County, and $46 million from the Ohio Department of Development. ^[7] The plans were finalized in 2024, and the center closed to begin work on July 1. ^[8]

The first segment of the project to be completed was Elm Street Plaza, which opened on November 21, 2025. Elm Street, which runs along the eastern edge of the convention center, was closed to cars between Fifth and Sixth Streets. A formerly-vacant lot across Elm Street from the convention center was converted into gardens and green space with a temporary ice rink during winter and a permanent bar. ^[9]

Construction on the convention center was completed at a reported cost of $264 million, and a grand opening ceremony was held on January 7, 2026. The first event in the remodeled space was Redsfest, a Cincinnati Reds fan event held the following weekend. ^[10]

During construction, it was announced that the city would buy out the remaining six years of Duke Energy's naming rights deal for $1.6 million. The center reopened temporarily under the name Cincinnati Convention Center; an event to announce the new name is scheduled for February 9, 2026. ^[11]

The new convention center hotel, to be located immediately south of the center and connected via a skyway, is under construction; as of June 2025, ^[update] it is expected to be completed by 2028. ^[12]

Operations

Venue management company, Legends Global, oversees day-to-day operations of the 750,000-square-foot (70,000 m²) facility. ^{[13] [14]}

Annual events

• RedsFest, a fan event for the Cincinnati Reds
• Cincinnati Winter Beer Fest
• Cincinnati Auto Expo
• Cincinnati Home and Garden Show

Notable events

Exhibition hall during Cincinnati Comic Expo 2023

The Duke Energy Center played host to the 2012 World Choir Games when it hosted the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as the awards ceremonies of the games. ^[15]

In July 2015, the convention center hosted the 2015 MLB All-Star Fan Fest.

The DECC was host to the 1977 National Rifle Association (NRA) annual convention, at which the Revolt at Cincinnati resulted in the election of Harlon Carter as the leader of the NRA, and a change in emphasis for the organization, away from hunting, conservation, and marksmanship and toward an uncompromising defense of the personal ownership of firearms for self-defense.

See also

• List of convention centers in the United States

References

1. "History of the Convention Center". Duke Energy Convention Center. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
2. 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–" . Retrieved February 29, 2024.
3. Bonfield, Tim (July 5, 1999). "Sabin has been snubbed before". The Cincinnati Enquirer . Gannett Company . Retrieved October 11, 2015.
4. "On the Cincinnati Streets, It's Rose 1, Sabin 0". The New York Times . September 29, 1985. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
5. "Cincinnati Center Is Named for Polio Vaccine Developer". The New York Times. November 17, 1985. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
6. "Queen City Tour: 102. Dr. Albert B. Sabin Cincinnati Convention Center". April 2, 2011.
7. Wartman, Scott; Coolidge, Sharon (March 6, 2024). "Cincinnati's Duke Energy Convention Center renovation: What to know". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
8. Vilines, Jordan (July 2, 2024). "Duke Energy Convention Center closed as $240 million renovation begins". Fox 19. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
9. Wetterich, Chris (November 23, 2025). "New Downtown Cincinnati plaza fronting convention center debuts". Local 12. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
10. Franklin, Sydney; Tucker, Randy (January 7, 2026). "Just in time for Redsfest, remodeled convention center opens". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
11. Tucker, Sydney Franklin and Randy (February 6, 2026). "Cincinnati's convention center's new name to be revealed Monday". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
12. Tucker, Randy (June 18, 2025). "New downtown Cincinnati convention hotel to feature skybridge, event terrace. Take a look". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
13. "Contact Us". Duke Energy Convention Center. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
14. "Venues". Oak View Group. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
15. "2012 World Choir Games". Interkultur Foundation. Retrieved June 5, 2018.

External links

• Media related to Duke Energy Convention Center at Wikimedia Commons
• Official website