Cincinnati USA Convention and Visitors Bureau Renames Itself Visit Cincy
April 5, 2022
At its Annual Meeting at the Duke Energy Convention Center on March 25, the Cincinnati USA Convention and Visitors Bureau unveiled a new brand identity and announced several key growth initiatives to an audience of 400 business professionals, civic leaders and members of the regional hospitality industry.
The 75-year-old destination marketing organization’s new name is “Visit Cincy,” created to better align with the CVB’s sales and marketing efforts, as well as its regional collaboration with meetNKY, the Northern Kentucky Convention and Visitors Bureau, to reach key markets for tourism, convention and meeting business, according to CVB officials.
“The Visit Cincy brand will be an exciting catalyst to rally our regional partners and meet new growth opportunities,” said Julie Calvert, president and CEO of Visit Cincy. “Visit Cincy is more than a name, it’s an invitation that conveys our mission and a call to action.”
The three key growth initiatives Visit Cincy will be zeroing in on in 2022 include building economic impact; embedding diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the organization and in the industry; and expanding its partnership with meetNKY, said CVB officials at the meeting.
Featured speaker Steve Leeper, president and CEO of the non-profit development organization Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation (3CDC), addressed the audience about the scope of the new convention district being planned for downtown Cincinnati. In January, 3CDC was chosen by the Cincinnati City Council and Hamilton County to lead the project, which includes redeveloping the convention center and surrounding properties and a new adjacent hotel.
Leeper went on to discuss the next steps for the project, which includes the recent razing of the previous headquarter hotel, the Millennium Cincinnati. He said 3CDC is currently completing an updated market study for the convention district and once completed, will issue an RFP for a new convention center hotel.
Along with Calvert and Leeper, Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval; Hamilton County Commission President Stephanie Summerow Dumas and Jeff Berding, co-CEO of FC Cincinnati and Board Chairman of Visit Cincy, made presentations at the Annual Meeting.
“[Cincinnati has] so much to offer here already—arts, culture, food, sports, business,” Berding said. “Marquee events and larger conventions are ready to come to Cincinnati. Leisure travelers already are.”
In total, the CVB has booked definite future hotel rooms at 101 percent of its 2021 goal, representing $105 million dollars in room nights booked, while tentative room nights are booked at 107 percent of the goal. Momentum for 2022 surged in February during the Super Bowl, when downtown hotels saw a 77 percent occupancy rate during what is a typically slower time for tourism in Cincinnati, according to Visit Cincy officials.
“When the CVB is strong, our regional economy is strong,” Dumas said. “When the CVB is strong, Hamilton County is strong. And when Hamilton County is strong, we have a powerful platform to improve economic empowerment, improve access to opportunity and improve the quality of life for all of our residents.”
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Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact
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