The Dayton Convention Center (DCC) in Ohio, US, managed by ASM Global – the world’s leading producer of entertainment experiences – has begun a $40 million renovation that will serve as an integral part of the downtown economic revitalization.
‘ASM Global’ stated that with last year’s sale of the convention center to the newly formed Montgomery County Convention Facilities Authority (MCCFA), major changes are on the horizon. Built in 1971, the premier event facility in the region will be updated to respond to the evolving customer needs and demands.
Located in downtown Dayton, Ohio, US, the Dayton Convention Center offers 150,000 square feet of meeting space, a 68,000-square-foot exhibit hall, a full-service theater, two ballrooms, and 22 meeting rooms. The facility is owned by the Montgomery County Convention Facilities Authority and is managed by ASM Global.
Los Angeles (US)-based ASM Global is the world’s leading producer of entertainment experiences. It is the global leader in venue and event strategy and management – delivering locally tailored solutions and cutting-edge technologies to achieve maximum results for venue owners. The company’s elite venue network spans five continents, with a portfolio of more than 350 of the world’s most prestigious arenas, stadiums, convention and exhibition centers, and performing arts venues.
Hospitality-focused, progressive and collaborative, welcoming and interactive, the Montgomery County Convention Facilities Authority (the Authority) was formed in 2019 and is a unique Government body that assumed ownership of the Dayton Convention Center on April 1st, 2021, with a mission to restore/revitalize the heartbeat of its hospitality community.
‘ASM Global’ further stated that the Dayton Convention Center will serve as one of the main drivers for the downtown Dayton renaissance. In addition to mixed-use facilities, residential inventory, restaurants, and entertainment coming online, Dayton will now have the benefit of a brand-new convention center to create a sense of place and enhance civic pride.
The Dayton Convention Center project highlights include:
- Redesign of the 68,000-square-foot exhibit hall to include 18,000 square feet of flex space that will serve as a state-of-the-art ballroom;
- A new outdoor terrace overlooking the public green space for a City block;
- Upgraded heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system;
- Enhanced LED lighting in all public spaces; and
- $1.3 million telescopic seating system boasting more than 1,300 seats.
Said Jacquelyn Powell, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Dayton Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB), “With the additional hotel inventory coming online in 2022 and 2023, the renovation of the Dayton Convention Center will solidify Dayton’s place on the map for meeting and event planners in the region.”
The Dayton Convention Center offers a convenient overnight package with the 287-room Radisson Hotel connected to the facility via a pedestrian walkway, and ample parking to the Dayton Convention Center is connected as well. The downtown area currently offers a total of 981 hotel rooms and will be welcoming additional accommodations in the near future.
The hotels in the pipeline for the downtown Dayton area include:
- Hotel Ardent, a Hilton Tapestry Hotel, with 118 rooms opens in December 2022 (four-block walk);
- AC Hotel by Marriott with 134 rooms opens in Q1 2023 (four-block walk);
- Boutique Hotel by Windsor Companies with 90-120 rooms with opening TBD (1.5-block walk); and
- Hilton Garden Inn in the Arcade with 91 rooms with opening TBD (1.5-block walk).
Commented Kelli Donahoe, CMP, Dayton Convention Center General Manager, “It’s an exciting time to be in Dayton. We are on the cusp of a monumental movement here in downtown, and the DCC is an integral part of this economic revitalization. In addition to the heartfelt hospitality the DCC team delivers, meeting and event planners can expect a full building update. We expect the construction to conclude in the late Summer or early Fall of 2024, and we will remain open to host events throughout the project.”
Donahoe was brought on board to lead the charge in April 2021 when the MCCFA hired ASM Global to oversee the day-to-day operations of the venue.
In 2022, the Dayton Convention Center is forecasted to host 98 events, which includes regional conferences, cheer and dance competitions, fundraising galas, and comedy shows. The Dayton Convention Center will soon host a movie series in its 672-seat theater, which is located on the third level of the facility. In 2023, the Dayton Convention Center will host approximately 120 events and will welcome back Wright Dialogue with Industry with more than 900 attendees who will gather to focus on the Air Force Research Laboratory Science and Technology.
The other returning events will include American Legion Department of Ohio, Laser Institute Conference and the Dayton Auto Show, to name a few. A complete list of upcoming events can be found on DCC’s event calendar.
In April 2023, the Dayton Convention Center will welcome Winter Guard International (WGI) – Sports of the Arts, the world’s premier organization producing indoor color guard, percussion and winds competitions. WGI brings in approximately 16,000 competitors and an estimated 55,000 spectators to the Dayton region over a two-week period. The WGI is headquartered in Dayton, and the City is lucky to serve as the competition site for the World Championships, which generates more than $20 million in economic impact for the region.
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