CINCINNATI (March 25, 2022) – The Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors unveiled a new brand, “Visit Cincy” for the 75-year-old destination marketing organization at its recent Annual Meeting at the Duke Energy Convention Center.
The organization also announced plans to focus on three key growth initiatives in the coming year, including building economic impact, embedding diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the organization and in the industry and expanding the regional collaboration with meetNKY.
The new brand, “Visit Cincy,” offers the opportunity for regional marketing opportunities in partnership with meetNKY to reach key markets for tourism, convention and meeting business.
“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.”
Steve Leeper, President & CEO of the non-profit development organization Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation, known as 3CDC, addressed the audience about the scope of the district in downtown Cincinnati. In January, 3CDC was chosen by Cincinnati City Council and Hamilton County to quarterback the project.
As of this month, the previous headquarter hotel, the Millennium Cincinnati, has been razed, and Leeper discussed next steps for the project. Currently, 3CDC is completing an updated market study for the convention district. Once completed, 3CDC will issue an RFP for a new convention center hotel.
In addition to 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 the Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau made presentations at the Annual Meeting.
“We have so much to offer here already—arts, culture, food, sports, business,” said Berding. “Marquee events and larger conventions are ready to come to Cincinnati. Leisure travelers already are.”
“When the CVB is strong, our regional economy is strong,” said Dumas. “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.”