Venue News: ASM Global, Huntington Place, Visit KC Expand Offerings, Ink Agreements
August 6, 2024
Two major convention centers established and expanded agreements with service providers while a Midwestern destination previewed its expanded outdoor offerings for meeting and convention groups alike.
ASM Global Tapped to Operate Reimagined Duke Energy Convention Center, Extended Its Contract to Manage Detroit’s Huntington Place
Full-service venue management company ASM Global has been awarded the contract by the City of Cincinnati to launch and operate the reimagined Duke Energy Convention Center (DECC), which recently closed its doors for renovation on July 1.
Currently undergoing a $240 million transformation that is scheduled to be unveiled Jan. 1, 2026, the downtown venue now joins ASM Global’s robust and steadily growing convention and conference portfolio of more than 300 venues. Leading convention centers operated by the global company include Pittsburgh’s David L. Lawrence Convention Center; Los Angeles Convention Center; Hawai’i Convention Center; and the Colorado Convention Center in Denver.
“We are honored that the City of Cincinnati has entrusted ASM Global to unveil and share the new DECC with clients the world over and drive unprecedented growth for the venue,” said ASM Global Executive Vice President, Convention Centers Dan Hoffend. “This is a watershed moment in the history of Cincinnati convention business, and we are ready for the moment.”
Undergoing significant updates and renovations to become more modern, flexible, functional, and environmentally friendly, the completed facility will feature upgraded meeting space and ballrooms, an expansive rooftop terrace, and major improvements to building systems and technology to make it more energy efficient.
The development will pour over to a neighboring street, creating a two-acre park and outdoor convention area for event activations and breakouts.
The upgraded facility will be part of a new, elevated convention district that will include a new convention headquarters hotel, which is being built on a current surface parking lot south of the convention center. The hotel will include up to 800 rooms, 80,000 square feet of flexible meeting space with junior and senior ballrooms, 15,000 square feet of retail, a pool, and outdoor amenity deck.
Before closing for the new construction, the venue’s 750,000 square feet hosted 63 events that drew in more than 292,540 attendees in 2024, according to Visit Cincy officials.
“The operations and management of the reinvented DECC will be a key part of our ability to attract new conventions and drive economic impact,” said Julie Calvert, president and CEO of Visit Cincy. “ASM Global’s unmatched experience in this space and network of convention centers in their portfolio will be a key factor in achieving our collective goals.”
The Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority (DRCFA) awarded a contract extension to ASM Global in July to manage Huntington Place, Michigan’s largest convention center.
According to DRCFA CEO Bryan Crowe, ASM Global – in partnership with the DRCFA – has been instrumental in positioning Huntington Place as a world-class meetings and conventions destination welcoming more than 1 million annual visitors to high-profile events, such as the Detroit Auto Show.
“ASM Global will play a vital role in supporting the DRCFA’s upcoming strategic initiatives, including the Convention Center Expansion Project and developing a new convention center hotel to maintain and bolster Detroit’s competitiveness in attracting major local, state, national, and international events,” Crowe said. “They will also be key to generating new non-event revenue streams while continuously enhancing operational efficiencies to deliver an exceptional client experience.”
The downtown Detroit venue, which offers more than 723,000 square feet of exhibit space, hosted 146 events with more than 457,000 attendees in 2023.
“We are honored by the DRCFA’s continued confidence in our team at Huntington Place,” said Hoffend. “This extension allows us to build on our successes and ensure Detroit continues to grow as a premier destination for conventions, trade shows, and events and win over audiences with its unique blend of grit and innovation.”
Huntington Place Renews Agreement with Preferred AV Vendor
Huntington Place also extended its preferred audio-visual contract with Premier Creative Group for five more years.
As part of the renewed contract, Premier Creative Group will continue as the preferred vendor providing comprehensive audio-visual services for events hosted at the ASM Global-managed facility, including trade shows, corporate meetings, conferences, and galas.
“We are thrilled to continue our successful partnership with Premier Creative Group for another five years,” said Becky Bixby, Huntington Place interim general manager. “Their expertise in audio-visual production has significantly elevated the quality of our events. We look forward to growing our affiliation even more and bridging that collaboration with our clients to create unforgettable experiences here at Huntington Place.”
New Outdoor Event Spaces Coming to Kansas City
In downtown Kansas City, visitors and convention attendees alike will soon be able to enjoy the reimagined Barney Allis Plaza, located just steps from the Kansas City Convention Center (KCCC), Municipal Auditorium, and adjacent hotels.
Already under construction and set to open in 2026, the revitalized plaza in the city’s convention district will also boast a roster of spaces for standalone events and add-on opportunities for groups at the KCCC and other venues.
Areas at the new Barney Allis Plaza designed for events and activations include:
- A 9,300-square-foot event plaza on the south end of Barney Allis Plaza for large events, pop-up festivals and more.
- An 11,500-square-foot sloped lawn, boasting terraces and views onto the event plaza.
- An 8,800-square-foot pavilion plaza, intended to host food trucks and other pop-up events, as well as a variety of artwork throughout the space.
- A 10,100-square-foot oval lawn, offering a flat and flexible green space for casual events and informal gatherings.
The new Barney Allis Plaza will also include a family-friendly play area and dog park, and below the multipurpose gathering space, a parking garage will offer roughly 580 parking spots, connecting to the Kansas City Marriott Downtown and Municipal Auditorium via tunnels.
Lead image: rendering of reimagined Duke Energy Convention Center
Have some trade show and conference venue news to share? Reach out to lisa.savas@informa.com.
Don’t miss any event-related news: Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter HERE, listen to our latest podcast HERE and engage with us on LinkedIn!
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is renowned for its exceptional service and diverse venue options across Las Vegas, Detroit, Springfield, National Harbor, Biloxi, and Atlantic City, providing flexible spaces for meetings of any size. Beyond these offerings, MGM Resorts distinguishes itself through a strong commitment to social responsibility and sustainability, making it an ideal choice for your next meeting.
At the core of MGM Resorts' company values is its platform, "Focused on What Matters," dedicated to meeting customer needs while advancing socially responsible practices. This commitment is evident in several key areas:
Protecting Natural Resources
MGM Resorts is home to industry-leading recycling, renewable electricity and water conservation programs. Some highlights include a cogeneration power plant at ARIA, producing ultra-efficient electricity; one of America’s largest contiguous rooftop solar arrays atop the convention center at Mandalay Bay; and onsite wells that provide water for the celebrated Fountains of Bellagio, avoiding reliance on precious Colorado River water. These efforts and many more save on natural resources while boosting attendee satisfaction.
Committed to Community
Always striving to be good neighbors, MGM Resorts works to avoid food waste and combat food insecurity with the Feeding Forward program. In partnership with local food banks, they safely divert unserved food to food insecure members of the community. Since 2016, over 5 million meals have been provided, highlighting MGM Resorts' commitment to minimizing food waste and addressing community needs.
MGM Resorts supports clients in their responsible-meetings efforts, not only with efficient venues but also waste-reducing décor and signage; sustainable food and beverage options; and outreach to help planners communicate sustainability efforts to attendees. What’s more, they offer a Mindful Meetings series that puts attendee wellness first—through fitness and mindfulness activities, and in give-back events with local charity organizations.
Fostering Diversity & Inclusion
To MGM Resorts, a diverse and talented workforce is essential to success. By cultivating innovative strategies that consider multiple perspectives and viewpoints, the company creates an inclusive workplace culture that benefits its employees and community. MGM Resorts takes pride in being a welcoming home for veterans, individuals with disabilities, people from diverse backgrounds, LGBTQ+ community members, and more. This commitment to inclusion is reflected in the company's recruitment and hiring practices and its social responsibility initiatives. From the workplace to the community, MGM Resorts' commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion remains unwavering, and its efforts continue to create a more equitable and sustainable world for all.
MGM Resorts offers unparalleled service and venue options while standing out for its proactive approach to sustainability and community engagement. Choosing MGM Resorts for your next meeting means aligning with a company that values social responsibility, efficiency, and attendee satisfaction, ensuring a meaningful and impactful event experience.
Add new comment