CLEVELAND (July 21, 2026) – Building on a year of continued investment, Cleveland’s meetings landscape is gaining new depth across its compact Downtown convention district, with an updated convention center and hotel package, lakefront venues, iconic cultural assets, sustainability-focused amenities and new entertainment and waterfront development.
“Cleveland’s strength as a meetings destination is the range of experiences planners can connect within one easy-to-navigate Downtown environment,” said Gordon Taylor III, chief sales officer at Destination Cleveland. “With continued investment across the city and support from our Sales and Services teams, groups have even more ways to create seamless, memorable meetings that feel distinctly Cleveland.”
New and Enhanced Venues Add Flexibility for Future Meetings
This fall, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will complete a $135 million expansion, adding 50,000 square feet to one of Cleveland’s most recognizable cultural attractions. The project includes a new 1,400-person indoor venue designed for concerts, general sessions and large-scale gatherings, along with expanded exhibit areas, an atrium lobby overlooking Lake Erie and a fully ADA-compliant outdoor park. The expansion creates new opportunities for meetings, receptions and special events that connect groups to Cleveland’s lakefront and music legacy.
Renderings here.
The recently opened Patrick S. Parker Community Sailing Center adds another lakefront option for planners considering Cleveland for future programs. The facility features flexible indoor and outdoor gathering spaces, a rooftop terrace overlooking Lake Erie, dining facilities and educational programming areas that can support receptions, networking events, team-building activities and other off-site experiences.
Images here.
Downtown Hotel Updates and Pipeline Strengthen the Meetings Package
Cleveland’s Downtown hotel package continues to expand and improve for future meetings, with recent renovations and 2027 openings adding refreshed rooms, meeting space and new hospitality options near the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland.
The Westin Cleveland Downtown has undergone a complete renovation, including updates to all 484 guestrooms and suites, the lobby and dining venues. The project also includes 21,000 square feet of refreshed meeting and pre-function space, two new boardrooms and expanded networking areas designed to support executive meetings, breakout sessions and informal attendee connections.
Images here.
Hilton Cleveland Downtown recently unveiled The Club at Hilton, a new premium lounge – the first-of-its-kind for Hilton Hotels & Resorts – offering all-day dining, barista-crafted coffee and dedicated areas for working, networking and relaxing. Located adjacent to the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland, the hotel continues to serve as a key asset for groups meeting in Downtown Cleveland.
Images here.
Looking ahead, three Downtown hotel projects are expected in 2027. AC Hotel by Marriott is expected to bring 141 guestrooms through the adaptive reuse of a historic building located within walking distance of the convention center and East 4th Street’s dining and entertainment district. Later in the year, a new Marriott Tribute Portfolio Hotel will anchor the redevelopment of the historic Rose Building, adding 123 boutique guestrooms alongside new retail and dining experiences.
Cleveland is also expected to welcome its first W Hotel in 2027. The 210-room luxury property is planned to include a 15,000-square-foot ballroom, rooftop deck and signature restaurant overlooking the city skyline, creating new options for receptions, networking events and executive gatherings.
Convention Center Sustainability Remains a Cleveland Differentiator
The Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland continues to build on one of its most distinctive sustainability features: its 19,000-square-foot urban farm, which has supported fresh ingredients, pollinator health and urban agriculture in Downtown Cleveland for more than a decade.
The farm’s latest refresh includes a new orchard with cherry, apple and pear trees, expanded raised cedar planting beds and a new chicken coop. The farm supplies herbs, vegetables and honey from seven onsite beehives that are incorporated into menu offerings throughout the facility.
Visible from the convention center’s ballroom pre-function space through the Farm Stage viewing area, the urban farm gives planners a tangible example of Cleveland’s approach to sustainability in action and creates an unexpected point of distinction during site visits.
Press release here.
Entertainment and Riverfront Projects Add New Event Possibilities
Also planned for 2027, Cosm will add an immersive entertainment venue to Downtown Cleveland, with flexible options for sports viewing, live entertainment, branded activations and attendee engagement opportunities within walking distance of hotels, meeting spaces and major sports venues.
Renderings here.
The city’s riverfront transformation is also advancing with the Cleveland Clinic Global Peak Performance Center, the first phase of Bedrock’s larger Riverfront development. In addition to serving as the Cleveland Cavaliers’ practice facility, the project will include indoor and outdoor reception space available for private events, along with new public access to the Cuyahoga River. Future phases of the Riverfront master plan are expected to add additional public space, a riverwalk, waterfront access and a 6,200-capacity amphitheater, further expanding Downtown Cleveland’s event and entertainment environment over the next several years.
Rendering here.
Destination Cleveland Supports Planners Beyond the Meeting Space
As planners consider Cleveland for future meetings, Destination Cleveland’s
Convention Services team works with groups to connect the city’s expanding hotel, venue, dining, cultural and waterfront assets into customized attendee experiences. For recent groups, that support has helped make Cleveland easier to navigate and more memorable for attendees.
“Destination Cleveland was an invaluable partner throughout the planning process, providing guidance, local connections and responsive support every step of the way,” said Jessica Nguyen, vice president of meetings and professional development at CECU. “Cleveland exceeded our expectations as a meeting destination, offering outstanding venues, exceptional hospitality and unique experiences that made our convention truly memorable.”
The Services team supports planners from initial site visits through on-the-ground execution, providing coordination, local insight and logistical support. The team also works with local partners to help groups drive attendance and engagement, incorporate authentic local experiences into programming and connect attendees with the destination.
To keep up to date on new developments and offerings for meetings and conventions, please visit
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ABOUT DESTINATION CLEVELAND: Destination Cleveland is Cleveland’s destination marketing and management organization. The private, non-profit organization’s mission is to stimulate economic growth by attracting people and connecting them to experiences that illustrate Cleveland’s diversity, creativity and contagious passion. In 2024, visitation increased for the fourth straight year to 18.6 million visits, with visitor spending infusing a record-high $6.9 billion into the local economy. For more information, visit www.thisiscleveland.com.