CLEVELAND (Feb. 5) - Cleveland continues to enhance its meetings and conventions package, debuting new accommodations, expanded meetings venues and vibrant dining and entertainment options. Building on the momentum of its 2024 hosting of the NCAA Women’s Final Four and the ASAE Annual Meeting and Expo, the city is ready for another year of exceeding both meeting planner and event attendee expectations.
New Accommodations
The historic Hotel Cleveland completed a $90 million renovation last summer, unveiling 491 elegantly reimagined rooms, 59,000 square feet of modernized meeting space, ergonomic workspaces and two new restaurants with views of Cleveland’s iconic Public Square.
Just weeks into 2025, Downtown Cleveland welcomed the Fidelity Hotel, a 97-room boutique hotel located within walking distance of the Huntington Convention Center. An adaptive reuse of the 103-year-old Baker Building, the hotel blends old-world glamour and modern style and features a state-of-the-art gym, full-service restaurant, bar and lounge and versatile event spaces suited to accommodate a variety of groups. Photos of the property are available here.
A 210-room W Hotel project is also moving forward, set to become a luxurious addition to the city’s accommodations. With work set to begin in the Erieview Tower, the new hotel will feature a 15,000-square-foot ballroom and event center, full-service spa and gym, rooftop deck and restaurant with stunning skyline views. It is anticipated to open in 2027.
Venue and Event Space Enhancements
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History completed a $150-million transformation, introducing more than 375,000 square feet of reimagined spaces to the public in December 2024. The reconfigured architecture, designed to accommodate special events throughout, reflects the influences of the natural world and makes it the first museum in the United States to earn LEEDv4 BD+C NC Platinum certification. Photos of the museum are available here.
A new live music and event space, the Globe Iron, is set to open May 2025 in Cleveland’s The Flats District. With a capacity of 1,200, this venue will provide an intimate setting that blends industrial chic with Midwest charm.
Just in time for summer 2025, enhanced outdoor experiences will debut in The Land, including more than $200 million in Progressive Field renovations, featuring a new rooftop patio with views of the city. Those looking to be along the water can enjoy public access improvements, re-paved walking paths and additional lighting at Downtown Cleveland’s North Coast Harbor.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is also undergoing a $135 million renovation set to be completed in 2026. The expansion will nearly double the museum’s footprint, featuring a 2,800-person indoor event venue that will host concerts and other large-scale events, new exhibit areas and an atrium lobby with panoramic views of Lake Erie. The project will also include an ADA-compliant outdoor park, further enhancing the museum's accessibility and visitor experience.
New Dining and Entertainment Offerings
Late last year, James Beard finalist Brandon Chrostowski of EDWINS opened The Friar’s Table. The restaurant introduces a unique dining experience to Downtown Cleveland’s Playhouse Square theater district, blending monastic tradition with modern innovation.
The Flats East Bank entertainment district will welcome Decades Cleveland, a retro-themed bar and club in March 2025. Channeling the 80s and 90s, the bar will pair nostalgic entertainment with classic cocktails to transport visitors back in time. Less than a mile from Huntington Convention Center, Decades Cleveland offers an easily accessible location for post-meeting merriment.
Jolene’s Honky Tonk is expected to open this April, bringing a bit of Nashville to Downtown’s East 4th Street entertainment district. A short walk or ride from Huntington Convention Center, Jolene’s will offer a unique country bar atmosphere with live music, themed drinks and a rooftop patio perfect for enjoying Cleveland’s warmer months.
Come summer, Market Garden Brewery will unveil a rooftop patio at its brewpub located next to the iconic West Side Market. The outdoor space, which is available for private events, will serve as a relaxing space to enjoy craft brews with picturesque views of nearby Downtown Cleveland.
To keep up to date on new developments and offerings for meetings and conventions, please visit www.thisiscleveland.com/meetings or follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram or YouTube.
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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 2023, visitation increased for the third straight year to 18.34 million visits. For more information, visit www.thisiscleveland.com.