“The Dayton Convention Center’s resurgence is historical and is a critical economic driver for the region,” Plageman said. “This $45 million investment positions the (convention center) to be in a highly competitive position in the marketplace.”
She said the center is working to bring in a food and beverage business. She said the Convention Facilities Authority is exploring possibly expanding the convention center upwards sometime down the line.
Almost done
Plageman said 90% of the convention center’s renovation work is complete and the entire project should be finished by April.
Work that remains includes putting in signage, finishing up the exhibit halls and installing a hanging sculpture in the lobby and another sculpture in the outdoor plaza.
The facility’s facade has been transformed with a new plaza and outdoor greenspace by the front door. Above the entrance is a new terrace, which serves as a gathering place.
During the summer months, visitors can go out on the terrace to enjoy the fresh air and views of downtown and watch and listen to the concerts at the Levitt Pavilion Dayton, said Jonathan Boeckling, project executive with Messer, which oversaw the renovation of the convention center.
The terrace “helps open up the third floor,” he said.
A new digital sign has been installed on the northwest corner of the convention center that has 3D capabilities. The sign replaces a digital ribbon board that hasn’t worked in years.
All 22 of the facility’s meeting rooms have been renovated, and so has the 672-seat theater on the third floor.
Plageman said the renovated ballrooms are beautiful. She said the center now has state-of-the art systems, offering high-quality lighting and sound, and top-notch finishes.
The facility has new furniture, fixtures, carpet, escalators, elevators, coolers, freezers, kitchen equipment and seats.
Mike Stevens, chairperson of the Montgomery County Convention Facilities Authority’s board of directors, said the convention center remained open during construction and impressively it was able to host some major events during that time.
Construction began on the facility in August 2022.
More attention
Plageman said the upgraded convention center is attracting notice and interest from convention and event planners.
The convention center this year will host some events for the first time, like the American Heart Association Heart Ball in the spring and an anime convention called Ohayocon this weekend.
Ohayocon, which turns 25 this year, used to be held in Columbus.
“We have probably four ... local events that have never had an event here that are coming,” Plageman said.
The convention center will be full this weekend since it is hosting Ohayocon and a dance competition, said Christina Combs, director of sales for the Dayton Convention Center.
Combs said the convention center is vastly different and better than what it was like just several years ago.
Bookings at the convention center for 2025 are up slightly from 2024, and other events are expected to be added later this year.
Plageman said the convention center hopefully will reach its goal of hosting 200 events each year when new hotels open up across the street. Two hotels are under development, and officials say many conventions and events expect and demand hotels in short walking distance.
Plageman said while the $45 million renovation project is nearly finished, work to improve the facility will be ongoing.
She said the Convention Facilities Authority is even exploring the possibility of expanding the center upwards to add new floors with new meeting spaces.
“We’re looking ahead five, 10 years out,” she said. “We’ll always be making capital investments into this facility.”
The renovated convention center helps improve downtown’s vibrancy, which is extremely important, said Scott Marshall, director of external relations for Sinclair College, which is an advertising sponsor of the convention center’s marquee.
“Having a more thriving downtown with great partnerships is beneficial to everyone,” he said. Sinclair College is located downtown.
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