Exhibitor guide · Downtown Cincinnati, Ohio
Duke Energy Convention Center: the exhibitor's guide
A building that once carried the name of the doctor who developed the oral polio vaccine, a giant illuminated "CINCINNATI" sign visible across the skyline, and 195,000 square feet of continuous exhibit space that once covered a full city block. What exhibitors need to know in the Queen City.
Duke Energy CC · 525 Elm StWhy this page exists
This building opened in 1967 covering an entire downtown city block with 95,000 sq ft of exhibit space, one of the largest meeting facilities in the country at the time, and in 1987 it was renamed for Dr. Albert B. Sabin, the Cincinnati Children's researcher who developed the oral polio vaccine, before eventually taking its current corporate name. A 2006 expansion added 200,000 sq ft and the giant illuminated "CINCINNATI" sign that's now one of the most recognizable features on the city's skyline. This guide covers the exhibit space, Ohio's labor rules, drayage, and the Roebling Bridge waterfront.
The building
The exhibit space
| Space | What it is | Typical shows | Booth planning note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Continuous exhibit hall | 195,000 sq ft. | Large regional and national trade shows | Confirm current dock count. |
| 250,000+ sq ft of meeting and event space | Distributed across the building. | Breakouts, general sessions | Hand-carry and tabletop formats. |
Figures from the Duke Energy Convention Center's published event planning guide.
The labor map
Who sets up my booth?
Ohio has no statewide right-to-work law; confirm hand-carry and self-install allowances with the show's official contractor.
No statewide right-to-work law; confirm with the contractor
Rules vary by show; Purple confirms current terms before your build.
Exhibitor-appointed contractors
Purple files as your EAC for Duke Energy Convention Center shows.
History
From Sabin to Duke Energy
The Convention-Exposition Center opens, covering a full downtown city block with 95,000 sq ft of exhibit space, one of the largest meeting facilities in the United States at the time.
The building is renamed for Dr. Albert B. Sabin, the Cincinnati Children's Hospital researcher credited with developing the oral polio vaccine.
An expansion adds 200,000 sq ft of space along with the giant illuminated "CINCINNATI" sign that now anchors the city's skyline at dusk, and the building eventually takes on its current corporate naming-rights identity.
Free tool
Duke Energy CC drayage estimator
Planning numbers for 2026 and 2027; your show's exhibitor kit has the tariff.
Logistics
Hotels, transit, crew logistics
- Airport: Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International is about 20 minutes.
- Walking: downtown Cincinnati hotels are a short walk.
- Nearby: the 1867 John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge and the riverfront are a short walk south.
- Crew: Purple coordinates Midwest crews for Cincinnati installs.
| Hotel | Distance | Why exhibitors pick it |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Cincinnati hotels | Walking distance | Closest options to the convention center. |
| Hotels near CVG Airport | 20-min drive | Fly-in exhibitors on early or late flights. |
Questions
Duke Energy Convention Center FAQ
What's the big "CINCINNATI" sign on the building?
An illuminated skyline sign added in the 2006 expansion, now one of the most recognizable features of the downtown Cincinnati skyline at dusk.
Why was the building once named for Albert Sabin?
It honored Dr. Albert B. Sabin, the Cincinnati Children's Hospital researcher credited with developing the oral polio vaccine, from 1987 until the current corporate naming-rights era.
Can I set up my own booth?
Ohio has no statewide right-to-work law; confirm hand-carry allowances with your show's official contractor.
How much is drayage?
Purple's planning estimate is about $140 per hundredweight in 2026 and 2027, with a 200-pound minimum.
How much meeting space is there?
More than 250,000 square feet within the 750,000 sq ft building.
When did the building expand?
2006, adding 200,000 sq ft and the illuminated CINCINNATI sign.
Exhibiting at the Duke Energy CC?
Send us the show and booth number. You get a labor briefing, a drayage estimate, and a build timeline within two business days.
Venue guides
Every venue we have a guide for
Same standard, every hall: the building, the rules, the tools and the calendar.