Exhibitor guide · Covington, Kentucky
Northern Kentucky Convention Center: the exhibitor's guide
110,000 square feet of meeting, exhibition and social space on the Ohio River, a 19th-century suspension bridge away from downtown Cincinnati, and a Kentucky show floor with Ohio-metro convenience. What exhibitors need to know in Covington.
Why this page exists
The Northern Kentucky Convention Center sits on the Ohio River in Covington, across the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge, an 1866 span that predates and inspired its more famous cousin, the Brooklyn Bridge, from downtown Cincinnati. That location gives exhibitors a genuinely dual-metro show: Kentucky's right-to-work labor rules and cost structure, with a short walk to Cincinnati's downtown core. The center offers 204,000 sq ft total, with 110,000 sq ft of meeting, exhibition and social function space including a 46,200 sq ft exhibit hall and a 22,800 sq ft carpeted ballroom. This guide covers the exhibit space, Kentucky's labor rules, drayage, and the walk across the Roebling Bridge.
The building
The exhibit space
| Space | What it is | Typical shows | Booth planning note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exhibit hall | 46,200 sq ft. | Regional trade shows, consumer expos | Confirm current dock count. |
| Carpeted ballroom | 22,800 sq ft. | Galas, general sessions | Carpeted; confirm floor protection needs. |
| 23 meeting rooms | Distributed across the center. | Breakouts, association meetings | Hand-carry and tabletop formats. |
Figures from the Northern Kentucky Convention Center's published venue overview.
The labor map
Who sets up my booth?
Kentucky has been a right-to-work state since January 2017; confirm hand-carry and self-install allowances with the show's official contractor.
Right-to-work since 2017; the show contractor sets the terms
Rules vary by show; Purple confirms current terms before your build.
Exhibitor-appointed contractors
Purple files as your EAC for Northern Kentucky Convention Center shows.
Free tool
NKY Convention Center 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 15–20 minutes.
- Walking: downtown Cincinnati is a walk across the Roebling Suspension Bridge.
- On-site: Ohio River waterfront location.
- Crew: Purple coordinates Mid-South crews for Covington installs.
| Hotel | Distance | Why exhibitors pick it |
|---|---|---|
| Covington waterfront hotels | Walking distance | Closest options to the convention center. |
| Downtown Cincinnati hotels | Across the Roebling Bridge | More options a short walk over the river. |
Questions
Northern Kentucky Convention Center FAQ
Is this close to Cincinnati?
Yes, it's a short walk across the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge, an 1866 span that predates and inspired the Brooklyn Bridge, into downtown Cincinnati.
How big is the exhibit hall?
46,200 square feet, part of 110,000 square feet of total meeting, exhibition and social function space.
Can I set up my own booth?
Kentucky has been right-to-work since 2017; confirm hand-carry allowances with your show's official contractor.
How much is drayage?
Purple's planning estimate is about $130 per hundredweight in 2026 and 2027, with a 200-pound minimum.
How big is the ballroom?
22,800 square feet, carpeted.
How many meeting rooms are there?
23, within 110,000 sq ft of meeting, exhibition and social space.
Exhibiting in Covington?
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.