CLEVELAND (Jan. 21, 2026) – As meeting planners increasingly turn to mid-sized cities for value, walkability and memorable experiences, Cleveland is expanding its convention offerings with new hotels and venues in 2026 and beyond. Supporting these efforts, Destination Cleveland's Services team partners with planners from site visits through event completion, helping groups select off-site venues and experiences and connect with local experts and vendors.

New Hotels Expand Downtown Room Inventory

New hotel development in Downtown Cleveland is increasing room inventory while directly addressing planners' needs for walkability and flexibility. A growing mix of boutique and luxury properties allows groups to stay closer together, reduce transportation requirements and keep off-site experiences easily accessible.

Later this year, the AC Hotel by Marriott will offer 141 contemporary guest rooms to Downtown, breathing new life into a historic building just a 10-minute walk from the Huntington Convention Center. Its proximity to East 4th Street's dining, nightlife and entertainment makes it easy for attendees to connect outside of meeting hours without the need for shuttles.

Looking ahead to 2027, a Marriott Tribute Hotel will anchor the redevelopment of the historic Rose Building, offering 123 boutique rooms that blend classic architecture with modern design, along with street-level dining and retail that support seamless attendee flow throughout Downtown. That same year, Cleveland will welcome its first W Hotel, a 210-room luxury property featuring a 15,000-square-foot ballroom, a 38th-floor restaurant and a rooftop deck with skyline views. The hotel will provide planners with venues for networking events, receptions and private gatherings within the city's central meeting district.

Beyond-the-Ballroom Venues Redefine Meeting Experiences

Cleveland's continued investment in cultural, waterfront and entertainment venues reflects a broader shift toward experiential meetings, giving planners new options to design programs that extend beyond the ballroom and convention center.

A defining example of this evolution is the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's $175 million expansion, scheduled for completion this fall. The 50,000-square-foot addition introduces a new 1,400-person indoor venue designed for concerts and large-scale gatherings, giving planners an iconic setting for general sessions and evening events. Expanded exhibit areas, an atrium lobby with panoramic Lake Erie views and a fully ADA-compliant outdoor park support flexible, multi-format programming and improved attendee flow throughout the event. Images available here.

Opening this spring, the Patrick S. Parker Community Sailing Center extends experiential options to the waterfront. Located at East 55th Street Marina, the fully accessible facility features versatile indoor and outdoor settings, including a rooftop terrace with lake views, multi-purpose learning areas, dining space and boathouse amenities. Images available here.

Looking ahead, Cleveland's experiential portfolio will continue to expand with the 2027 opening of Cosm in Downtown's Gateway District. The dome-shaped, technology-forward venue is designed for immersive sports, concerts and live entertainment. The space will provide planners with a flexible environment for programming, branded activations and attendee-driven events within walking distance of Downtown hotels and meeting facilities.

Planners can feel confident accessing the city's expanding offerings with support from the Destination Cleveland Services team. From early planning and customized site visits to marketing support and venue coordination, the team ensures a smooth experience for groups of all sizes.

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, TikTok 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 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.