The Midwest continues to solidify its status as a prime destination for meetings and events, with a surge of new and revamped venues catering to group travel. As major cities like Chicago, Indianapolis, and St. Louis lead a hotel investment boom—even in secondary markets like Omaha and Des Moines—here are five standout properties reshaping the region’s meetings landscape.
Baird Center (Milwaukee, WI)
Following a $456 million expansion, Milwaukee’s Baird Center reopened in May 2024 as a 1.3-million-square-foot hub, featuring 52 breakout rooms, 300,000 square feet of exhibition space, and a rooftop ballroom. Inclusive amenities like gender-neutral restrooms, sensory rooms, and Mamava pods enhance accessibility.
Duke Energy Convention Center (Cincinnati, OH)
Cincinnati’s Duke Energy Convention Center is undergoing a $240 million revamp, set to reopen in January 2026. The project will modernize event spaces, add a rooftop terrace, and connect to the new Elm Street Convention Plaza. A planned 800-room headquarters hotel will boost the area’s room count to nearly 3,500, with 80,000 square feet of meeting space.
JW Marriott Water Square (Detroit, MI)
Slated for early 2027, Detroit’s JW Marriott Water Square will rise 25 stories on the former Joe Louis Arena site, offering 600 guest rooms and 50,000 square feet of meeting space. A skybridge will link the hotel directly to the Huntington Place Convention Center, making it downtown Detroit’s second-largest hotel.
Shinola Hotel Indianapolis (Indianapolis, IN)
Indianapolis will welcome the $300 million Shinola Hotel in late 2027. The 13-story property, three blocks from the Indiana Convention Center, will feature 170 rooms, retail, dining, and meeting spaces—including a 4,000-square-foot rentable music venue and a skywalk to Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Signia by Hilton Indianapolis (Indianapolis, IN)
Opening fall 2026, the 38-story Signia by Hilton will add 800 rooms to downtown Indianapolis, connecting via skywalks to the Indiana Convention Center, which is undergoing its sixth expansion (143,500 square feet, including a 50,000-square-foot ballroom). The city will soon boast over 5,500 connected rooms for group events.
With these projects, the Midwest reinforces its role as a dynamic hub for meetings, incentives, and conventions, blending modern infrastructure with accessibility and innovation.
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