Derek Taylor

The First Financial Center is Cincinnati’s premier event and meeting venue, located in the center of downtown Cincinnati and within blocks of over 3,500 hotel rooms, a variety of bars and restaurants, pro-sport venues and attractions. The center features 195,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space, the largest and most spectacular ballroom in the Midwest (40,000 square feet), an additional ballroom (16,000 square feet) with an adjoining outdoor rooftop terrace, and 35 flexible break-out rooms. We are excited to announce that in January 2026 the First Financial Center reopened after completing an 18-month $264 million transformation and redesign. This exciting project included a completely new glass exterior, allowing greater natural light into the building, wider concourses and open atriums for improved circulation and traffic flow. All the meeting spaces were upgraded with new technology and wood toned entryways, digital signage was added throughout the building, lobby areas were added, and there was a replacement of all major building systems resulting in a vast improvement in energy efficiency. Finally, the main entrance to the building was redesigned, allowing for a greater sense of arrival, and a new 2.5 acre outdoor plaza (Elm Street Plaza) in front of the center was created, allowing for outdoor receptions and convention gathering space. The First Financial Center selected Levy Restaurants as its first-class exclusive Food & Beverage provider, with a goal of elevating the customer and attendee experience by providing creative and inspiring food & beverage options with friendly and outstanding service. Expect dynamic, rotating, seasonal menus with Cincinnati flair, prepared with the freshest locally sourced ingredients whenever possible with a range of price points. It’s time to book your next event and prepare for a productive and memorable experience!