The Sharonville Convention Center recently hosted the SPCA Cincinnati’s annual Fur Ball Gala, an evening that brought together community members, sponsors, and partners in support of animal care across the region. The 2026 event, themed the “Barkyard Blue Jean Bash,” raised more than $639,000 in support of SPCA Cincinnati’s mission.

According to SPCA Cincinnati leadership, the success of the event will directly support lifesaving medical care, shelter, enrichment, and adoption efforts for animals in need. Proceeds from the gala help fund programs that reduce stress for animals and improve their chances of finding permanent homes, while also expanding resources for care and protection throughout the region.

The event featured a full evening of dining, entertainment, and fundraising activities, drawing strong participation from attendees and sponsors alike. In follow-up communication, SPCA Cincinnati expressed appreciation for the collaboration that helped make the event possible, noting the role of partners and the Center in supporting a successful and impactful evening.

Events like the Fur Ball highlight the ability of the Sharonville Convention Center to host large-scale community gatherings that combine meaningful causes with engaging experiences. The continued success of these events reflects the strength of partnerships between event organizers, sponsors, and the broader community.

As events continue to evolve, planners are placing greater emphasis on capturing content that extends beyond the event itself. Drone video and aerial photography provide a dynamic way to showcase scale, energy, and atmosphere — offering perspectives that traditional photography simply can’t achieve.

At the Sharonville Convention Center, drone services are available as an added enhancement for select events, helping planners document everything from large exhibit halls and general sessions to crowd movement and activation spaces. Recent footage captured during HorrorHound Weekend highlights how aerial views can bring an event to life, showcasing the size, layout, and engagement of attendees in a way that resonates long after the event concludes.

Beyond documentation, drone content can support post-event marketing, social media, and future promotions, giving planners high-quality visual assets to extend the reach of their event. Whether used to create highlight reels, recap videos, or promotional materials, aerial footage adds a level of production value that can help events stand out.

SCC partners with local drone operator Ron Schuller of Cincinnati Drone to provide these services, offering professional, compliant, and high-quality aerial coverage. As planners continue to look for ways to enhance both the attendee experience and post-event storytelling, drone video presents a flexible and impactful option to consider.

See his work at HorrorHound Weekend

At the Sharonville Convention Center, food and beverage is approached as an extension of the event itself. Rather than relying solely on standard menus, many planners work directly with the culinary team to create customized offerings that align with their event’s theme and audience. “When meeting with a client, we like to get the theme of the event and create menus that revolve around it,” said Laura Starkey, Director of Catering. This approach allows each event to feel distinct — whether through regional flavors, interactive stations, or thoughtfully designed presentations.

Recent events highlight that flexibility. A Kentucky Derby-themed gala featured bite-sized Hot Browns, fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese, and Derby pie designed for a social, cocktail-style setting. At another event, Cincinnati favorites were paired with a raw seafood bar and custom ice display, alongside action stations that added an interactive element for attendees. This level of customization extends beyond menu design to accommodate a wide range of dietary needs — from vegan and gluten-free options to more specialized requests — while maintaining consistency in quality and presentation.

That flexibility is supported by a service model built around experience and continuity. Clients often work with the same team members from planning through execution, creating a consistent point of contact and reducing friction throughout the process. Staff are empowered to respond in real time and provide solutions, an approach shaped by hosting hundreds of events each year. In 2025, this focus contributed to strong client feedback, with customer survey scores averaging 4.8 out of 5, and food and beverage consistently ranking among the highest-rated aspects of the event experience.

Attention to presentation and detail further supports the overall experience. From butler-passed appetizers and signature cocktails to elevated buffet displays and interactive food stations, the culinary team focuses on creating moments that complement the event’s atmosphere. As expectations continue to evolve — particularly around dietary flexibility and visual presentation — the Convention Center’s approach remains focused on delivering food and beverage experiences that are both functional and memorable.

At the Sharonville Convention Center, success isn’t something we achieve alone. It’s built through the planners, organizations, and partners who choose to bring their events to our facility — and in 2025, that collaboration led to one of the strongest years in our history.

Following our expansion, the Convention Center continued to see growth across key performance areas, including operating revenue, attendance, and event activity. Total gross sales surpassed $3 million for the first time, reaching $3,112,821, while total gross sales — including facility, food and beverage, and audio-visual services — climbed to an all-time high of $7,705,786. Attendance also continued its steady rise, with more than 223,000 attendees welcomed throughout the year and total event days increasing to 282. These milestones reflect not only the strength of the market, but the continued trust of planners who rely on the Sharonville Convention Center to deliver successful events.

That trust has also contributed to broader community impact. The City’s Hotel Transient Occupancy Tax grew, supporting both the Convention Center’s long-term sustainability. At the same time, the types of events hosted continue to evolve. While the total number of events decreased slightly, the Convention Center continued its trend toward hosting larger, longer-running events that drive higher attendance and greater overall impact.

To support this growth, ongoing investments were made throughout the facility. In 2025, the main level received new carpeting, and lighting in the exhibit hall and public spaces was upgraded to energy-efficient LED systems with modern controls. Behind the scenes, staffing also expanded to meet demand, including additions within both the Security and Maintenance teams to ensure a safe, well-maintained environment for every event.

Even with these continued investments, the Convention Center closed the year with a positive operating income, reinforcing a stable foundation for the future. Looking ahead, early indicators suggest 2026 will continue this momentum, with a strong booking pace and a calendar filled with a diverse mix of events.

For the Sharonville Convention Center, these milestones represent more than just numbers. They reflect the relationships built with planners and partners who trust the facility to bring their events to life. Your events drive attendance, support the local economy, and help shape the continued growth of the Convention Center — and for that, we are grateful.

At Sharonville Convention Center, technology has become a core part of the event experience. In partnership with Prestige Audio Visual, SCC delivers hybrid and tech-enhanced events that seamlessly bridge in-person and remote audiences. [Read more…]

When you attend an event at the Sharonville Convention Center, the food and beverage experience is more than just a meal – it’s part of the event’s story.

“When meeting with a client, we like to get the theme of the event and create menus that revolve around it,” said Laura Starkey, Oak View Group’s Director of Catering. One example: the SPCA Fur Ball, which in 2025 featured a Kentucky Derby theme. Guests sampled petite Hot Browns, mini fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese, and Derby pie – each bite-sized and designed for mingling during the evening’s activities.

This level of customization is a hallmark of SCC. For the Ohio Society of Association Professionals (OSAP) event, the team turned food into an experience, showcasing Cincinnati favorites alongside a raw seafood bar complete with a lighted ice display featuring the OSAP logo. Action stations, including house-made shrimp and grits, gave attendees a taste of SCC’s creativity and the chef’s South Carolina roots.

SCC doesn’t just meet dietary needs – it embraces them. Whether it’s vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, or even specialty requests like grass-fed beef sourced from specific ranches, Starkey and her team focus on flexibility while maintaining quality and presentation. “We try to be as flexible as possible while ensuring we maintain quality and presentation,” she explained.

Presentation and service are equally important. “You eat with your eyes before you taste,” said Starkey. SCC’s team invests in top-tier equipment and emphasizes elegant touches such as butler-passed appetizers, signature cocktails, and creative displays. Imagine a smoked Caprese bruschetta served under a domed lid, with aromatic smoke rising as it’s unveiled – a small detail that leaves a big impression.

Emerging trends also play a role in SCC’s approach. Dietary restrictions continue to expand, and creative presentation has become an expectation rather than a luxury. From wood plank charcuterie boards to elevated buffet designs, SCC ensures every visual detail supports the event’s theme.

For Starkey, the message to event planners is simple: “We can do it all, from elevated concessions in our Bar and Grill to large conventions where we feed 10 to 2,500 people. Our high-quality food and beverage program is created in-house by an experienced and creative team.”

In short, SCC doesn’t just serve food – it creates experiences guests remember long after the plates are cleared.

Anime Ohio, also known as the Ohio Anime Expo, returns to the Sharonville Convention Center July 11–13, 2025. The three-day event celebrates anime, manga, cosplay, gaming, and Japanese pop culture, drawing fans from across the region for a weekend filled with immersive experiences.

Guests can explore a bustling vendor hall and artist alley featuring original artwork, collectibles, crafts, and hard-to-find anime merchandise. Voice actors from popular anime series will be on hand to sign autographs and take part in Q&A panels. Additional programming includes workshops, gaming rooms, interactive sessions, and fan panels that cover a wide range of interests within the anime and gaming communities.

One of the most popular features of Anime Ohio is its cosplay contest, where attendees are encouraged to dress as their favorite characters and showcase their creativity and craftsmanship. Children under 10 receive free admission with a paid adult, making the event accessible for families.

The convention runs Friday from 4 to 9 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. With easy access and free parking at the Sharonville Convention Center, Anime Ohio offers a fun, local way to experience the excitement of anime and fandom culture close to home.

The 42nd annual Greater Cincinnati Numismatic Exposition—known to collectors as the Cincy Coin Show—returns to the Sharonville Convention Center July 25–26, 2025. This longstanding event, hosted by the Cincinnati Numismatic Association, is the largest coin show in the tri-state region and a must-visit for anyone interested in coins, currency, or collecting history.

With 125 dealer tables featuring U.S. and world coins, paper money, numismatic literature, and supplies, the show offers something for both serious collectors and curious newcomers. Admission and parking are free, making it an accessible way to explore the fascinating world of numismatics.

Attendees can expect engaging educational sessions, a grading service booth from ANACS, raffles, and even live demonstrations. One standout feature of past shows—Osborne Coinage’s Civil War-era coin dies and a costumed Abraham Lincoln reenactor—is expected to return, offering a unique, interactive experience for history buffs and families alike.

A special Early Bird session will be held the evening of Thursday, July 24, for those who want first access to the dealer floor. Entry for that session is $40 at the door.

Whether you’re hoping to complete your collection, learn more about coin grading, or simply enjoy a weekend of discovery, the Cincy Coin Show promises to be a highlight of the summer.

The Summer Gem and Jewelry Show is set to dazzle attendees from June 27–29, 2025, at the Sharonville Convention Center. This anticipated event gathers a diverse group of vendors offering an extensive selection of gems, minerals, crystals, pearls, beads, and handcrafted jewelry.

Whether you’re a seasoned collector, a jewelry enthusiast, or simply in search of a unique gift, the show promises something for everyone. Attendees can explore a variety of booths featuring one-of-a-kind pieces, engage with knowledgeable vendors, and even find materials for their own crafting projects.

Event Hours:
• Friday, June 27: 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
• Saturday, June 28: 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
• Sunday, June 29: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Admission: $6 for adults; children 12 and under enter free.

For more information, visit the Sharonville Convention Center’s event page.

The Beyond the Stars National Dance Competition is set to captivate audiences at the Sharonville Convention Center from June 15–21, 2025. This esteemed event gathers top dance studios and performers from across the country to compete in a week-long celebration of talent and dedication.

With categories spanning ballet, jazz, hip-hop, contemporary, and more, the competition offers a platform for dancers to shine on a national stage. Attendees can expect a vibrant atmosphere filled with dynamic performances, camaraderie, and the shared joy of dance.

The Sharonville Convention Center, known for its state-of-the-art facilities and commitment to excellence, provides the perfect backdrop for this grand event.

For more details and registration information, visit the official Beyond the Stars website: www.beyondthestars.com.