Annual Repor t 2025
Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority
Message From the Chairman
The strides we are making in FY2025 are not accidental. They are the culmination of deliberate strategic planning and collaboration that have been years in the making. From maximizing partnerships with local stakeholders to aligning our major event pipeline, we are now seeing tangible results that position Huntington Place and the City of Detroit to compete at the highest levels in the global meetings and events marketplace.
A defining milestone in this effort is the groundbreaking of the new JW Marriott Detroit Water Square, a 25 story, 600-room luxury hotel that will be directly connected to Huntington Place via a pedestrian skybridge. This transformative development will bring more than
50,000 square feet of meeting and event space, world class amenities, and expanded lodging capacity directly adjacent to our convention center, elevating Detroit’s ability to attract larger and more complex conventions than ever before.
At the same time, significant infrastructure enhancements, including the extension of Second Avenue and critical capital improvements inside our convention center, reinforce a broader vision of accessibility and experience for event organizers and attendees alike.
We are also encouraged to see headline events and attendance figures return to, and in some cases exceed, pre-pandemic levels through strategic, targeted sales efforts and strong regional partnerships. These outcomes validate the investments we have made and confirm that our market is resonating with planners and visitors.
FY2025 will be remembered as the year that catalyzed some of the most impactful changes Huntington Place and Detroit have ever seen, a year in which we did not just recover, but accelerated past our competitors. The integration of world class facilities, premier hospitality assets, and collaborative regional leadership will propel our momentum well into the future.
Claude Molinari DRCFA Chairman
Celebrating Our Success
Huntington Place continues to be a powerful driver of economic growth for Detroit and the State of Michigan. In FY2025, the venue hosted 133 events, welcoming more than 746,000 attendees and generating over 93,000 hotel room nights for the region.
OTHER MY COUNTIES
TOTAL
Other major events included the Detroit Auto Show, Detroit Boat Show, American Association of Geographers, Automate, Siemens Realize LIVE, and the unforgettable Rocket Mortgage 40th Anniversary celebration, which brought thousands together for one of the most memorable events of the year.
Beyond hosting events, the Huntington Place team remained active on the road, building relationships and promoting Detroit as a premier meetings destination. Our team
$13,103,822 $13,187,440 $8,590,043 $39,156,016 $74,037,321
Through these events, the Convention Facility Development Fund has grown to $74,037,321, supporting communities across the state. The tri-county region of Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties received $34,881,305, reinforcing the vital role Huntington Place plays in delivering economic benefit both locally and statewide.
FY2025 featured a strong lineup of major events that drew visitors from around the country and around the world. The Battery Show delivered record-breaking attendance, further cementing Detroit’s leadership in advanced mobility and electrification.
participated in key global and national industry gatherings including PCMA Convening Leaders, the SISO CEO Summit, IMEX Frankfurt, IMEX America in Las Vegas, ASAE, IAEE, MMPI, and Meetings Michigan.
Huntington Place remains committed to attracting world-class events, generating economic impact, and showcasing Detroit on the global stage. The momentum continues as we look ahead to another strong year.
The direct spending in FY2025 includes operating, labor, capital project expenditures and joint ventures. Over 95% of the total dollars were spent in the State of Michigan.
Across the State of Michigan
Total Direct Spending $115,611,365
$66,110,188
$7,067,328
$27,630,947
MI Counties $2,670,839 Out of State $5,805,260 Wayne Excluding Detroit $6,326,803
KPI’S
Over the past year, Huntington Place has demonstrated the power of a truly unified, building-wide team effort; bringing together all departments to deliver an exceptional level of performance, professionalism, and hospitality. This collective approach enabled the successful execution of more than 180 events, welcoming 100’s of thousands of guests and generating more than $10 million in revenue. These results are a direct reflection of a culture rooted in collaboration, where teams work seamlessly to anticipate needs, solve challenges, and create memorable experiences. That commitment is further evidenced by an outstanding 80% event return rate and an NPS score exceeding 90%, underscoring consistently high guest satisfaction. At Huntington Place, every successful event is the result of one team working together; driving continued growth and reinforcing the venue’s reputation as one of the nation’s premier convention destinations
Marketing Impact
In FY2025, Huntington Place continued to expand its visibility through strong media and digital coverage. Media tracking recorded 10,855 total mentions, reaching an audience of more than 15.8 billion and generating $173.1 million in publicity value.
Coverage spanned television, radio, online outlets, podcasts, and social media—helping amplify the stories of the events, community initiatives, and milestones happening at Huntington Place while further elevating Detroit’s presence on the global stage.
Impact Metrics
A Thriving Community
Community impact remains central to the mission of Huntington Place. This year, that commitment was recognized on a national stage when the venue received the Neighborhood Hero Award at the Legends Global Marketing Conference, standing out among more than 300 venues across the country.
Our partnership with the City of Detroit and the surrounding community continues to be one of our greatest strengths. In FY2025, Huntington Place maintained many of its ongoing initiatives, including food donations to Forgotten Harvest and partnering with the Detroit Police “Good Boys” unit to deliver holiday gifts to children in need.
The year also brought new opportunities to connect with the community. Huntington Place hosted a Furfluencer event that raised awareness and support for our canine officers and celebrated Earth Day by planting shrubs that will grow into a beautiful butterfly garden along the riverfront.
At the end of the day, the people of Detroit are the reason Huntington Place succeeds. We remain committed to showing our appreciation and strengthening our community whenever the opportunity arises.
2025 Events
Guest Experience
“The whole team is wonderful to work with from start to finish. From the sales process to onsite execution, our event team can trust that Huntington Place is on top of things. Any minor issues that occurred were handled quickly. The entire team at Huntington Place is friendly and helpful.”
-Motion + Power Technology Expo
“The entire team at HP has provided exceptional service, listened to our needs as show mgmt, and adapted their plans to accommodate us every step of the way. The improvement from year 1 to year 2 was excellent across the board.”
-The Battery Show/Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Technology Expo
“Right from the start the teams at Huntington have always felt like a partner as opposed to treating us like a client.”
-Belle Tire Leadership Summit
Employee Engagement
Employee engagement remained a key priority at Huntington Place in FY2025. Throughout the year, the team hosted more than 20 employee-focused events designed to bring staff together, strengthen connections across departments, and celebrate the people who make our success possible.
New initiatives included an all-staff QR code scavenger hunt, a spirited Office Olympics, and a completely revamped Holiday Party that created new
Jacob Cafeo
opportunities for employees to connect and have fun together.
The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with many long-time employees sharing that—even after 30 years or more at Huntington Place—they feel more engaged, recognized, and appreciated than ever before. These efforts continue to strengthen the culture that makes Huntington Place such a special place to work.
Rose Award Nominees
Jacob continues to demonstrate his commitment to exceptional customer service through his proactive and detail-oriented approach.
Jackie Zieter
Jackie exemplifies what it means to provide exceptional customer service through her dedication and work ethic.
Luveart Clark
Luveart is one of the steadiest and positive team members we have. She always has a smile, proactively greets guests and assists in any way she can.
Eric Perry
Mr. Perry has been with the production department for over 29 years and counting, he is always willing to help and train all new members to our team.
Katrina Lyons
Katrina Lyons is a proud ambassador of Detroit, embodying the ambitious spirit and resilience that define the city’s resurgence.
Brian Burkart
Brian consistently goes above and beyond in assisting event customers. His attentiveness and proactive attitude exemplify outstanding customer service.
Workforce Stability on the Rise
Our commitment to strengthening workplace culture and operational excellence is paying off. Over the past three years, employee retention has climbed dramatically—from 50.5% in 2023, to 77.1% in 2024, and reaching an impressive 95.9% in 2025. This steady upward trajectory reflects the success of our investments in leadership
development, employee engagement, and creating an environment where people want to build their careers.
The result is a more experienced, stable, and connected team—positioning us to deliver even stronger results for our guests, partners, and community.
Strategic Workforce Optimization
In 2025, Huntington Place implemented a targeted labor strategy that delivered measurable financial and operational results. By reducing reliance on contract labor and strategically expanding part-time staffing across Environmental Services, Production, and Parking, the team achieved $240,178 in labor savings while maintaining full operational coverage.
This approach improved staffing flexibility, reduced exposure to contract labor volatility, and strengthened the organization’s ability to scale workforce coverage to meet event demand. The results demonstrate how intentional workforce planning can drive meaningful cost efficiencies while continuing to deliver the high level of service expected at one of the nation’s premier convention centers.
Investing in Professional Excellence
Professional growth remains a cornerstone of our culture. In 2025, Becky Bixby, Executive Director of Venue Operations, and Elliott Bowman , Senior Event Manager, earned the Certified Venue Professional (CVP) designation through the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM)—one of the most respected credentials in the venue management industry.
The CVP recognizes leaders who demonstrate exceptional expertise in venue operations, event management, and guest experience. Achieving this designation reflects a strong commitment to continuous learning and industry leadership, while further strengthening the expertise that drives our organization’s continued success.
Westside Expansion
FY2025 marked significant progress toward strengthening Detroit’s convention infrastructure with the development of a new 600-room convention hotel on the former Joe Louis Arena site. The Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority (DRCFA) previously approved a $150 million investment, securing a 49% ownership stake in the project in partnership with Detroit-based Sterling Group.
During the year, the project officially moved from planning into construction. Crews broke ground on Second Street, marking a major milestone as work began preparing the site for vertical development. Huntington Place also hosted a steel beam signing ceremony, where partners and stakeholders gathered to celebrate the progress and leave their mark on the future structure before it was lifted into place. The hotel is scheduled to open in early 2027, just ahead of major events including the 2027 NCAA Men’s Final Four, and will play a critical role in strengthening Detroit’s ability to attract large, citywide conventions.
Once completed, the property will be directly connected to Huntington Place via a pedestrian skybridge, providing seamless access for convention attendees and event organizers.
The development is expected to recoup the Authority’s initial investment within four years of operation and generate between $6 million and $10 million annually thereafter. In addition to supporting Huntington Place’s competitive position in the meetings and conventions market, the project represents a major step forward in Detroit’s continued economic growth and hospitality development.
Assets
Cash and Equivalents
Accounts Receivable & Other
Assets Investment in Joint Venture
Assets, net
The return of the Detroit Auto Show to its traditional January timeframe helped the DRCFA return to profitability.
Income Statement Highlights
State Operating Subsidy
& Other Revenues
Non-Operating Revenues (Expenses)
Depreciation Expense
Expense
Non-Operating Revenues (Expenses)
($12,694,379) $8,207,853 ($23,813,460) ($1,109,085) $1,800,777 ($27,608,294) ($27,748,516) $29,524,669 $1,776,153
Capital Improvements & Infrastructure Enhancements
Transitioned from heavy wood tables to lightweight aluminum tables
Increased guest seating with the addition of benches throughout the venue
Replaced executive office chairs in multiple meeting rooms
Upgraded outdoor furniture, including the addition of ADA-accessible tables
Completed a comprehensive Facility Condition Assessment
Installed temperature sensors in exhibit halls to improve energy efficiency
Repaired all electrical floor ports in exhibit halls
Enhanced IT infrastructure with new core switches
Reconditioned six walk-in coolers/freezers and installed a new walk-in freezer
Installed three Level-2 EV chargers capable of charging six vehicles in the Washington garage
Venue Development & Expansion
Broke ground on the 2nd Avenue project, marked by a Beam Signing event
Received approval for the Skybridge project design and budget
Installed a Better+ vending machine offering guests convenient access to pharmaceutical and healthcare items
Opened the Amazon “Just Walk Out” concept store, Motor City Mart