News

Sunday, May 12th

3:00 pm- 5:00 pm

Jazz Alley, a first-floor corridor in the Glass City Center will continue its series of FREE Jazz concerts.

These concerts welcome the local community and visitors to Toledo into a newly activated space at the intersection of Jazz and public art paying honor and memorial to two of Toledo’s famous Jazz clubs and the musicians who called them home. With murals and photo collages created by local artists Rachel Richardson and Yusuf Lateef, Jazz Alley is a new space for performances and events.

On May 12th, we will celebrate Mother’s Day with Sixth Edition. This group consists of some of Toledo’s most loved singers and musicians and brings vocal Jazz and a musical combo to favorite songs and new arrangements.

LIVE! At Jazz Alley is partly sponsored by the Musicians Performance Trust Fund and the Trompeter Foundation with support from ConnecToledo and media sponsor BCAN. This community offering is free and open to the public. Food and refreshments will be available for sale at The Bench in Jazz Alley.

LIVE! at Jazz Alley is brought to you by Rachel Richardson Productions.

For more information contact:

Rachel Richardson

419-810-5804

shesings22@gmail.com

---

An Afternoon with Jean and Lisa Holden : March 2, 2024 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Glass City Center ,405 Jefferson Ave Toledo, OH 43604

LIVE at Jazz Alley- Inaugural Event

Jazz Alley, a first-floor corridor in the Glass City Center will come alive with a free Jazz concert from Jean and Lisa Holden. This event will mark inaugural programming welcoming the local community and visitors to Toledo into a newly activated space at the intersection of Jazz and public art paying honor and memorial to two of Toledo’s famous Jazz clubs and the musicians who called them home. With murals and photo collages created by local artists Rachel Richardson and Yusuf Lateef, Jazz Alley is a new space for performances and events.

This event will highlight Women’s History Month and Black History Month by featuring Black Woman Owned businesses as vendors in the space during a concert given by Toledo’s First Lady of Song, Jean Holden (https://jeanholden.com/). She will be accompanied by her daughter, Lisa Holden, on the piano, Norm Damschroder on bass, and Scott Kretzer on drums.

This event is partly sponsored by the Musicians Performance Trust Fund, generous private donors, and media sponsor BCAN. This community offering is free and open to the public. Food and refreshments will be available for sale at The Bench in Jazz Alley.

Featured Black Woman Owned Business vendors

OptiGo by Twix ‘N’ Between :https://www.twixnbetween.com/

SOrganics : https://sonia-organics.com/

Callisto Terra : https://www.callistoterra.com/

LaVonda Josett Photography :https://www.lavondajosett.com/

For more information contact:

Rachel Richardson

419-810-5804

shesings22@gmail.com

---

Destination Toledo is excited to welcome the Ohio Craft Brewers Association to Toledo for their 2024 Ohio Craft Brewers Conference, January 16-18. The ninth annual event will bring around 700 brewers and industry professionals to the Glass City Center for three days of seminars, speakers, vendor connections, and networking opportunities focused on the growing craft beer industry in Ohio.

“We are excited for Toledo to host the 2024 Ohio Craft Brewers Conference,” says Nick Anderson, Relationship Manager at Destination Toledo. “With so many highly regarded breweries across the state, it’s an honor to have our local craft brewery community in the spotlight as we host this year’s conference. The craft beer industry is built on creativity and comradery, so having the chance for brewers to network, compare notes, and share a beer (or two) in our city is a fantastic opportunity.”

The Ohio Craft Brewers Association was founded as a not-for-profit organization in 2008 to unify the Ohio brewing community, market Ohio manufactured beers throughout the state and beyond, and monitor and promote a strong beer industry in Ohio. The Ohio Craft Brewers Association also organizes statewide events that showcase the rich brewing industry and stellar beers being produced in Ohio.

“Industry professionals from around the state gather at the Ohio Craft Brewers Conference to learn about various aspects of the business of brewing beer,” says Mary MacDonald, of the Ohio Craft Brewers Association. “One of our primary criteria for selecting a venue is the number of breweries in proximity to our site for attendees to visit and support. We are delighted that the growth of the Toledo craft beer scene and the renovation of the Glass City Center have coincided to bring our event to Toledo.”

About Destination Toledo Destination Toledo is the Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) for the greater Toledo region and is the driving force behind supporting the local economy through tourism. Lucas County's travel and tourism industry currently welcomes 15.9 million visitors each year, driving $1.5 billion in visitor spending.

---

Destination Toledo is excited to announce that the Glass City Center and Huntington Center have both recently received their Certified Autism Center (CAC) designation, joining Destination Toledo’s initiative to make Toledo a Certified Autism Destination . The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) grants this prestigious credential to organizations that prove their ongoing commitment to creating an environment that welcomes, includes, and accommodates autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals. To become a CAC, the Glass City Center and Huntington Center teams completed a comprehensive training and certification process to ensure they are equipped with the skills, resources and understanding of the best practices for accommodating autistic and sensory-sensitive travelers and their families.

“Our teams at Glass City Center and Huntington Center are committed to providing all of our guests with an outstanding experience,” says Steve Miller, General Manager at Glass City Center and Huntington Center. “Individuals with autism and their families are searching for activities and attractions that have their well-being in mind, and we want them to safely and enjoyably experience all of the exciting events happening at our venues.”

By completing the CAC program, Glass City Center and the Huntington Center join the greater Destination Toledo initiative to achieve the Certified Autism Destination (CAD) designation, which IBCCES awards to communities with a multitude of trained and certified lodging, recreation, and entertainment options. Other organizations that have completed the CAC program as part of this initiative include Destination Toledo, Toledo Express Airport, Valentine Theatre, Sylvania Chamber, Avenues for Autism, Boyd’s Retro Candy, Wingate by Wyndham Sylvania/Toledo, Toledo Speedway BMX, and Toledo Museum of Art, with other organizations in the area in the process of completion.

“Having some of our area’s most beloved and most frequently visited venues become Certified Autism Centers is key to helping us reach our goal of making Toledo a Certified Autism Destination and welcoming an underserved market of individuals and families with sensory needs,” says Lance Woodworth, President and CEO of Destination Toledo. “When we’re mindful of the needs of our guests, we’re not only making memorable and positive memories for them, but we’re also improving the quality of life for everyone who lives, learns, works, and plays in Toledo.”

About Destination Toledo Destination Toledo is the Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) for the greater Toledo region and is the driving force behind supporting the local economy through tourism. Lucas County's travel and tourism industry currently welcomes 15.9 million visitors each year, driving $1.5 billion in visitor spending.

---

Toledo Ohio, August 21, 2023 --- Steve Miller, general manager,announced that the expanded and renovated Glass City Center has enjoyed an exciting and eventful first year that exceeded expectations. “Dozens of events and hundreds of positive reviews later, the almost $70 million investment is creating positive energy throughout the community and helping position downtown Toledo as a great place to meet.”

Glass City Center has emerged as a top destination for gatherings and events of all sorts. Since the ribbon-cutting on August 25, 2022, GCC had 192 event days, hosting meetings, conventions, tradeshows, public events, competitions and banquets with an estimated 150,000 guests enjoying its contemporary elegance, artworks and first class service.

“The major expansion and renovation has been a real game-changer for us” added Carol Dupuis, director of sales. “This beautiful facility is now state-of-the-art in every way and our experienced, dedicated staff is focused on exceeding customer expectations. Meeting and event planners have been thrilled to learn what Glass City Center in downtown Toledo can offer and having 550 first class hotel rooms nearby is a real plus.”

Formerly SeaGate Centre, the facility was re-branded after its $70 million expansion and renovation to reflect Toledo’s reputation as “Glass Capital of the World”. Glass City Center features a 75,000 square foot column-free Expo Hall, 28 smart-technology conference rooms, an elegant 16,000 square foot Grand Ballroom, an outdoor terrace overlooking Fifth Third Field, the downtown skyline and much more. Learn more at GlassCityCenter.com.

---

February 16, 2022

TOLEDO, OH - The Board of Lucas County Commissioners and executives from ProMedica today announced the rebranding of SeaGate Centre in downtown Toledo to Glass City Center to focus attention and marketing efforts on the building’s $60 million expansion and renovation. The new website address will be GlassCityCenter.com

Toledo has long been recognized as “the glass capital of the world” and ProMedica selected Glass City after it obtained the naming rights for its support of this major community project. “We are proud to play an important role in the major upgrade of this facility and reinforce the resurgence of business, entertainment, and overall vitality in downtown,” said Randy Oostra, President and CEO of ProMedica. “Toledo’s current momentum is impressive and will continue to generate opportunities that help to ensure a stronger economic future across our region.”

Major funding for the project was arranged by the Lucas County Commissioners. “The need for major improvements and expansion of this 35-year-old facility has existed for some time. This ambitious project will make Toledo a top choice of planners for conventions, exhibitions, events and more,” said Gary L. Byers, President of the Board of Commissioners. “With other important and attractive developments such as the new Hilton Garden Inn & Homewood Suites, we have created a more vibrant, exciting, attractive downtown area. This investment promises to bring over $800 million in economic activity in our community over the next 20 years and double our visitor attendance to 200,000 people annually.”

“Because the lead time for booking major events, exhibits and meetings is often 12 to 36 months or more, it was important to introduce the new name as soon as possible to help us tell the story of this major project and build awareness of our new brand,” said Steve Miller, general manager of Glass City Center and Huntington Center. “The Glass City Center logo features a bold, abstract icon suggesting both strength and movement and reflecting the dynamic growth of Toledo’s downtown.” The core of the expansion is an all-new 16,000 square foot ballroom, which is expected to be completed in August 2022. Additional upgrades throughout the 400,000 square foot facility will continue through 2022 and will include major upgrades to lighting, decor and the introduction of significant artwork and Toledo-centered displays.

---