19th Annual Great Miami Riverway Summit to Be Held April 24 in Hamilton, Ohio

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 19, 2026

19th Annual Great Miami Riverway Summit to Be Held April 24 in Hamilton, Ohio

“Reimagining” theme highlights innovation, accessibility, tourism, and community connections along the 99-mile corridor

HAMILTON, Ohio — The 19th Annual Great Miami Riverway Summit will take place on April 24, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Fitton Center for Creative Arts in downtown Hamilton. This year’s theme, “Reimagining,” invites leaders, businesses, advocates, and residents to explore bold and innovative approaches to shaping the future of communities along the Great Miami River.

Hosted by the Great Miami Riverway, a program of the Miami Conservancy District, the Summit brings together stakeholders from across the 99+ mile river corridor to share ideas, build partnerships, and accelerate momentum for riverfront revitalization.

The 2026 Summit will focus on reimagining:

• Riverfronts and natural spaces
• Recreation, tourism, and cultural vitality
• The built environment and infrastructure
• Connections across communities
• Accessibility, resiliency, and adaptive recreation

“This Summit is about what’s next,” said Ginger Clark, Manager of the Great Miami Riverway. “Communities along the Riverway are growing, gathering, and working together to activate river corridors in ways that drive economic development, improve quality of life, and protect the natural assets that define our region.”

Featured Sessions and Speakers

The day’s tentative agenda includes:

• Keynote Address: Citizen-led neighborhood initiative “17 Strong” – Places Need People
• Riverway Rapid Share: Quick-hit updates highlighting transformative projects across the corridor
• Tourism & Economic Impact: Sarah Wickham, State of Ohio Tourism Director, on how activated river corridors drive community transformation
• Accessibility & Adaptive Recreation: Board Safe Docks and Travel Butler County on building accessible, resilient docks and launching the Wheels to the World initiative
• Trail Safety Roundtable: Experts discuss the emerging challenges of overpowered e-bikes on shared-use trails
• Adaptive Reuse Panel: Companies such as COhatch, 80 Acres Farms, and Spooky Nook Sports share how vacant buildings have been transformed into economic engines along the riverfront

The Summit will also feature the return of the ORSANCO Life Below the Water Line exhibit, offering an up-close look at aquatic species found in the Great Miami River.

Local catering by Two Women in a Kitchen will provide creative breakfast and lunch stations, encouraging networking and exploration of the Fitton Center’s gallery spaces throughout the day.

A Legacy of Regional Collaboration

The first Great Miami River Summit was co-hosted in 2008 by the Miami Conservancy District and the University of Dayton. Since then, the annual Summit has become a signature event for advancing a shared vision of the river as an economic driver, unifying force, and competitive advantage for Southwest Ohio.

Today, the Great Miami Riverway includes more than 99 miles of paved trails and connected communities where residents and visitors can paddle, cycle, explore historic downtowns, and experience vibrant riverfronts.

Event Details

Date: April 24, 2026

Time: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Location: Fitton Center for Creative Arts, 101 South Monument Avenue, Hamilton, OH 45011

Tickets are now available here. A special lodging rate is being offered for Summit attendees at The Well House Hotel in downtown Hamilton for the night before and night of the event.

For tickets and updates, visit the Great Miami Riverway website or follow Great Miami Riverway on social media.

About the Great Miami Riverway
The Great Miami Riverway is a regional destination in Southwest Ohio encompassing more than 99 miles of paved trails and connected communities. Convened by the Miami Conservancy District, the Riverway supports safe living, working, and recreation along the Great Miami River while advancing economic development and regional collaboration.