Destination Toledo reports growth, seeks flat county funding for 2026

Lance, representing Destination Toledo, presented the organization’s 2026 budget hearing and said the tourism promotion agency is requesting a flat county appropriation for the coming year while detailing marketing and sales achievements in 2025.

Lance said Destination Toledo’s team of 13 staff worked across group sales, relationship management, marketing communications and partnership advocacy to boost midweek business and land new, first-year events. He reported the group sales team exceeded an elevated 2025 target and delivered an estimated $43.1 million in economic impact from those bookings. Social media followers and web traffic also increased, and digital campaigns produced higher organic reach and engagement.

The presenter emphasized competition with larger Midwestern convention destinations and said continued investment in sales and facilities made recent event wins possible. Destination Toledo requested no additional county funding for 2026 and thanked commissioners for prior investments in convention and hotel infrastructure that, the agency said, supported its results.

Commissioners praised the agency’s work on midweek hotel demand, cruise-ship port partnerships and event recruitment. The presentation will be included in county budget deliberations.