MeetNKY, Visit Cincy launch Cincy 7 initiative to highlight people, places, experiences across region

Visit Cincy and MeetNKY are launching the Cincy 7, a new initiative highlighting the iconic experiences that make the Cincy Region a unique destination through the eyes of local residents.

The storytelling campaign hands the microphone directly to seven hand-picked local ambassadors across key cultural pillars for their connection to the region. Each member of the Cincy 7 will bring their own personality and perspectives from their area of passion and expertise, sharing the places they love, experiences they recommend and a local take on what visitors shouldn’t miss:

“We wanted a creative and fresh way to tell the bigger story of our destination,” said Julie Kirkpatrick, president and CEO of MeetNKY and interim president and CEO of Visit Cincy. “The Cincy Region is 52 neighborhoods and 36 cities spanning one river and two states, all coming together to make up one amazing Cincy that is worth the visit. That’s where the Cincy 7 comes in.”

The focus on these seven arts, entertainment and cultural categories comes at a time when the Cincy Region is earning attention well beyond the region. Michelin recently added Cincinnati to its growing list of culinary destinations, while BLINK has grown into one of the nation’s largest public art and light events. The region’s major league teams and sporting events continue to draw fans from across the country, and organizations like ArtsWave and 1001 Colors continue to elevate the arts community across both sides of the river on a national and international scale. This summer, Omega Psi Phi brought tens of thousands of attendees to the region while the 2026 Cincinnati Music Festival led to an 89% occupancy rate for hotels in the region, generating significant economic impact for the local economy.

“Our region’s momentum is undeniable, but while our world-class events and attractions help to entice visitors, the heart of the Cincy Region has always been its people,” said Kirkpatrick. “The Cincy 7 initiative allows us to translate that national spotlight into personal, on-the-ground experiences guided by the locals who know and love this region best and the real reason people tend to come back to visit us.”

The Cincy 7 will share favorite finds, recommendations and experiences on their social media platforms that visitors may not discover on their own. Content will then be shared across Cincy Region social channels, further expanding the reach and giving travelers even more reasons to explore and discover what’s happening on both sides of the river.

More about the Cincy 7:

Marisa Contipelli: Born and raised in Cleveland, with a stop in Columbus for undergrad and her first post-college job, Contipelli may not be a Cincinnati native, but she has called the tri-state area home since 2018 and is proud to call herself a Cincinnatian! Sports are at the heart of her everyday life and career. Contipelli co-hosts First Word on The Crown Network, bringing her passion and personality to the conversation around sports every weekday morning, while also serving as an In-Game Host for the Cincinnati Reds. One of her signature series is Contipelli’s Countdown, a “five things,” a fun reflection of her personality and her love of making sports information entertaining and approachable.

Freddy Mac: Mac is a Cincinnati transplant, originally from Maryland. He has called the Cincinnati region home for 6 years and currently lives in the Maineville/Montgomery area. Over the last 6 years, Cincinnati has become much more than just the place he lives. It’s a community where he really enjoys exploring and making his own. Music isn’t just his content pillar. It’s the soundtrack to his everyday life. From the moment he gets in the car for his morning commute, there’s music playing. Some of his favorite Cincinnati concert memories include seeing Common and Nas perform with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra at Music Hall, as well as PJ Morton at Memorial Hall. For Freddy, there’s nothing quite like seeing a great artist live, especially in some of Cincinnati’s incredible venues.

Dione Wu: Better known as Drinking Dining Dione, Wu was born in Dallas to Taiwanese parents and has called Ohio home since she was 4. She grew up in Columbus, Ohio, went to undergrad at Miami University (Love and Honor!) and made the move to Cincinnati in 2015 for her first post-college job. Food has always been a meaningful way of bringing people together, and Wu is a huge foodie who loves trying new-to-her places. She makes the most of her limited free time doing what she loves most – planning her next restaurant outing while balancing a busy career and family life.

Wes Mergard: Known as Travel with Wes, Mergard shares his adventures exploring destinations and the outdoors. The 37-year-old Cincinnati native travels frequently. He grew up on the West Side, went to UC, and has called Downtown home for more than a decade. He believes that Cincinnati has so much to offer in terms of outdoor spaces and events. A prominent natural feature for him is the Ohio River, the epicenter of everything that runs through Downtown. He likes spending time on BB Riverboats, riding a red bike across the Roebling Bridge into Covington, taking in city views overlooking the river from Mt. Echo and Devou Parks, and walking his dog to Smale Park. Mergard uses his drone to show off the city skyline and river. Two of his favorite events also showcase the river: Riverfest and Oktoberfest.

Pam Kravetz: Kravetz is a born, raised and living in Cincinnati native who grew up in Golf Manor and Kenwood. She currently resides in the vibrant and colorful neighborhood of Columbia Tusculum. There is no separation between who she is and being an artist; she lives out her passion for art through being part of the thriving Cincinnati art scene. From the incredible arts and yummy food scene to our beautiful parks, she hopes visitors will celebrate and become part of what makes the Cincy Region so magical.

Shawna Figgs: Figgs was born and raised in Cincinnati, growing up in Corryville and Avondale. This city has shaped so much of who she is, from earning both of her degrees at the University of Cincinnati to building her career, marriage and creative journey. As a lifestyle content creator, culture naturally shows up in her everyday life and work. Whether she’s covering local festivals, celebrating Black culture, trying a new restaurant, attending community events or capturing the city’s energy, she loves showing people what makes Cincinnati vibrant, welcoming and worth experiencing.

Andrew Maloney: Maloney is a Cincinnati native, born and raised on the city’s West Side in Sayler Park (Cincinnati’s Western Gateway). Today, he lives in the Central Business District in Downtown, where he loves being surrounded by the remarkable beauty, energy and history that living in the city has to offer. As a Realtor®, he is constantly immersed in Cincinnati’s story, from its beautiful historic architecture to the distinctive neighborhoods and the stories that make the entire region shine. One of his favorite things to do is uncover hidden gems and get lost in his own city. That passion inspired Maloney to create Saw it in Cincy, a series highlighting the people, places and experiences that make Cincinnati special.

Those interested in the Cincy 7 can follow them on their individual social media handles and learn more about them on Visit Cincy’s website. Events and attractions they’re promoting can always be found at VisitCincy.com for residents and visitors looking for all of the ways to enjoy the region.

MeetNKY