The Cincinnati Regional Chamber has acquired ColdIron Events and Rentals (ColdIron), a Cincinnati-based leader in event production and equipment rentals, bringing together two powerhouse teams to serve businesses with the production expertise, innovation and rental equipment catalog that drive our region’s vibrant cultural experiences. The acquisition was finalized on January 5, 2026.
ColdIron, founded in 1983, has been a trusted Chamber and community partner for decades, supporting some of the region’s most well-known events with a complete catalog of rental equipment for events and organizations of any size. In addition, ColdIron produces eight community events each summer including wholly owned events like Bacon, Bourbon and Brew, Smoke on the River BBQ Fest and the Great Inland Seafood Festival.
The acquisition of ColdIron marks a significant milestone for the Chamber, with a twofold aim: ensuring the sustainability and growth of existing festivals and events and delivering added financial resources that will enable the Chamber to expand its mission driven work to grow the population, economy, and cultural vibrancy of the region.
Together, the combined organization will produce nearly 50 days of community events each year in both Ohio and Kentucky, employing nearly 120 people during festival season. The ColdIron Event Rentals team will operate as a subsidiary of the Chamber, continuing to offer top-of-the-line tents, tables, chairs, linens, stages, booths, dinnerware and catering equipment, and unique additions that bring events to life.
“By joining forces with ColdIron, we are creating one of our region’s most experienced and creative festival production teams that will serve our community. We are also diversifying our revenue model making it possible for the Chamber to invest even more in our mission to create a growing, thriving region where everyone belongs,” said Brendon Cull, President & CEO of the Cincinnati Regional Chamber.
“I could not be happier to see the company that we have built over forty-plus years become part of the Cincinnati Regional Chamber,” said Marc Wertheim, President & CEO of ColdIron Events and Rentals. “The ColdIron team takes great pride in creating events and experiences that the people of Ohio and Kentucky love, and we’re going to be able to do even more as we move forward together. Our rental equipment offerings are second to none, and with greater investment and connection to the region’s businesses, we’re looking forward to continued growth through this new structure.”
Acquisition Accelerates Chamber’s Growth Strategy and Mission
- Fuels the Mission for Regional Growth Initiatives: The acquisition of ColdIron, a successful business with diverse revenue and a track record of growth, allows the Chamber to invest in more strategic community initiatives, research, programming, talent attraction and retention efforts, regional marketing, and business services. The transaction will be accretive in year one and will immediately support the Chamber’s strategy efforts in the region.
- Strengthens Event Offerings: The Chamber team is well-known for producing and creating some of the region’s most beloved events, including Oktoberfest Zinzinnati (celebrating 50 years in 2026), Taste of Cincinnati, Asian Food Fest (in partnership with Asianati), and BLINK (returning for the fifth time to Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky in 2026). Adding new events and a strong team of producers at Coldiron allows for more innovation, growth, and experiences that people in our region will love.
- Offers New Benefits to Chamber Members, Partners, and Businesses in Region: The resources of ColdIron Event Rentals are vast: tents, chairs, linens, electric, booths, flooring, lighting, and more and will now be even more accessible to businesses and organizations in need of these items. The Chamber will connect its members and partners to these services in new ways, maximizing investments and creating new collaborations. By utilizing Coldiron, customers are now also supporting an organization that drives growth and vibrancy in our region.
- Vertical Integration of a Key Partner: The Chamber has partnered with ColdIron for nearly 30 years, and integrating its services and offerings will create significant production-related efficiencies for Chamber operations as well as Coldiron event operations.
“It was clear from the beginning that this was a natural fit. The team at ColdIron impresses me every year through their diligence, hard work, creativity, and resourcefulness,” said Cull. “All of us kept saying that we could do so much more together, and we can’t wait to share what we have in the works.”
“This is both a bold move for the Chamber and natural fit from a strategic perspective. Our Executive Committee was enthusiastic and unanimous in its support of the transaction,” said Jim Watkins, President and CEO of Triversity and Chair of the Cincinnati Regional Chamber Board of Directors. “The Chamber team knows how to make big things happen for our community and this provides the opportunity to do so much more to promote growth in our region.”
“This makes good business and strategic sense,” said Leigh Fox, President and CEO of altafiber, and former Board Chair of the Cincinnati Chamber. “The Chamber is at the center of so much in our region, connecting the organizations and leaders that drive the growth, business, arts, talent, and culture in our community. This acquisition strengthens that position and will have benefits to our community for years to come.”