annual report 2007 - Kentucky Exposition Center

ales & marketing
12
The Kentucky Exposition Center sales staff
continued to work with wing closures and
renovations throughout 2007. But with over
1.2 million square feet of indoor space on over
400 acres, meeting the individual needs of show
managers and exhibitors is a feasible task. As the
North Wing neared its October opening, the
excitement escalated as convention and tradeshow
managers scrambled to book the beautiful and
prestigious space. The North Wing is now booked
with events through 2020, indicating the increased
marketability the new Wing brings to the facility
with its addition of Class “A” exhibit space and
convenient amenities.
Though attendance experienced a slight decline of
9% during the year, 2007 was a successful year for
the Kentucky Exposition Center.
• The 2007 National Senior Games were held in
June and July. Over 22,000 athletes participated
in the events with an economic impact exceeding
$20 million.
• The Kentucky Exposition Center’s longest
running trade show, the Midwest Manufactured
Housing Federation, renewed their contract
through 2010. The show celebrates its 50th year
at the Kentucky Exposition Center in 2008.
The Kentucky International Convention Center
continues to provide prime space and service for
those looking for the beauty and convenience of
downtown Louisville. In 2007, the convention
center had its most financially successful year in
its history as net income increased over 100%
from $750,000 in 2006 to $1.6 million in 2007.
The convention center saw an increase in longterm
events utilizing large amounts of space
for a number of days, while in the past shortterm
bookings have been the facility’s fastestgrowing
sector. While the total number of events
experienced a slight decline, attendance was
up 29% due to the increased number of larger
conventions and trade shows.
Highlights for 2007
include successful
shows, renewed
contracts and exciting
new bookings.
• The Adventist-Laymen’s Services & Industries
2007 Convention and the Fraternal Order
of Police, Grand Lodge Biennial National
Conference were held at the convention center in
August with a combined economic impact over
$8 million.
• Over 452 religious meeting planners attended
the Religious Conference Managers Association
in January. These meeting planners book over
17,000 meetings annually and represent millions
of dollars in future bookings for both Fair Board
facilities.
• Freedom Hall hosted the 30th anniversary
McDonald’s All-American Basketball Games in
March. Over 12,000 tickets were sold and proceeds
benefited the Ronald McDonald House.
• The Louisville Boat, RV & Sportshow and the
National Quartet Convention celebrated their
50 year anniversaries at the expo center in 2007.
The staff members at the Kentucky International Convention Center have worked with us
for decades in the production of our annual conference, and have been consistently friendly
and responsive. All the coordinators are personable and demonstrate a sense of mission.
Our exhibitors often mention that they find the facility accommodating for their needs.
- John Stroube, Executive Director, Kentucky Music Educators Association