annual report 2007 - Kentucky Exposition Center

letters
Ernie Fletcher
Governor
Harold Workman
President and CEO
Thomas J. Schifano
Chairman
Dear Friends:
Dear Friends:
Congratulations to the Kentucky State Fair Board on yet
another year of “unbridled success” as evidenced in this
annual report. My appreciation goes to the board members
and staff whose dedication of time and effort make their
business a continued and unqualified success.
With the opening of the new North Wing, the Kentucky
Exposition Center continues to grow as the nation’s sixth
largest tradeshow and convention facility. The Kentucky
International Convention Center experienced its best
financial year ever and maintains its role as the centerpiece
of convention business in downtown Louisville. The
state commitment to both of these facilities continues to
pay dividends, as evidenced by the annual return of $453
million in economic impact for Louisville and the entire
Commonwealth. The North Wing, along with the newly
expanded South Wing C, is expected to increase the
Kentucky State Fair Board’s total economic impact to $600
million annually in the years to come.
Again, I commend the Kentucky State Fair Board and staff
for another outstanding business year.
Sincerely,
The 2007 Annual Report from the Kentucky State Fair Board outlines a year of
tremendous accomplishment and growth for both the Kentucky Exposition Center
and the Kentucky International Convention Center. Adapting to an Ever-Changing
World is an apt description of the past year’s events in the life of the two facilities.
The new North Wing, opened in October, brings the expo center’s class “A” exhibit,
meeting and public space to 885,000 square feet. Furthermore, with its most financially
successful year in its 30-year history, the Kentucky International Convention Center
is accommodating new and larger events in downtown Louisville.
Additionally, 2007 saw significant gains in the three shows produced by the Kentucky
State Fair Board. The Kentucky State Fair concert ticket sales increased to $1,798,260
– a 6 percent jump over 2006. This was highlighted by the largest grossing concert in
the fair’s history. The National Farm Machinery Show experienced its third largest
turnout in history. The North American International Livestock Exposition attracted
210,000 visitors and exhibitors from 48 states, five continents and 10 different
countries to Louisville, and hosted a record-setting 22,000 entries.
The Kentucky State Fair Board is a recognized success, and we continue to adapt to
accommodate the needs and exceed the expectations of our clients and guests. We
value leadership in the Executive Branch and the Kentucky General Assembly in the
support of our mission.
Sincerely,
Ernie Fletcher, Governor
Harold Workman, President and CEO
Thomas J. Schifano, Chairman