annual report 2007 - Kentucky Exposition Center

apital projects
6
North Wing Brings
Beauty and Business
to the Kentucky
Exposition Center
After 18 months of construction, the Kentucky
Exposition Center’s $55 million North Wing/
East Hall Reconstruction Project was officially
unveiled on October 18. The reconstruction
transformed 215,000 square feet of exhibit space
into Class “A” space, replacing 96 columns with
eight and elevating ceiling heights to 27 feet.
The Kentucky Exposition Center now boasts
an impressive 885,000 square feet of Class “A”
public, meeting & exhibit space. Class “A” space
is highly coveted for its high ceilings, excellent
lighting, utility floorports, broadband and highspeed
connectivity and because it is virtually
column-free.
Another signature feature of the project is the
North Wing’s new Grand Lobby, which features
35,000 square feet of space and beautiful
terrazzo flooring. The reconstruction has also
made access throughout the facility even more
convenient with the addition of a pedway. The
second-floor skywalk connects patrons from the
North parking lots of the facility to the Grand
Lobby, providing easy access to various areas of
the facility.
The addition of Class “A” space allows the
expo center to become even more marketable
to tradeshows and conventions looking for this
prestigious space. The North Wing has quickly
garnered attention from the industry and is
currently being booked through 2020. The North
Wing, along with the newly expanded South
Wing C, is expected to increase the Kentucky
State Fair Board’s total economic impact from
$453 to $600 million annually.
We are thrilled with the facilities at the
Kentucky Exposition Center. Without the
North Wing, our move from Nashville to
Louisville would have been difficult. With
it, everything works as we were in need of
the growth the new North Wing allows.
We are very pleased with the new space.
- Bob Kendall, Cole Inc. owner,
Pumper & Cleaner Environmental Expo