Conventions and Meetings
Louisville: Unconventionally Smart About Conventions.
In 2010/2011, the Louisville Convention &Visitors Bureau’s convention development department exceeded its sales goals in every category. Sales leads to potential new clients were up 3% and room nights were up 3% as well. On average, every convention delegate spends $965 while in Louisville.
Because of the unique, and state-of-the-art, characteristics of the Kentucky Exposition Center (KEC), 10 significantly large conventions have been retained. Each of these conventions average nearly 4,000 hotel rooms on its peak attendance night. The Bureau’s goal is to add at least one new citywide annual show at the Expo Center each year while retaining our existing client base. ABC Kids Expo will meet for the first time at KEC in September of 2011, making it the third largest convention in the city. They have signed a contract for 2012 with option years through 2020. With 15,000 attendees and 9,845 room nights, ABC Kids generates an estimated impact of $8,892,800. The National FFA Convention will return to Louisville in 2013, 2014, and 2015 generating 55,200 room nights with an economic impact of $40 million annually. Skills USA signed a six year contract with KEC to meet in Louisville 2015-2020 generating over 30,000 room nights annually with an economic impact of $8,645,000.
Louisville’s other convention center, the Kentucky International Convention Center (KICC), in 2010/2011 hosted 36 groups that utilized over 112,870 hotel rooms.
It’s not just about the size of our meeting facilities. We have the knowledge too. In partnership with the Kentucky State Fair Board staff, we use intellectual properties research and logistical analysis to align the needs of convention and trade show clients with the capabilities of the city’s two premier convention centers. The individual hotels in the area are also utilized for meeting space. This past year, in fact, we experienced a growth in single-property bookings. We expect growth in the small-meetings market – the sector driving the single-property bookings.
KICC Study RFP
 |
Kentucky International Convention Center Comprehensive Renovation StudyThe Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau in conjunction with the Kentucky State Fair Board is seeking proposals from qualified professionals for a comprehensive study to explore ways to enhance and/or expand the Kentucky International Convention Center. The intent of this study is to identify ways to bring KICC to a state-of–the-art facility both architecturally and functionally. |
Economic Impact Documents
 |
Eight Year Trends, Analysis & Projection Convention Pace Report1.5 Million Definite Room nights projected over the next 7 years. |
 |
Average Daily Rate & Hotel Occupany ReportHow Louisville's hotel average daily rate and occupany compares to its primary competitive cities. (Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Nashville) |
Convention Delegate Surveys
 |
2009/2010 Post Convention Evaluation Year End ResultsAggregation of all 2009/2010 post convention evaluations. |
|
2008/2009 Post Convention Evaluation Year End ResultsAggregation of all 2008/2009 post convention evaluations. |
 |
2008 Funeral Directors ReportsThe 2008 Funeral Directors Convention delegates assessment of the services provided by the city of Louisville, specifically, an assessment of safety, the airport, taxi service, restaurants, hotel stay, entertainment venues and local attractions. |
 |
2008 AP Reader ReportThe 2008 AP Reader delegates assessment of the services provided by the city of Louisville, specifically, an assessment of safety, the airport, taxi service, restaurants, hotel stay, entertainment venues and local attractions. |
 |
2007 West Louisville Appreciation Festival ReportThe 2007 West Louisville Appreciation Festival attendees assessment of the services provided by the city of Louisville, specifically, an assessment of safety, the airport, taxi service, restaurants, hotel stay, entertainment venues and local attractions. |
 |
2007 St. James Court Art Show ReportThe 2007 St. James Court Art Show attendees assessment of the services provided by the city of Louisville, specifically, an assessment of safety, the airport, taxi service, restaurants, hotel stay, entertainment venues and local attractions. |
 |
2007 Senior Games ReportThe 2007 Senior Games participants assessment of the services provided by the city of Louisville, specifically, an assessment of safety, the airport, taxi service, restaurants, hotel stay, entertainment venues and local attractions. |
 |
2007 Recreation Vehicle Industry Association ReportThe 2007 Recreation Vehicle Industry Association Convention delegates assessment of the services provided by the city of Louisville, specifically, an assessment of safety, the airport, taxi service, restaurants, hotel stay, entertainment venues and local attractions. |
 |
2007 Mid-America Trucking Show ReportThe 2007 Mid-America Trucking Show Convention delegates assessment of the services provided by the city of Louisville, specifically, an assessment of safety, the airport, taxi service, restaurants, hotel stay, entertainment venues and local attractions. |
 |
2007 Green Industry&Equipment Expo ReportThe 2007 Green Industry & Equipment Expo Convention delegates assessment of the services provided by the city of Louisville, specifically, an assessment of safety, the airport, taxi service, restaurants, hotel stay, entertainment venues and local attractions. |
|
2007 Post Convention Evaluation Year End ResultsAggregation of all 2007 post convention evaluations. |
 |
2006 Recreation Vehicle Industry Association ReportThe 2007 Recreation Vehicle Industry Association Convention delegates assessment of the services provided by the city of Louisville, specifically, an assessment of safety, the airport, taxi service, restaurants, hotel stay, entertainment venues and local attractions. |
