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MEETING IN "THE BOURBON STATE" PROVIDES A DIFFERENT TYPE OF SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY BY CLETUS RAMSEY If you're looking for a winning destina- tion for your next meeting or convention, Kentucky is a sure bet! Widely known for its horses, bourbon and breathtaking out- doors, the Bluegrass State also blends quality facilities and hospitality with some of the best travel experiences and attrac- tions in the world. Combine that with unmatched customer service, and a meet- ing in Kentucky is sure to impress atten- dees and planners alike. • • LOUISVILLE • • Louisville is a city that combines her- itage with innovation, authenticity with originality, and quirkiness with friendliness in a way that's completely unique to this region. The culture here is an entirely different type of Southern. With a booming bour- bon renaissance, iconic attractions, world- class hotels & venues and a renowned culinary scene, Louisville is an experience like no other city. Louisville has not one, but TWO con- vention centers: one adjacent to the air- port and one in the center of down- town. They are the Kentucky International Convention Center and the Kentucky Exposition Center. These ven- ues are complimented with the KFC Yum! Center, a multi-purpose arena located downtown. Louisville has more than 150 hotels and over 20,000 rooms in the metro area, from boutique to budget-friendly – so it's easy to find one that meets your needs. Louisville would not be the creative, innovative, passionate city that it is with- out its Black community. For so many things that make Louisville unique- from Bourbon, to horse racing, to food tradi- tions and even the Greatest himself, Muhammad Ali - countless people of color have contributed their gifts to build the city's vibrant culture. The past can be complex and sometimes hard to imagine through a modern lens. We all benefit from learning a destination's complete history. "The Falls City" welcomes travel- ers to discover it's Black Heritage. Be sure to con- tact Louisville Tour- ism's president CEO Cleo Battle if you are contemplating bringing an event to Louisville. He and his crack team will provide you all of the sup- port you need to make your meeting there a success. • • PADUCAH • • Located at the heart of America's inland waterways, and an easy drive from just about anywhere, Paducah offers its natural beauty and small-town charm as the perfect place to gather loved ones. With a host of unique ven- ues, world-class culinary offerings and attractions for a variety of interests, Paducah is waiting to be the home of your next business meeting, reunion or dream wedding. The Paducah McCracken County Convention & Expo Center is convenient- ly located in Historic Downtown with a full-service convention hotel just steps away. A variety of smaller venues range from historic spaces, hotels and beautiful parks to high-tech performing arts ven- ues that are adaptable to your needs. With globally celebrated creative culture, Paducah's amenities make it a memo- rable destination for meetings and your next convention or trade show! WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Paducah Creative City – (800) 723-8224 www.paducah.travel.com • • LEXINGTON • • Lexington's easy-to-get-to location, first-class facilities and unique attractions make this destination an appealing option for conventions and meetings of all sizes and types. The city offers 12 convention hotels within a 15 minute drive of the air- port and downtown, and more than 9,000 hotel rooms. Conveniently located in the heart of downtown Lexington, the Central Bank Center is equipped with 200,000 sq. ft. of flexible convention and event space; 100,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space with four halls, 29,000 sq. ft. of meeting space with fourteen rooms, 24,300 sq. ft. of ballroom space with three rooms as well as 55,000 sq. ft. of club and flexible space. WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Visit Lex – (800) 845-3959 www.visitlex.com AREA GUIDES K E N T U C K Y B M & T ••• March/April 2024 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 65 • • • STATS • • • HOTEL ROOMS Hyatt Regency Louisville 393 Omni Louisville Hotel 612 Residence Inn by Marriott Louisville Downtown 140 EXHIBITION FACILITIES Kentucky International Convention Center Total Space 304,000 sq. ft. Largest Hall 76,500 sq. ft. Largest Ballroom 40,256 sq. ft. Meeting Rooms 52 WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Louisville Tourism – (888) 568-4784 www.gotolouisville.com Muhammad Ali Center