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60 B M & T ••• March/April 2025 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com AREA GUIDES MEETING PLANNERS AND THEIR DELEGATES WILL FIND EVERYTHING THEY NEED IN KENTUCKY B Y S H I L O H L E S L I E Kentucky, a state where rolling blue- grass fields meet the rhythm of bourbon barrels, offers a pleasant mixture of Southern charm and modern magnetism. From the spirited streets of Louisville to the equestrian majesty of Lexington, Kentucky invites visitors to experience its dynamism, rich in culture, history, and hospitality. • • LOUISVILLE • • Draped along the Ohio River, Louisville stands as a spring of cultural richness and modern innovation. Kentucky Exposition Center, adjacent to the airport, offers abundant indoor and outdoor space while the newly renovated Kentucky Internat- ional Convention Center, boasting over 200,000 square feet of contiguous meet- ing space, 52 meeting rooms, and a 40,000-square-foot ballroom, welcomes visitors to Louisville's downtown core with state-of-the-art convention space. For those seeking unique venues, this city offers a host of options. The historic Keene Place mansion provides a tranquil setting with its lovely stone fences and buildings, offering a genteel and an enchanting landscape for events. 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 contact Louisville To-urism's presi- dent CEO Cleo Battle if you are contemplating bringing an event to Lou- isville. He and his crack team will provide you all of the support you need to make your meet- ing there a success. • • LEXINGTON• • In Lexington, the spirit of the Bluegrass State comes alive amidst rolling hills and thoroughbred farms. The Central Bank Center, a state-of-the-art facility, offers over 200,000 square feet of flexible meet- ing and event space, including 100,000 square feet of dedicated exhibit space with four halls, 29,000 sq. ft. of meeting space with fourteen rooms, 24,300 sq. ft. of ballroom space with three rooms, and a 22,000-seat Rupp Arena. For a truly exclusive experience, consid- er hosting events at venues like The Apiary, which transport guests into a hid- den world that twists Southern hospitality with old-world craftsmanship. Lexington's culinary scene is equally impressive, with a variety of group-friend- ly restaurants offering private dining options. Whether you're seeking buffet- style establishments or fine dining, the city caters to all preferences. In Kentucky, every city tells a story, every venue offers a new experience, and every meal is a cele- bration. Discover the charm and hospital- ity that make the Bluegrass State a pre- mier destination for meetings and tourism. WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Visit Lex – (800) 845-3959 www.visitlex.com Kentucky Innternational Convention Center photo credit: Moody Nolan K E N T U C K Y • • • STATS • • • HOTEL ROOMS Hyatt Regency Louisville 393 Omni Louisville Hotel 612 Residence Inn by Marriott Louisville Downtown 140 Louisville Marriott Downtown 616 The Galt House Hotel 1,310 EXHIBITION FACILITIES Kentucky International Convention Center Total Meeting Space 304,000 sq. ft. Largest Hall 76,590 sq. ft. Largest Ballroom 40,256 sq. ft. Meeting Rooms 52 WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Louisville Tourism – (888) 568-4784 www.gotolouisville.com photo credit: Kentucky CC