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Louisville. He and his crack team will pro- vide you all of the support you need to make your meeting there a success. LEXINGTON Lexington boasts a downtown cen- ter that is compact, walkable, and pur- pose-built for planners who value flow, without relying on heavy trans- portation. You're close to the city's defining experiences, from bourbon culture to a strong local arts presence, which translate well into dine- arounds, companion programs, and informal networking. The operational anchor is Central Bank Center, a renovated downtown complex with 100,000 sq. ft. of contigu- ous exhibit space, 50,000 sq. ft. of mul- tipurpose meeting rooms and 16 addi- tional meeting rooms. The campus con- nects to Rupp Arena and the Lexington Opera House expanding options for general sessions and performance-based events. The Hyatt Regency Lexington and Hilton Lexington/-Downtown are adjoining or adjacent, creating a tight, efficient footprint. WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Visit Lex – (800) 845-3959 www.visitlex.com KENTUCKY CONTINUES TO RATE HIGH ON MEETING PLANNER'S WISH LIST BY PATRICE A. KELLY Kentucky is a destination defined by richness, legacy, and a strong feeling of place. With its cordial character, Kentucky is known for world-famous bourbon, horse racing, and the vast underground landscapes of Mammoth Cave National Park. The Bluegrass and Red River Gorges also offer serene exploration of rolling hills, farmland, woodlands, and natural spaces. Culturally, Kentucky is a tapestry of Indigenous roots, African American influ- ence, Appalachian traditions, and agricul- tural and industrial development. It offers visitors true connections through music, food, crafting, and storytelling. Together these factors make Kentucky a location where history and development create unique, yet familiar travel experiences. LOUISVILLE Rooted in bourbon but not defined by it, Louisville provides a distinctive rhythm for visitors, one that balances heritage with fresh creative energy. You feel it downtown, where a compact, visitor- friendly layout keeps your program effi- cient and gives attendees plenty to explore between sessions. Central to it all, the Kentucky Interna- tional Convention Center (KICC) serves as the heart of the meeting complex with 300,000 sq. ft. of flexible space and 52 meeting rooms. It's walkable environment simplifies logistics and eases flow. Its recent renovation and LEED Silver creden- tials add peace of mind for planners focused on both functionality and sus- tainability. Just outside the meeting rooms, Louisville's headquarters hotels keep your group connected. Louisville Marriott Downtown links directly to KICC via sky- walk, for seamless transitions in any weather. The Hyatt Regency Louisville, also connected by skywalk, puts your attendees steps from dining, entertain- ment, and evening programming. This design helps keep agendas tight and nighttime activities energized. When it's time to step away from ses- sions, downtown Louisville delivers cultur- al depth that strikes a chord with diverse audiences. Museum Row on Main St. brings together the Muhammad Ali Center, Frazier History Museum, and Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, per- fect for hosted excursions or guest sched- uling. The Muhammad Ali Center, in par- ticular, adds meaning and context, tying Louisville's story to Ali's global legacy of purpose and impact. Be sure to contact Louisville Tourism's president CEO Cleo Battle if you are c o n t e m p l a t i n g bringing an event to KENTUCKY AREA GUIDES • • • STATS • • • HOTEL ROOMS Hyatt Regency Louisville 393 Omni Louisville Hotel 612 Courtyard Louisville Downtown 140 Louisville Marriott Downtown 616 The Galt House Hotel. 1,310 EXHIBITION FACILITIES Kentucky International Convention Center Total MeetingSpace 304,000 sq. ft. Largest Hall 76,590 sq. ft. Largest Ballroom 40,256 sq. ft. Meeting Rooms WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Louisville Tourism – (888) 568-4784 www.gotolouisville.com B M & T ••• March/April 2026 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 53 KICC ballroom space photo credit: Kentucky Internation C.C