“There’s no other place to experience America’s native spirit and culture than Bourbon City,” Fong says. “The connectivity of our downtown, the ease of travel from the airport or from one of our top drive markets will make the ‘getting here’ easy. Finally, MPI’s WEC will take place just days after the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby and that excitement will still be in the air as they get a taste of live racing at Churchill Downs, offering an experience unlike any other. Attendees will quickly see why Louisville won recognition as one of the New York Times’ ’52 Best Places to Travel in 2023.’”
Can you tell us about some of the latest developments in Louisville that will benefit meeting groups?
Louisville continues to offer new attractions and authentic visitor experiences, specifically within the Bourbon and spirits industry. Louisville now boasts over 10 distillery experiences, several of which are within walking distance of the Kentucky International Convention Center (KICC). Churchill Downs is adding an adjacent entertainment hub with Derby City Gaming Downtown as well as building out additional sections at the historic track with the First Turn Club, a brand-new space that provides unprecedented access to the track, stunning views of the famed twin spires and can accommodate some of the largest offsite events. Also, in development news, the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport continues to make improvements throughout the terminal experience and in capacity, increasing airlift nearly 30% since 2021.
What are a couple of the most popular meeting venues in Louisville?
Some of the most popular meeting venues include the Kentucky Exposition Center, KICC and our core hotels. That said, we also encourage connecting with the local community and utilizing offsite venues such as the Muhammad Ali Center, Kentucky Derby Museum and distilleries, among others, to provide a unique meeting experience that attendees can only get in Louisville.
What do meeting attendees in Louisville like to do when not in session?
Louisville’s Urban Bourbon Experience and Urban Bourbon Trail®, a cocktail and culinary experience centered around Bourbon-forward restaurants and bars, are both extremely popular, offering a hospitality "spirit" like none other. Attendees will learn about the city’s local flavor and sample one of Travel + Leisure’s 2023 "Best Food Cities in the U.S." to taste regional or local dishes (like the famous Hot Brown) and Bourbon-infused cuisine. In addition, our top attractions like the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, Muhammad Ali Center, Frazier Kentucky History Museum, Kentucky Derby Museum and 4th Street Live! are also can’t miss experiences. Louisville has a prime location right on the Ohio River offering attendees easy, walkable access to explore one of Fodor’s "15 Best River Walks in the USA" or take a stroll across the award-winning Big Four Bridge from Kentucky to Southern Indiana.
