City’s public events department nearing 10th anniversary

In September 2010, the Owensboro City Commission recommended the hiring of a public events director.

Then-Mayor Ron Payne said the city needed more emphasis on the promotion of downtown and more coordination between city venues “such as the RiverPark Center, Sportscenter, a proposed bluegrass center and the coming downtown convention and events center.”

Then-City Manager Bill Parrish proposed an annual budget of $123,000 and said the person selected would be the “ringmaster,” coordinating events at the various cultural and event venues.I

Events are vital to the Owensboro tourism infrastructure,” Mark Calitri, president of the Owensboro-Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau, said last week.

“Tim Ross and his department go above and beyond in not only ensuring Owensboro’s events are sustainable, but also adding new events that are attractive for both a local and visiting audience,” he said. “They serve as both an amenity and a reason to make the trip to Owensboro.”

To read the full article by the Messenger-Inquirer’s Keith Lawrence, click here