The coronavirus pandemic hit Owensboro on March 13 — Friday the 13th. “One hotel reported that they lost over $50,000 in future reservations,” Mark Calitri, president of the Owensboro-Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau, said a few days later. “That’s in one day! This type of news indicates to me that April results could be…
What Others Are Saying
Jorn bringing new ideas to RiverPark
When Rich Jorn arrived in Owensboro on Nov. 4, 2019, to become executive director of the RiverPark Center, “I was really fired up and ready to go,” he said recently. Then, four months later, when the coronavirus pandemic hit Owensboro, he said, “everything just disappeared.” And things still aren’t getting much better eight months later.…
CVB adding events in 2021
If nothing changes, the Owensboro-Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau expects to see a deficit of $8,800 by the end of the fiscal year on June 30. But the agency is hoping to eliminate that deficit with more events in the first half of 2021. Mark Calitri, CVB president, said, “We didn’t adopt a budget…
Green River Distilling Co. featured in ‘The Bourbon Review’
ollowing its recent rebranding, The Green River Distilling Company has been featured in “The Bourbon Review,” one of the most popular whiskey-themed publications in the world. The publication called the distillery a “long weekend bourbon escape.” The Bourbon Review’s newsletter details The Green River Distilling Company’s rebirth in returning to its original location, which originated…
Daviess County selected to host geocaching event
Daviess County has been selected to host the MOGA geocaching mega event for Memorial Day weekend next year. Geocaching is a recreational activity of hunting for and finding a hidden object by means of GPS coordinates posted on a website. Geocachers seek out treasures hidden by other players while exploring interesting locations. At its most…
Travel publication names Owensboro a top place to visit this fall
Travel website Insider.com recently listed Owensboro as one of the best places in the country to visit this fall. Owensboro was specifically praised for its barbeque, bourbon and farmers’ market. “Any time you’re selected to a ‘Best Place to Visit’ list by a travel publication, it’s an absolute honor,” said Visit Owensboro’s Dave Kirk. “You…
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…
Owensboro makes national list of places to visit
Think you can’t enjoy a fall trip this year because of the pandemic? Well, this year, you don’t have to travel. You’re already in what Insider.com considers “one of the 16 best places to visit in the U.S. this fall.” The travel website lists “The Kentucky Triangle” — Owensboro, Bowling Green and Paducah — as…
CVB expecting big things in 2021
It’s no secret that the coronavirus pandemic has taken a huge chunk out of Owensboro’s $228 million tourism economy this year. The hotel occupancy rate in Owenboro in September was down to 42% from 57% in 2019 and 63% in 2018. But the Owensboro-Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau and local attractions are promoting the…
CVB hoping entertainment returns with Friday After 5
“There’s a lot of activity going on in Owensboro,” Mark Calitri, president of the Owensboro-Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau, told his board last week. “We’re not hitting home runs, but we’re hitting a lot of singles. We’re getting ready for the recovery.” Festivals, tournaments and concerts have been canceled this year by the coronavirus…