Mark Calitri reports: Visit Owensboro gives major Nashville developer the stage: Developer says banjo-shaped amusement ride ‘natural fit’ for Owensboro

Mark Calitri and Visit Owensboro give major Nashville developer the stage: Developer says banjo-shaped amusement ride ‘natural fit’ for OwensboroAt a press conference Wednesday, Barry Lee, a Nashville-based developer with ties to Owensboro, explained the $1 million banjo-shaped Ferris wheel he would like to build in Owensboro.“This wheel will be the next big attraction after the Bluegrass Hall of Fame,” he said. “Attractions are the next step for tourism here.”https://www.14news.com/2019/07/17/watch-live-announcement-developer-planning-banjo-shaped-ferris-wheel-owensboro/…

Calitri says bigger conventions means higher revenue from hotel tax.

Calitri says bigger conventions means higher revenue from hotel tax.    The CVB has been pushing for more local tourism, with a focus on bettering Owensboro’s branding, economic development and entertainment venues. Part of bringing more out-of-towners to conventions held at the Owensboro Convention Center is by building more hotels that can hold a higher number of guests.“We’ve been limited in Owensboro on the size of the conventions we can…

What You Need To Know About ROMP

The 2019 ROMP Fest is almost here, and we’re itching with excitement!  The four-day music festival will take over Yellow Creek park on June 26-29, featuring iconic artists and Hall of Fame members Ricky Skaggs and Del McCoury among many others.  Click here for the full lineup.  What many don’t realize is that the fun continues beyond the park!  There are lots of things to check out around Owensboro to…

CVB going after more tournaments

Owensboro has spent years developing their sports tourism and now it’s really paying off.  Sports tourism has become one of the most profitable areas of development for Owensboro, and the Convention and Visitors Bureau wants to continue that growth far beyond softball and baseball.  Jared Bratcher, sports marketing director for the CVB, is looking at basketball and volleyball tournaments, fishing tournaments, flag football, and even bowling tournaments as possible developments…

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: June 21-23

2019 Dazzling Daylily Festival The Western Kentucky Botanical Garden’s annual festival filled with flowers and fun begins this weekend on Thursday, June 20!  Enjoy thousands of blooming daylilies and fun activities in the garden through June 30.  Saturday, June 22, don’t forget to celebrate the main event featuring Artists in the Garden, children’s activities, food trucks and live music, tethered balloon rides, and balloon glow at nighttime.  Regular admission is…

Visit Owensboro-CVB projecting 3.66% increase from room tax

Last week, the Owensboro-Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau approved an $815,480 budget that anticipates a 3.66% increase in revenue from its tax on hotel rooms.The 2019-2020 fiscal year looks very good, Kyle Aud, board chairman, said after the meeting.Mark Calitri, CVB president, said the Kentucky Association of Police Chiefs will be here in July, the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association will return in January and the Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association will…

Owensboro Kentucky assesses tourism landscape reports Mark Calitri

Joe Veneto provides tourism stakeholder feedback to Owensboro reports Mark Calitri In an effort to make Owensboro a desirable tourist destination, county officials hired a secret shopper to evaluate seven attractions around the city.Daviess County Fiscal Court used funds from the hotel tax to hire Boston-based Veneto Collaboratory to assess the potential tourist destinations.The findings showed many areas of improvement needed across the city, but not all feedback was negative.Joe…

In the Spotlight

Brand USA takes Owensboro to World Stage We just can’t stop talking about everything that Owensboro has to offer, and now the rest of the world knows too!  Owensboro’s tourism is under the international spotlight now, and big things are expected for the city in the upcoming years. Alongside cities like Las Vegas, New Orleans, and West Hollywood, Owensboro is the stand-out pick in Brand USA’s “Hear the Music” campaign,…

2019 Dazzling Daylily Festival with Balloons Over the Garden

It’s almost time for the Western Kentucky Botanical Garden’s award-winning, flower-filled festival!  June 20-30, view thousands of blooming daylilies and celebrate the summer at Owensboro’s 10th annual daylily festival. With over 800 varieties of daylilies, daylily tours, hot air balloon rides, daylily dig beds, twelve themed gardens, children’s playhouse, a conservatory, artists, displays, music and art activities, there’s so much to explore!  Take a tethered balloon ride for just $10!…

Top 3 Things to Do in Owensboro This Weekend: June 14-16

Art by the Stars The Museum of Fine Art hosts “Art by the Stars”, a unique gala benefit for the museum on Saturday, June 15 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.  The evening will feature an exhibition and auction of works of art by a roster of “nonartists” known as “stars”, made up of business leaders, educators and elected officials. The stars have created their works of art with the…