Ferris wheel ‘small piece’ of overall plan

Developers are working with Visit Owensboro to discuss the possibility of building a banjo-shaped amusement ride which would include a Ferris wheel and a drop tower.  Local officials have begun to seek out public opinion on the latest development idea, which seems positive from both local establishments and community members who’ve seen the model in…

On the Bourbon Trail: O.Z. Tyler expects number of visitors to grow

After undergoing a $7 million expansion, celebrating one year on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, and welcoming visitors from around the world, O.Z. Tyler Distillery isn’t slowing down.  In fact, their visitor numbers doubled after their first year on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and are projected to continue growing.  The distillery expects visitors to increase over…

Calitri says bigger conventions means higher revenue from hotel tax

Downtown Owensboro’s new hotel, Home2 Suites by Hilton, is now under construction, and the Owensboro-Daviess County Convention Center is excited to beginning filling those rooms.   As the CVB continues to develop downtown businesses, conventions and available hotel rooms, they want to begin targeting convention-goers specifically who wish to stay close to the Owensboro Convention Center. …

CVB projecting 3.66% increase from room tax

Owensboro’s future is looking even brighter! The Convention and Visitor’s Bureau announced their new 2019-2020 budget which projects higher revenue from the tax on hotel rooms. This means more will be put back into the Owensboro area in conventions, tournaments, and other attractions. Kentucky is branding 2020 as the “Year of Music” and as the…

Johnson, Bacon named to CVB board

David Johnson, previously a city commissioner in 2009, and Claude Bacon, vice president for administration, sales and eCommerce for LinGate Hospitality, were appointed to the Owensboro-Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau board of directors.  They replaced Mathew McCloud and Tim Ross on the board in June.  The CVB is excited for these new additions to…

2,900 expected Friday for OMG!con

Cosplay, anime, and video game lovers reunited once again to make this year’s OMG!con the best yet.  After moving from Paducah to the Owensboro Convention Center to provide an atmosphere full of opportunity for its attendees, OMG!con has continued to grow bigger and better every year.  Not only has the convention expanded in numbers, but…

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…

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,…

Owensboro’s ‘Killer B’s’ are drawing tourists, Phillips says

Since Owensboro’s feature in “The New USA Bucket List: 11 Top Places You Need to See” last year, the “Killer B’s”, the term coined for Owensboro’s brand of bourbon, bluegrass, and barbeque, have been turning heads and all eyes are on Owensboro.  Now, Visit Owensboro is partnering with the Kentucky Department of Tourism and Brand…

Owensboro selected as Brand USA ‘Hear The Music’ City

Small town, big impact.  Owensboro, alongside cities including New Orleans, Miami, and Las Vegas, was selected as one of 10 cities for Brand USA’s Hear The Music campaign.  Visit Owensboro will partner with the Kentucky Department of Tourism and Brand USA to launch the local campaign promoting Owensboro’s selection.  “This puts Owensboro on the map…