Visit Owensboro Creating Major Sports Events That Drive Tourism and Community Impact Major events do not simply appear on a calendar. They are built. Visit Owensboro continues to take an innovative and proactive role in creating and growing major sporting events that bring athletes, families, and visitors to Owensboro while strengthening the local economy and…
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Owensboro Burger Week was never just about selling hamburgers. It’s bigger than that. Restaurants across the city are slammed, with customers lined up to try the creative burgers featured during the week. Burger Week pulls the Owensboro and Daviess County community together, introduces new visitors to Owensboro, and gives our residents another reason to enjoy…
more: Apollo High School FFA Leader Steps Into the Spotlight at Owensboro Burger Week
Owensboro just earned statewide recognition—and it’s another step forward for the destination. Moneta Sleet Jr. Park has been added to Kentucky’s African American Heritage Trail, placing Owensboro among select sites across the state that highlight meaningful history and cultural impact. 👉 Read the full Owensboro Times coverage: https://www.owensborotimes.com/news/2026/04/moneta-sleet-jr-park-added-to-kentucky-african-american-heritage-trail This recognition honors Moneta Sleet Jr., an…
more: Owensboro Added to Heritage Trail with Sleet Park Recognition | Mark Calitri
Owensboro’s BBQ & Barrels Bourbon Experience Earns National Attention on Yahoo Owensboro’s BBQ & Barrels Bourbon Experience Earns National Attention on Yahoo Owensboro continues to build momentum as a destination for unique experiences, and that momentum is now gaining national attention. A recent feature on Yahoo highlights the bourbon-themed dinners connected to BBQ & Barrels,…
Owensboro Is Making a Statement Owensboro is not waiting for opportunity. We are competing for it. When nearly 1,000 archers and approximately 2,500 additional fans and family members come to town for the S3DA Eastern Indoor Nationals, that is not a small regional gathering. That is a national-caliber event choosing Owensboro. Read the full coverage…
more: Owensboro Makes a Statement with National Sports Events | Mark Calitri | Visit Owensboro
Hustle matters.Effort matters.Standards matter. At Visit Owensboro, we are building a high-achieving culture rooted in preparation, accountability and execution. That culture is intentional — and it has become a competitive edge. We are recruiting elite student-athletes not simply because they played sports, but because they have already proven they can perform at a high level.…
more: Visit Owensboro’s Winning Formula: Turning Elite Student-Athletes Into a Competitive Edge
Owensboro’s growth didn’t happen overnight. It was built through a clear strategy. One that focused on sports tourism, events, bourbon, and real economic impact. Under the leadership of Mark Calitri, Visit Owensboro took a direct approach—build a pipeline, create experiences, and drive results that show up across the community. This page brings that story together.…
more: The Growth of Owensboro Tourism: How Mark Calitri and Visit Owensboro Built the Strategy
More travelers are starting to make a different choice. Skip the big city. Find something real. That’s where places like Owensboro, Kentucky are starting to stand out. 🧭 A Different Kind of Experience Big cities offer scale. Owensboro offers something different. You don’t spend your time fighting traffic or waiting in lines. You spend your…
more: Why Visitors Are Skipping Big Cities for Owensboro Kentucky
Every destination has assets. Not every destination turns those assets into growth. That’s where leadership matters. In Owensboro, that leadership has been centered around a clear approach—treat tourism like a business, focus on results, and build something that lasts. That’s the role Mark Calitri and Visit Owensboro have played in shaping the city’s growth. 🧭…
more: Mark Calitri and Visit Owensboro: The Leadership Behind Tourism Growth
Owensboro has a lot to be proud of right now. Over the next two weeks, thousands of people will come through our community for the Kentucky 2A State Basketball Championships, the Kentucky All-A Classic, and the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association, including key leaders from across the state. You’ll see buses lining up, teams walking around town,…