Expanded Convention Center Opens Its Doors for More Meetings in Louisville, Kentucky

The Kentucky International Convention Center (KICC), a two-year, $207 million project, opened its doors for business with a ribbon cutting that captured the spirit and culture of Louisville and ushered in a new era for the meeting and event industry.

The new KICC was renovated and expanded on the same footprint as the original convention center in the city, built in 1974. The old building was demolished and closed for two years to make room for the new, state-of-the art facility designed by the award-winning global architecture firm HOK, the same team behind projects such as the new LaGuardia Airport Central Terminal B in New York and Ghirardelli Square Plaza in San Francisco.

The new build increased contiguous exhibit space by more than a third, giving KICC more than 900,000 square feet of total space including more than 200,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space; a 40,000-square-foot, column free ballroom with color-changing LED walls; 52 meetings rooms; a 175-seat tiered conference theatre; and a kitchen capable of serving 15,000 meals per days.

“Today is a great day in Louisville and for Louisville tourism,” said Karen Williams, president and CEO of Louisville Tourism. “Many of our counterparts have watched in aww, maybe in disbelief, but the new Kentucky International Convention Center is open.

“They say ‘build it and they will come.’ Well, they’re coming.”

There are already 84 convention groups booked for the future since the expansion was announced, and they will bring $246 million in estimated economic impact. The city will host five of the country’s largest trade shows, according to Tradeshow News Network, which will be among the first groups to use the new facility when they host their “Fastest 50” event in Louisville next week. In addition, KICC has contracts signed for 112 events through 2024.

Other officials who joined Williams for the ribbon cutting were David S. Beck, president and CEO of Kentucky Venues; Don Parkinson, secretary of Kentucky’s Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet; William M. Landrum III, secretary of Kentucky’s Finance and Administration Cabinet; Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer; and Stacey Church, general manager of KICC.

“This is a big deal for our city and for our state,” Fischer said. “This is a red letter day. It reflects the resurgence of this city. This building is an example of how we can work together. This is what a world-class city does. There is no doubt Louisville is a city on the rise. In my view, we’re just getting started.

“As Mohammed Ali (a native of Louisville) said, ‘If it’s true, it ain’t bragging.’”

Parkinson noted that the project was completed on time and on budget.

“It’s about to launch a whole new era,” he said. “This is the third-biggest industry in the state with more than 27,000 jobs in Louisville and 180,000 jobs in Kentucky. A lot of new growth will be driven by this building. We have the technology, the lighting and open spaces that most conference centers don’t have.”

The city has also boosted its hotel rooms, adding 3,000 in the last two years to increase to about 6,000 in downtown and 20,000 in the metro area. The Omni Louisville, for example, opened earlier this year.

The new natural light-filled convention center reflects some of Kentucky’s iconic assets in the design with wood finishes meant to capture the feel of being in Bourbon Country, along with a renewed culinary program that will showcase Louisville’s historic food, including a coffee-by-day, bourbon-by-night experience called Oak & Brew.

The opening day celebration included entertainment by local music groups and food and beverage with resident caterer Levy showcasing its culinary program with a Louisville Biscuit Bar, KY Proud BBQ, Kentucky Bourbon tastings and samples of local vendor partners including Red Hot Roasters, Mayan Café and Falls City Brewing. One of the groups performing Monday was the Sweet Adelines, which were the first group to sign a contract for the new space.

The dynamic look and flexible space will enhance Louisville’s status as a destination city, giving it the opportunity to compete with other regional destinations that have upgraded facilities in recent years.

Louisville is within a day’s drive of nearly two-thirds of the U.S. population, and with its existing KFC Yum! Center arena, the addition of a Bourbon District and 10 distillery attractions, a growing culinary scene and expansions at many of its iconic easy-to-reach attractions including Churchill Downs, the Kentucky Derby Museum and the Muhammad Ali Center, the KICC will add to Louisville’s reputation as a sought-after destination for both meetings and leisure travel.

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