July 9, 2008 - Bureau Brief - Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau News & Events   > Convention Development     > Tourism Development   > Bureau Services   > Partner Development     > Marketing/Communications   Kentucky Association of School   Administrators   2008 Annual Conference   July 16-18   Galt House Hotel & Suites   800 attendees   Kentucky Association for   Career & Technical Education   2008 Summer Program   July 19-23   Galt House Hotel & Suites   1,600 attendees   Gideons International   109th Anniversary Meeting   July 20-27   KICC   9,000 attendees   Society of American Magicians   IBM-SAM Combined Convention   July 21-25   Galt House Hotel & Suites   2,000 attendees   Shakespeare in the Park   Central Park   July 9   Louisville Bats vs. Charlotte   Knights   Louisville Slugger Field   July 19   F.A.T. Friday Trolley Hop   Frankfort Avenue   July 25   Finger Eleven in Concert   Fourth Street Live!   July 25   Waterfront Wednesday   Waterfront Park   July 30   Business After Hours   Brown & Williamson Club   July 23   ROSE Awards   November 11         Yvonne Board is attending the Christian Methodist Episcopal Youth & Young Adult conference this week in Orlando, Fla.  She is promoting Louisville as a destination for the group’s 2012 or 2014 convention.  The Bureau will host a small reception and exhibit at the convention’s tradeshow.  The conference represents 11,000 room nights. July 10-14, Tourism Development will host the National Tour Association Summer Leadership Meeting at the Galt House Hotel & Suites.  The group of over 75 key leaders in the tourism industry consists of NTA Board of Directors, staff and members of the leadership team. The next Bureau Motorcoach Council meeting will take place on Wednesday, July 16 from 9-11 a.m. at the Bureau administrative offices at 401 West Main Street. All attractions and hotels who are interested in motorcoach business are invited and encouraged to attend. RSVP by no later than Friday, July 11. On June 30, Tourism Development recognized Rachel Jackson of the Hilton Garden Inn East for her participation in the Motorcoach Tracking Rewards Program.  If your property would like to know more about this program, please contact Nicole Twigg or Kate Amara at (502) 584-2121.  Pictured here (l to r) are: Nicole Twigg, Bureau; Rachel Jackson, Hilton Garden Inn; and, Kate Amara, Bureau. Volunteers Needed! From July 3-13, approximately 2,000 blind and visually impaired people from across the United States and several foreign countries are coming to Louisville for the 2008 convention of the American Council of the Blind. Over 350 meetings, workshops, seminars, tours and social events will pack convention week. The exhibit area will include all kinds of technology, products and services for people with low vision. How You Can Help: Welcoming people at the airport Act as ushers in general sessions Help people locate booths in exhibit hall Read and complete forms at registration Act as guides between meeting rooms Help with childcare and youth activities Please contact Carla Ruschival adamcarla@bellsouth.net or call (502) 897-1472. The Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau now offers a new walking tour of downtown Louisville. The tour is a free 60-minute walk led by volunteers. If you would like more information on how to take a tour, or if you know someone who would like to be a tour guide, call the Louisville Visitors Center at (502) 379-6109 or e-mail Sherri at sbrindle@gotolouisville.com. The Bureau's HLA (Hospitality Louisville Ambassador) program offers anyone working in the hospitality industry in the Louisville area a chance to become a certified ambassador to Louisville. Training includes: Louisville Orientation course Discover Louisville Tour Dine at a Louisville Original restaurant Passport for complimentary entrance into 12 area attractions Volunteer opportunities within Louisville's tourism industry The Hospitality Louisville program will begin on July 30 from 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Cost of the program for a member company is $79 per participant and $129 for a non-member company. Group rates are available. Space is limited, so register today!  Visit www.hospitalitylouisville.com for more information and to register. Do you love Louisville? Then the Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau is looking for you. We are looking for men and women of all ages to donate a few hours of their week as a convention greeter. It's a great way to make new friends while promoting the city that you love. If you would like more information or to sign up for a training session please call Sherri Brindle at (502) 379-6109 or e-mail at sbrindle@gotolouisville.com. You can also check us out on the web at www.louisvillevolunteer.com. American Council of the Blind - National Convention & Exposition is meeting at the Galt House Hotel & Suites beginning July 5.  2,000 attendees are expected, generating an economic impact of nearly $3 million. Department of Defense Schools Educators - 2008 Annual Reunion is meeting at the Louisville Marriott Downtown.  800 attendees are expected, generating an economic impact of $399,000. National Exposure Basketball Tournaments - 2008 Run for the Roses Classic is meeting at the Louisville Marriott East.  3,000 are expected, generating an economic impact of $437,000. All partners are invited to participate in orientation sessions held every other month. If you are a new partner, or would like a refresher course in maximizing your partner benefits, please attend our Partner Orientation meeting at the Bureau on Wednesday, August 13, from 3 - 4:30 p.m. Please contact Michelle Penn at mpenn@gotolouisville.com to RSVP. On Wednesday, July 23, the Bureau invites you to Business After Hours at the Brown & Williamson Club from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. This popular trade show and networking event is held twice a year and gives partners the chance to exhibit and network with more than 400 business professionals and local meeting planners. It is free to attend and is open to the public. No RSVP needed. For more information, please contact Michelle Penn at (502) 560-0020 or mpenn@gotolouisville.com. On Tuesday, November 11, the Bureau will host the 2008 Recognition of Service Excellence (ROSE) Awards to honor the individuals within the hospitality industry who truly make the city's first impression, and always make sure it's a good one. From the taxi cab driver to the concierge to the reservationist, help us pay tribute to those that are the best of the best. Nominations are being accepted for non-managerial star employees today at www.louisvilleroseawards.com. If you are interested in sponsoring the ROSE awards, contact Melissa Sparks at msparks@gotolouisville.com. The Bureau is introducing a new rewards program to ensure that each and every visitor during the week of Ryder Cup will be given the "star treatment." We invite your organization to participate in this very important opportunity to help visitors enjoy a great time in our city as well as entice them to visit your venue.  Participation Benefits: Red Carpet Rewards window cling for your storefront to identify your organization as a participant. Promotional information about your organization and special offer for our visitors will be listed on www.gotolouisville.com during the Ryder Cup. Inclusion in the Red Carpet Rewards program pamphlet given to all hotel guests during the Ryder Cup, which will provide your organization's contact information along with your special offer/promotion. Guests visiting your venue will present their rewards key card to receive the offer. Ryder Cup information and training will be offered at no charge. Click here to download the participation form. Contact Melissa Sparks at msparks@gotolouisville.com for more information. The 12th episode of the Lookin' @ Louisville podcast series, "Baseball, Hot Dogs, Apple Pie and..." is now available. Hosts Stacey Yates and Chaz Rough check out Louisville's take on the American classics as it gears up for the Triple-A All-Star baseball game and a new baseball exhibit at Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory. Dining at Kaelins, the home of the cheeseburger, and Homemade Ice Cream and Pie Kitchen. The episode is also available in iTunes, Current.com and at www.YouTube.com/lookinatlouisville. Reserve your advertising spot in the Fall/Winter 2008 Visitors Guide! This guide contains the latest information about Bureau member attractions, entertainment, restaurants, shopping, transportation, visitor services, accommodations as well as an events calendar, and maps of the downtown and surrounding areas. Published twice a year, 165,000 guides are distributed by the Bureau, the downtown Visitors Center, hotels, through the Bureau’s fulfillment center and at local conventions and tradeshows. Contact Joanie Allgeier at (502) 560-1469 or jallgeier@gotolousiville.com. The Destination Louisville feature in Delta Sky Magazine will be an in-depth story focusing on Louisville and all that the city has to offer. This special section, with the LCVB as the anchor sponsor, will spotlight Louisville as the host of the prestigious Ryder Cup, and as a global destination that's committed to creating a warm and hospitable environment for all visitors. This integrated campaign features print and web elements and will be seen by over 4 million readers. New rates are now available, so now is your opportunity to show the world the endless possibilities in Louisville. The deadline for space is July 15. Click here for more information. Bureau Brief Editor: Susan Dallas Bureau Brief Layout: Angela Weisser & Mark Perry             Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau One Riverfront Plaza 401 W. Main Street, Suite 2300 Louisville, KY 40202 www.GoToLouisville.com (800) 626-5646 | (502) 584-2121