Bourbon Blitz Puts Louisville On The Map

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (September 13, 2016) – The Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau is hosting four bourbon-themed events in three of its top feeder markets this month to increase the city’s profile as a top tier destination for leisure travel and lucrative convention business. The group of events, dubbed the “Bourbon Blitz,” kicked off in Chicago on Sept. 8 with a leisure event and will continue in Washington D.C. on Sept. 14, in Atlanta on Sept. 20 and again in Chicago on Sept. 29 for convention meeting planners.

In the context of National Bourbon Heritage Month, each event has a bourbon theme and features various Kentucky inspired foods, attractions and cocktails for the attendees. The attendee lists are each comprised of up to 200 targeted decision makers in the leisure and convention industries: tour operators, meeting planners, city delegates and more.

“Even as Louisville’s downtown convention center is undergoing a $207 million renovation, the effort to drive tourism business to the city is in full gear,” says Karen Williams, President & CEO of the Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Sept. 8 – “Bourbon, Bluegrass and Baseball” – Chicago, IL – Hosted for decision maker’s in Chicago’s leisure travel market, this event was held at Binny’s Beverage Depot. The attendees were offered Kentucky-themed cocktails, Southern-inspired hors d’oeuvres, live Bluegrass music by Hickory Vaught and Bourbon tastings with Bourbon Expert Bernie Lubbers. Accompanying the LCVB Tourism Team were local attractions Evan Williams Bourbon Experience and Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory.

Sept. 14 – “Taste of Louisville Bourbon Reception” – Washington, D.C. - This event is an evening reception for select attendees of the Congressional Black Caucus’ Annual Legislative Conference. The event is popular among members of Congress and showcases Louisville as the destination for people who want to live, work and play in a first-class city. The reception will offer Bourbon tastings and Kentucky-inspired appetizers. It will be hosted by the LCVB Sales Team and accompanied by Congressman John Yarmuth and Louisville Metro Councilman David Tandy.

Sept. 20 – “The Art of Bourbon” – Atlanta, GA – Held for Atlanta-area meeting planners, this event will partner with Atlanta’s Southern Art Bourbon Bar and showcase the best of Louisville through Bourbon tasting, a cocktail reception and a Southern cooking demonstration by award-winning personal chef, Art Smith.

Sept. 29 – “Bourbon, Bluegrass & Blue Jeans” – Chicago, IL - The evening will feature a Fall fashion show, cocktails, live music by Kentucky’s J.D. Shelburne, and a cooking demonstration by Bistro 1860 chef Michael Crouch. This event is hosted for Chicago-area meeting planners by the LCVB Sales Team and will be held at Macy’s on State in downtown Chicago. The sales effort will focus on Louisville’s $1 Billion transformation efforts.