2001 ANNUAL REPORT KENTUCKY STATE FAIR BOARD GOING THE EXTRA MILE CONTENTS Messages . 2 Introduction . 3 Rear View . .4 Driving Ahead . 6 Mile Markers. 8 Information Highway . .11 Marketing Momentum . 12 High Performance . 13 Traffic Volume . 14 Fuel Efficiency . 15 Dear Friends: Dear Friends: The Kentucky Fair & Exposition Center and the This year’s annual report embodies the driving force behind the success of the Kentucky Kentucky International Convention Center are State Fair Board. The Kentucky Fair & Exposition Center and the Kentucky International essential to our state’s strategic position in the Convention Center continue to maintain a solid business structure, sound strategic planning, convention industry. Through the positive and a steady flow of clients. The three events produced by the Fair Board—the National leadership of our dedicated board members and Farm Machinery Show, Kentucky State Fair, and North American International Livestock staff, our facilities’ popularity presents Exposition—breed energy and excitement throughout the year as well as promote tourism in exceptional opportunities for potential visitors to the Commonwealth of Kentucky. experience our excellent hospitality and convenient facilities. As you cruise through this report, our progress will be evident in the increases in exhibit hall occupancy, the significant economic impact on the community, and strong supporting figures The Kentucky International Convention Center is in all aspects of our business. Paving the way for continued growth, new projects on the playing a major role in the efforts being made to horizon include a new hotel, proposed expansion, and aesthetically pleasing additions to the create a new life for downtown Louisville. This renovated and facilities. These projects not only enhance client and consumer experiences but position the expanded building and other new attractions in the area are Kentucky Fair & Exposition Center and Kentucky International Convention Center as top creating exciting possibilities for Louisville and the competitors in the industry. Commonwealth of Kentucky. We can attribute much of our success to the support of the Kentucky General Assembly and The Kentucky Fair & Exposition Center continues to be one of the leadership in Frankfort. The state’s commitment to the progress and promotion of both the finest facilities of its kind in the country. Each year, the Kentucky Fair & Exposition Center and the Kentucky International Convention Center millions of people travel to the exposition center to contributes to the overall advancement of Kentucky’s tourism industry and economy. We experience a host of world-class events. The facility thank all of those who go the extra mile to fuel our success and look toward fundamental undoubtedly contributes to the success of the tourism growth for the future. industry in Kentucky. Great things are happening in Kentucky. On behalf of all Kentuckians, I offer my thanks for your vision and dedication. Our state looks forward to even more success in the years to come. Sincerely, Mary Anne Cronan Harold Workman Chairman President and CEO Paul E. Patton Governor Kentucky State Fair Board Andrew “Skipper” Martin Bruce Harper Ronald Carmicle Anna Jane Cave Gib Gosser Lanny Dale Greer Charles Hamilton Governor’s Vice Chairman, Louisville Glendale Somerset Manchester Shepherdsville Representative Harrodsburg 2 OUR BUSINESS IN 1902, WHEN THE KENTUCKY The board, comprised of Kentucky Fair & Exposition THE KENTUCKY STATE FAIR Kentucky International General Assembly passed a governor appointments and Center—the Kentucky Board shall promote the Convention Center for bill stating the provision of elected members of university State Fair Board has been progress of the exhibitions, conventions, “an annual state fair for the administrations and pertinent at the forefront of Commonwealth of Kentucky trade shows, public exhibition of agricultural, associations, united Kentucky tourism and stimulate public interest gatherings, cultural mechanical, horticultural, prominent community leaders development. Today, the in the advantages and activities, and other dairy, forestry, poultry, and from around the state. Kentucky State Fair Board development of the functions. In managing livestock products be, and Exceeding expectations, the operates two of the Commonwealth by providing these facilities, the Kentucky the same is hereby created Kentucky State Fair Board largest facilities in the the Kentucky Fair & State Fair Board resolves to to be known as the Kentucky not only proved successful state—the Kentucky Fair & Exposition Center and the advance Kentucky’s tourism State Fair,” a governing body but continues to thrive as an Exposition Center and the industry and economy while was needed to implement agency of the Kentucky Kentucky International serving the entertainment, and maintain such an Tourism Development Cabinet. Convention Center. Under cultural and educational endeavor. The Kentucky the management of the interests of the public. Since 1950, when the Fair State Board of Agriculture Kentucky State Fair Board, Board began construction on took on the task from 1906 these facilities have OUR one of the greatest and until 1938 when the decision generated a net surplus largest exposition facilities of was made to create a every year since the 1986- its kind in the world—the Kentucky State Fair Board. 1987 fiscal year. MISSION Mary Kate Kordes Rita Phillips Thomas J. Schifano Billy Ray Smith Dr. Scott Smith William B. Tolle Joe Wright Bremen Louisville Louisville Commissioner, KY Dept. Dean, UK College of Maysville Harned of Agriculture Agriculture 3 Kentucky Fair & Exposition Center In the Passing Lane Construction Zone Arena football came to town COMPLETED PROJECTS this year and made Freedom • Restored the masonry in Freedom Hall Hall the new home of the (east and north walls) Louisville Fire. Proving its extraordinary versatility, • Relocated and renovated the new ticket office Freedom Hall was fitted for turf and goalposts in • Upgraded the electrical in the West Wing preparation for tackles • Refurbished the VIP Lounge and touchdowns. • Replaced the trailer seating in Freedom Hall • Refurbished all of the seats in Freedom Hall • Replaced two 750 ton cooling towers • Installed flooring for arena football REARVIEW Kentucky International Convention Center In the Fast Lane Construction Zone The convention center COMPLETED PROJECTS hosted the top 500 • Landscaped around the exterior of entrepreneurs in the the center and planted additional Lace Bark country for the 19th Annual Elm trees Inc. 500 Conference. The • Installed new state-of-the-art premier event admission control equipment for the two celebrated the parking garages entrepreneurial • Acquired additional ballroom chairs, staging, spirit and and a dance floor honored the accomplishments of the most successful, privately owned U.S. companies as ranked by Inc. Magazine. 4 Signs Keep on Truckin’ Fair & Exposition Center. The National Quartet The wheels keep on turning Drawing over 70,000 visitors Convention, the eleventh and the Mid-America who leave behind $14 million largest area convention and Trucking Show keeps on in economic impact, the trade show, announced an trucking. This year, the show consistently proves its extension to their contract largest trucking show in position as the third largest with the Kentucky Fair & North America celebrated area convention and Exposition Center. The 25 years at the Kentucky trade show. National Quartet Convention, Christian entertainment’s largest gospel music gathering, signed a five-year contract to lengthen their stay in Louisville. The Changing Lanes benefits in retaining the the over 80,000 attendees For the first time in the business of this long-time and $11 million generated in Kentucky State Fair Board’s client are represented by economic impact. 63-year history, Mary Anne Cronan became the first woman to serve as chair of the board. A member of the Kentucky State Fair Board since 1997, Cronan was elected vice chair in 1999 Borderlines Economic Development, before being unanimously Truly serving as an and the Kentucky Chamber voted in to position as chair. international meeting place, of Commerce, the landmark the convention center event addressed Kentucky academic and agricultural opportunities in Latin Along for the Ride tenants in 2001. The America. Expanding its international Louisville office of the appeal, the Kentucky Kentucky World Trade International Convention Center and the Office for Center welcomed two new International & Cultural welcomed foreign and Affairs share nearly 5,000 domestic dignitaries for the square feet of space on the Governor’s Conference on corner of Jefferson and Latin America. Hosted by Second Streets. Governor Paul Patton, the Kentucky Cabinet for 5 Kentucky State Fair Board Construction Zone: CONTINUING & FUTURE PROJECTS • Installing new retention Southbound East Wing and East Hall, basins and a 60 foot Development of adding 265,000 square feet storm sewer architectural designs is of class “A” exhibit space. under way for a proposed The expansion would yield a • Reroofing the West Hall expansion of the exposition potential economic gain of • Reroofing a cooling tower center. South Wing C would $200 million annually as well provide 166,500 additional as position the facility as • Clearstory reroofing the square feet of class “A” the third largest among West Wing column-free space and competitors in the region 57,000 square feet of and the sixth