Lexington
Evolving Into A World-Class Meetings Destination
By Ashley Wright Nestled in the heart of Kentucky, Lexington not only boasts the title “Horse Capital of the World,” but also offers a one-of-a-kind experience for meeting planners and their attendees from the hundreds of Thoroughbred horse farms within the city to the increasingly active downtown area, said Dennis Johnston, director of sales for the Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB).
And with the upcoming 2010 Alltech FEC World Equestrian Games, he said meeting planners have even more to look forward to when planning their next event in the Lexington area. “With the World Equestrian Games coming in 2010, planners will have an opportunity to benefit from a fresh, clean face on the city,” he said.
According to Johnston, this is the first time the games, which typically draw the same size crowd as the Winter Olympics, have been staged outside of Europe. Therefore, the event has motivated a number of hotels in the area to finish major renovations and has helped the Lexington CVB launch a new hospitality ambassador program that will certify volunteers and employees on an annual basis to provide a higher level of service to visitors. According to Johnston, the first class is slated to graduate from the program in February. “Although we are not implementing the program for the games, it certainly is an added incentive for us to get this program off the ground. As we work to grow our convention business, we see a need for this program to be an asset for us in recruiting larger conferences,” said David Lord, CVB president.
Lower-priced airfare could soon be available for travelers making their way to the Lexington area, thanks to the U.S. Department of Transportation, which recently awarded the Blue Grass Airport a $600,000 grant to apply toward air service development, allowing the airport to seek out low-cost airline service, said Michael Gobb, executive director at Blue Grass Airport. The first quarter of 2008 is set to bring new retail and restaurant facilities. A complimentary “welcome booth” that can be used for conference registration is also available, said Amy Caudill, marketing manager.
The Lexington area boasts several new facilities that were completed in 2007, including numerous additions at the Kentucky Horse Park and renovations and enhancements to Griffin Gate Marriott Resort and Spa. Plus, CVB officials said that more improvements to the city’s meetings infrastructure are planned for the near future as well.
The world will have its eyes on Lexington, Ky., during the 2010 Alltech FEC World Equestrian Games, local officials say. |
The Kentucky Horse Park has completed major renovation and construction projects during 2007, with even more projects slated for its 30th anniversary year in 2008, said Lisa Jackson, director of marketing and public relations. “In addition to planned expansion projects for several buildings, a new office building is expected to be started, and important road improvements will take our drive lanes and access roads from 19th century farm roads to 21st century roads appropriate for an event venue,” Jackson said, adding that construction of a new 6,000-seat, climate-controlled indoor arena should be nearing completion in 2008. Plans are also in the works for a new 8,000- to 10,000-seat outdoor stadium that would be constructed by 2010. And, future projects for the park came one step closer to reality when the state announced recently that a lease agreement was made for a 267-room luxury hotel and conference center that will be built by a private developer at the park. Details have yet to be released.
Griffin Gate Marriott Resort and Spa underwent $20 million in renovations that Lance George, senior sales manager, said have “redefined Kentucky lodging to the finest.” One of the recent renovations includes the addition of a $1.7 million, 7,000-square-foot, full-service spa, which made Griffin Gate the first and only hotel with a full-service spa in Lexington.
The Spa at Griffin Gate offers seven massage rooms, a secluded manicure and pedicure area, and a relaxation room. “Meeting planners now have more leisure options for attendees that can help relieve stress and benefit them even after the conference is over,” said Mark Jeffrey, general manager. Griffin Gate also recently underwent renovations to its meeting space. George said the meeting space has expanded to 26,000 square feet in 21 different rooms.
Griffin Gate has also teamed up with The Embassy Suites Hotel and the Holiday Inn Lexington North to create the Equine District, which offers more than 52,000 square feet of meeting space and 950 guest rooms combined—all within walking distance of each other and with complimentary shuttle service. “Lexington now offers an interstate-accessible quadrant of fine hotels near the Kentucky Horse Park, famous area farms and Keeneland,” said Emilie Hall, sales manager for the Embassy Suites Lexington, “Our combined efforts have really brought the rural, northern end of Lexington to the forefront in terms of offering true ‘Southern Hospitality.’” The Embassy Suites Hotel offers approximately 21,000 square feet of meeting space, and the 302-room Holiday Inn Lexington North offers more than 9,000 square feet of meeting space.
According to Larry Bell, general manager, the Hyatt Regency Lexington has a $16.4 million renovation in the works, which is due for completion by the summer of 2008. “The investment will also support other developments being made throughout the city and help us as we prepare to host the World Equestrian Games.” The Hyatt has 20,000 square feet of meeting space and 365 guest rooms.
The Gratz Park Inn, which Sales Manager Eric Morehead describes as a “quaint, intimate and historic inn,” is currently undergoing a series of renovations, including the addition of a library and a first floor lobby, a new palette of colors, carpeting, furnishings and touching up of guest bathrooms. Gratz Park offers 41 guest rooms and approximately 1,100 square feet of meeting space.
The Hilton Suites Lexington Green, according to Kristi Yahn, director of sales and marketing, completed a full-property, multimillion-dollar renovation in early 2007 that included all 174 guest suites, the restaurant, the lounge, the lobby, the ballroom, all public areas and the fitness center. In January, the hotel will also incorporate the new Hilton Breakfast Buffet. Yahn said the hotel offers guests an added amenity—a sense of ownership. “With our intimate atmosphere, our groups do not have to contend with other large groups or functions and can enjoy ‘ownership’ of the hotel during their functions,” Yahn said.
Attendees can try out the new pool facilities at the Ramada Inn and Conference Center, which has added a new building around the indoor pool and has added a new hot tub as well, said Betty Fowler, director of sales. The hotel plans to install new soft goods in all guest rooms by July, has upgraded all the showerheads according to Ramada standards, and has re-carpeted all interior hallways, said General Manager Katy Stephenson.
The Crowne Plaza Lexington - The Campbell House recently underwent renovations of its meeting space, according to Niki Heichelbech, CVB media/communications manager. The property offers 17 meeting rooms with a total of 26,791 square feet of meeting space.
Key Info · Sales Tax: 6 percent
· Hotel Occupancy Tax: 7 percent
· Local Car Rental Tax: 6 percent
· Average Room Rate Per Night: $119
· Transportation: The cab fare per mile
is $2. LexTran provides the local bus service for Lexington. Log on to www.lextran.com for more information. |
Officials with the 155-room Doubletree Guest Suites Lexington, which offers 5,120 square feet of meeting space, recently announced the hotel would undergo a $5.5 million renovation that will be completed in early 2008. The Four Points by Sheraton - Lexington recently underwent a $3 million renovation, which Assistant General Manager Rebecca Dietterick said made everything practically “brand new,” including a new banquet area. The hotel offers 9,578 square feet of meeting space.
A unique site for groups is the Thoroughbred Center, said Amy Stallings, events coordinator, who said it offers an “advantageous” location in the heart of the Bluegrass 2.5 miles from U.S. Interstates 64 and 75. She also said groups will benefit from its experienced event staff. “Whether visitors come here on business or for pleasure, the center is an ideal location in a city known for its diversity and charming traditions.”
Frankfort
Approximately 25 miles west of Lexington is Frankfort, Kentucky’s capital city. Frankfort offers its own selection of meeting sites, including the Frankfort Convention Center with a 5,300-seat arena and nearly 17,000 square feet of exhibit space, according to Rob Minerich, chief operating officer, booking and scheduling.
The Capital Plaza Hotel and Conference Center, which is a part of the convention center, includes 189 guest rooms. “If you put the hotel together with the convention center, the combination of the two with their ballroom and meeting room space and the arena and its meeting space, which is all within walking distance of each other, is an unbeatable location,” Minerich said.
Also in Frankfort is the Buffalo Trace Distillery, which offers 3,800 square feet of meeting space within two rooms, according to company officials.
