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LCVB video contract goes to local production studio
Lexington-based Post Time Productions has landed the contract to script, shoot, edit and produce a six-minute video program in high definition that the Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau will use as a primary marketing and media tool to promote the region to travelers, meeting and convention planners, tour operators, travel writers, hotel patrons, the media and other vested parties.
A Request for Bids went out to 11 video production studios and independent video producers locally, regionally and out of state, including studios in such larger markets as Cincinnati, Atlanta, Nashville and Louisville.
Post Time GM Doug High said production begins immediately. Video will be shot and edited in high definition, replacing existing LCVB video that is over six years old. In addition, an extensive library of HD footage of the region will be created for the LCVB to utilize for other media and marketing needs, High said.
According to Ellen Gregory of Preston-Osborne, "Post Time was chosen due to its HD capabilities, track record of success, talent, and fully understanding the project and finished product the LCVB is looking for. The fact that the studio is based in Lexington and these production resources are available locally is just a great bonus for us and our client."
LexTran sees record high passenger use
For the first time in its history, Transit Authority of Lexington (LexTran) reported passenger boardings in excess of 300,000 during the month of October 2006.
A total of 333,541 passenger boardings were recorded and the number continues a steady increase in ridership during Fiscal Year 2006-2007, which began July 1, 2006.
"This number translates to a daily average of 11,000 passenger boardings, nearly twice the monthly average of less than two years ago, said LexTran General Manager Terry Garcia Crews. "And more importantly, LexTran has seen increases for 15 consecutive months when compared to the same month of the prior year since August 2005," she added.
Enhanced routes and new services have grown LexTran's service area by 50 percent since passage of the 2004 property tax referendum which funds LexTran, Crews said.
FEI World Equestrian Games adds CFO
The World Games 2010 Foundation, Inc. has added Marty Mathews as its chief financial officer for the foundation's signature event, the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games - to be held at the Kentucky Horse Park in the fall of 2010. Mathews' primary roles with the 2010 Games will be handling all financial and accounting duties as well as developing and managing the overall Games ticket program.
Mathews has extensive experience both within the horse industry and with large sporting events. He most recently served as the director of accounting for the Breeders' Cup and the NTRA and prior to that served as the senior program manager in charge of ticketing for the Atlanta Olympics as well as controller for the Atlanta Braves.
Lexmark installs showcase at new Bryan Station HS
Lexmark has installed 130 products at the new Bryan Station High School. The installation is part of a $500,000 gift in products and services to the Fayette Education Foundation, earmarked for the new school. The mutually beneficial arrangement provides the school with much-needed state-of-the-art printing equipment while Lexmark is provided a showcase to support sales to school systems around the country.
The assortment of Lexmark products range from single-function monochrome laser printers to color multifunction laser printers that can print, copy, scan and fax. Lexmark officials said the multifunction devices offer an entirely new approach to teaching and will serve as a model for the Fayette County school district.
In addition to the equipment, Lexmark will provide ongoing professional services, including training and project management, giving the school's staff and students access to sophisticated printing capabilities.
The printing showcase and new school facility are scheduled to open in January 2007.
Keeneland giving tops $1 million in '06
Keeneland announced it has given over $1 million in contributions to more than 80 charitable organizations in 2006. With this year's contributions, Keeneland's charitable giving totals more than $15 million since its inception in 1936.
The primary categories of funding for Keeneland's contributions program are health and human services; education; arts, culture and community; and Thoroughbred industry-related causes.
This year, more than $450,000 was contributed to organizations that specialize in health and human services. Among the recipients in this category were the United Way of the Bluegrass at $50,000; $25,000 to the Kathleen Riley Torok Memorial Fund at the Blue Grass Community Foundation (the first of a three-year, $75,000 commitment); $10,000 each to God's Pantry, the Hope Center, and Child Development Centers of the Bluegrass; $5,000 for the Toyota Bluegrass Miracle League project; and $5,000 for Central Kentucky Radio Eye toward their new recording studio. Also at the $5,000 level were Girl Scouts Wilderness Road, Foundation for Affordable Housing, Shepherd's House and Partners for Youth.
Payments on multi-year capital campaign commitments were made to the Midway Nursing Home Task Force ($50,000); the American Cancer Society's Hope Lodge project and the Central Kentucky Blood Center ($20,000 each); and Winchester Retirement Village/Brooks Place and Central Kentucky Riding for Hope ($10,000 each).
Arts, Culture and Community programs accounted for $233,000 of 2006 donations. Included in this amount are payments on multi-year commitments for new animal shelters for both the Lexington and Woodford Humane Society ($15,000 each); $15,000 to support Lexington Strides Ahead; $10,000 each to the conservation groups Fayette Alliance and Bluegrass Conservancy; $10,000 toward a $30,000 pledge to support the Lexington Philharmonic endowment; $10,000 to support the Lexington Downtown Development master plan; and $8,500 to LexArts to support its annual campaign.
Educational organizations received $232,700 including more than $135,000 to the University of Kentucky to support various programs; $50,000 to Midway College (part of a three-year, $150,000 pledge); $25,000 to the Transylvania University scholarship endowment; $20,000 to the Fayette Education Foundation (second payment of a $60,000 commitment); and $10,000 for the Pritchard Committee for Academic Excellence to fund a program to help parents become more involved in schools.
Grayson-Jockey Club Research led the list of Thoroughbred industry-related programs supported by Keeneland with more than $210,000 in funding, with the majority earmarked for studies at the Equine Drug Research Institute. Other industry-related initiatives funded were the Kentucky Race Track Chaplaincy ($37,500); the Maker's Mark Secretariat Center ($15,000); the new North American Racing Academy and Gluck Equine Research Foundation (each receiving $10,000); and Old Friends ($7,500).
Not included in the $1 million total was $200,000 generated via Keeneland's partnership with Maker's Mark Distillery for the Markey Cancer Foundation as a result of the successful launch of the 2006 Limited Edition Maker's Mark "Rupp's Runts" bottle sales. UK and the Markey Cancer Foundation will more than match funds raised from the sale of the bottle -- the first in a series of three for the same purpose -- from private sources and money dedicated for cancer research from the cigarette excise tax to generate $1 million per year of the three-year series to fund cancer research.
Talk of the town at upcoming Forum events
It's all about buzz. The Lexington Forum (www.lexingtonforum.org), a non-partisan organization established to foster open discussion of major local issues and developments, is holding its first breakfast meeting of the year on January 4 at the Lafayette Club. UK will make a presentation about one of the region's key economic development projects, the expansion of UK Hospital. Questions from the floor are encouraged.
The Forum will host Mayor Jim Newberry's State of the Merged Government speech in the auditorium at Henry Clay High School at 7pm on January 30.
Jam sessions in downtown Lexington
As part of their continuing efforts to create a new and exciting downtown vibe, the Downtown Lexington Corporation Foundation and the Lexington Center Corporation will launch "LexJam,"a monthly Saturday afternoon jam session series. The series launches on January 6.
Talented amateurs in a variety of genres are invited to share chops with seasoned professionals in the inviting atmosphere of the newly renovated Lexington Center rotunda just off Vine Street. Newcomers are welcomed, as are vocalists. Don't let the amateur status fool you. There are surgeons, professors and shoe salesmen here who can blow your socks off!
Organizers hope that the music created in these sessions will be an interesting reflection of Lexington's increasingly cosmopolitan population and send the message that the downtown area is, indeed, springing to life. 2-5pm, January 6. For information, contact tom@bizlex.com.