Lexington, KY - Spectators at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games will get a sensory tour of the state in 2010 without ever leaving the grounds of the Kentucky Horse Park.
The Kentucky Experience, an interactive collection of tourism exhibits, arts and entertainment presentations, and Kentucky-made product sales and samplings, will showcase the best that Kentucky has to offer during the 16-day event. The facility, which will be located within walking distance of the Games' events, will not only give visitors a "Mini-World Fair" showcase of their hosting state, according to organizers, but will also be equipped to help interested visitors arrange for tours and excursions across Kentucky, or ship purchases of local products around the globe, according to Mike Cooper, commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Travel and Tourism, one of the planning organizations behind the 25,000-square-foot endeavor.
The Kentucky Experience facility will feature a welcome center and courtyard area, surrounded by a 6,500-square-foot product pavilion that will offer product sales and sampling opportunities, a 6,500-square-foot exhibit pavilion highlighting Kentucky's nine tourism regions, and a 4,100-square-foot entertainment pavilion featuring live performances of Kentucky-based arts ranging from Bluegrass music to ballet to clogging.
"As much as it's a horse event, it is also a cultural event, and it certainly is a cultural opportunity for Kentucky," said Everett McCorvey, FEI World Equestrian Games Foundation board member, vice-chairman of the Kentucky Arts Council and director of opera at the University of Kentucky. "Our plan is to showcase Kentucky artists in both large formats and small formats. Ö People in Kentucky know how special Kentucky is, but I think people from around the world are going to be surprised by what they see."
Developed through the state's Department of Travel and Tourism and the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet in conjunction with the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010, the Kentucky Experience is the result of numerous public and private partnerships with groups including the Governor's Office on Agricultural Policy, the Kentucky Grape and Wine Council, the Kentucky Arts Council, Alltech, the Kentucky Distillers Association and representatives from tourism regions across the state. The project is expected to be paid for through a combination of private and public funds, and organizers hope to engage the state's businesses and corporations with multiple customized sponsorship opportunities, said Project Manager Cheryl Hatcher, chief sales and marketing officer of the Kentucky Department of Travel. In addition to possible naming rights for the pavilion, the Kentucky Experience may also offer hospitality options for businesses seeking to host guests for private evening functions.
Kentucky Experience organizers will be working with the Kentucky Proud program, the Kentucky Arts Council and the Kentucky Artisan Center to select the products that will be available for sale and sampling at the event, Hatcher said.
Kentucky Experience organizers have also launched the Web site www.thekentuckyexperience.com to promote Kentucky's travel and tourism opportunities to the WEG audience worldwide in advance of the event. Web viewers and international media will be able to use the site to preview some of Kentucky's offerings and start planning their agendas for during their visit or a possible return trip.
"The Kentucky Experience will showcase our commonwealth not only to those who come to the Games, but also to those who are watching the Games from all over the world," said Marcheta Sparrow, secretary of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet.
Businesses looking for more information on the Kentucky Experience are encouraged to check the Web site www.thekentuckyexperience.com, or contact Hatcher at cheryl.hatcher@ky.gov.