Lexington, KY - Organizers of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games have issued a "cease and desist" letter to Horse Capital Productions (HRC), demanding that HRC remove from its website and marketing materials some 25 inferences of a relationship between its International Equine Festival at The Lexington Convention Center and the Games scheduled during the same 16-day period at the Kentucky Horse Park.
World Games Foundation counsel Joseph Terry confirmed the letter was among several that have been sent to various groups and individuals seeking to imply that their events or products are directly related to the Games. Another was issued to the Georgetown Equine Expo, a trade fair also scheduled to coincide with the Games, Sept. 25-Oct. 10.
Terry, a partner in the Lexington office of Dinsmore & Shohl, said he preferred not to comment at this time since he had not yet received a response from HRC.
Business Lexington
Later, Kimberly Brown, managing partner of Horse Capital Productions, said in an email to , "We did get a letter from the World Games Foundation expressing their concerns, but we don't think anyone would confuse our independently-produced International Equestrian Festival in the
Lexington
Center with the World Equestrian Games
or,
for that matter,
any of the many other wonderful equestrian-related events going on in the
Lexington
area this Fall.
Nobody would assume that we are affiliated in any way with the Alltech World Equestrian Games - our event is not even being held in the same venue as the Games," Brown continued.
"Like others, we are simply celebrating the excitement associated with the Games,
and we have taken great care to establish our independence and our own brand for our event."
Terry handled responses to such territorial marketing disputes during the 1985 NCAA Final Four. He said it is not unusual in these matters to work out an agreement to the satisfaction of all parties.
Hotel scene: rooms during WEG remain available
"We have found that most people think the hotels are all sold out," noted Horse Capital Productions' Brown. She was referring to a popular notion heard frequently in conversations around town that local accommodations for the Games are hard to come by.
Although Alltech has booked the entire downtown Hilton Hotel and a portion of the Lexington Green Hilton for clients, staff and performing artists, plenty of hotel rooms remain available for the two-plus weeks of the 60-nation competition at the Kentucky Horse Park.
Lexington area hotel bookings for the period during the Games are averaging only 68 percent of capacity, according to World Games Foundation Event Manager Darlene Free. "The exception is the peak period between Sept. 30 and Oct. 2," Free said. During that 3-day mid-Games weekend, hotel reservations are now averaging 95 percent of capacity.
Despite the availability of rooms in the immediate vicinity of Lexington, Brown said the International Equestrian Festival has partnered with a hotel in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. "Fortunately, our Hospitality Atrium sponsor, Hollywood Casino, is also able to provide an all-inclusive accommodation package at attractive rates that start at $159/day," she said. (Note: Lawrenceburg, Indiana is a drive of 1-hour, 43-minutes, one-way, from downtown Lexington, according to Google Maps.)
Meanwhile, many Lexington-area hotels that had been demanding a 4-night minimum stay in order to book for the Games, have now dropped the requirement, according to Free. Rates also are said to be softening.
Array of downtown events during WEG
You are forgiven if you're a bit overwhelmed by the dizzying array of events scheduled in and around Lexington between Sept. 25 and Oct. 10.
In addition to the equine event itself, three coinciding festivals are on tap for downtown Lexington: The Spotlight Lexington Festival; The Alltech Fortnight Festival; and the International Equine Festival.
The city's Spotlight Lexington Festival, presented by Saint Joseph Health Systems and sponsored by a host of local businesses, is to feature 16-days of Kentucky foods and live local and regional music enlivening the downtown heart of the city.
A note from the Spotlight website for participating businesses: "In partnership with Sysco Foodservice, Brown Forman, and the Bluegrass Hospitality Association, Spotlight Lexington will be providing free protocol and service training for restaurants and businesses on (Wed.) August 11.
There will be multiple sessions available that day to accommodate busy business schedules.
Go to http://www.bluegrasshospitality.org to find more information and register.
And for information about what's on tap for the Spotlight Festival, go to http://www.lexingtonky.gov/spotlightlexington.
Not only is Alltech presenting the World Equestrian Games, the locally-based global animal nutrition company also is offering, with the support of local business sponsors, The Fortnight Festival 2010. This is a statewide lineup of concerts featuring world renowned artists ranging from Little Feat, Loretta Lynn and The Temptations to The Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band and The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra with Maestro Gustavo Dudamel. More information on the lineup, locations and ticketing is available online at http://www.alltechfortnightfestival.com
The International Equine Festival (IEF) scheduled for The Lexington Convention Center is timed to coincide -but is not affiliated- with the World Equestrian Games.
The IEF, produced by Horse Capital Productions (HCP) and presented by HRTV is an equine exposition featuring booth space for up to 300 vendors. HCP's Brown said "50-70" exhibit spaces remain available. The event counts among its sponsors Alltech rival, Nutrena, an animal nutrition brand of the Cargill Corporation.
The IEF will feature complimentary "Small Business Appreciation Days," opportunities for Chambers of Commerce and businesses from around the Commonwealth to showcase themselves to the anticipated throngs.
And while Hollywood Casino may be located across the border in Indiana, the hotel will have a bold presence at the Festival. "The atmosphere and excitement that Hollywood is bringing to the event is a popular feature people are looking forward to," Brown said. "There will be a disco-themed opening party that's open to the public. For the duration of the event, the ambiance of the hospitality atrium will be reminiscent of glamourous Beverly Hills backyards, with the help of furnishings and patio creations by Housewarmings. Everyone will feel like a movie star," she said.
Stage entertainment in the atrium will feature performers from Hollywood Casino paying tribute to Madonna, Cher and Rod Stewart in the tradition of the "Rat Pack" tribute performances popular in Las Vegas. Those performers will also provide poker, blackjack and table game demonstrations.
More information about the IEF is available online at
http://www.internationalequestrianfestival.com.