Lexington, KY - Want to know how businesses benefit by supporting the arts? An opportunity to find out comes on Friday when a group of the state's most influential business leaders will gather at a symposium sponsored by the Kentucky Arts Council to discuss their support for the arts and the strategies they employ to integrate the arts in day-to-day and long-term business plans.
"Smart Strategy: A conversation with Kentucky business leaders supporting the arts," will be from 2-5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26, at ArtsPlace, 161 N. Mill St., Lexington.
A reception honoring Alltech Inc., the global animal health and nutrition company founded by Dr. Pearse Lyons and based in Nicholasville, immediately follows the event. Alltech was a recent recipient of the 2012 Americans for the Arts BCA 10 award that recognizes the nation's top businesses supporting the arts.
Topics include:
• The arts and economic development – How the arts are attracting businesses to Kentucky.
• Community development – Making a strong case for a thriving cultural scene in the community.
• Business and the arts – Why Kentucky's top businesses integrate the arts with their business plans.
Panelists and participants include:
• Pearse Lyons, PhD., Alltech, President and Founder
• Deirdre Lyons, Alltech, Director of Corporate Image and Design
• Craig Greenberg, 21C Museum Hotels, President
• Chip Banks, Farmers Bank, Senior Vice President – Investments
• Dave Adkisson, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, President and CEO
• Tom Martin, Business Lexington, Editor in Chief
• Ed Lane, Lane Communications Group, Publisher
• Patrice Varni, Tempur-Pedic, Senior Vice President, Direct-to-Consumer
• Jody Lassiter, Danville/Boyle County Economic Development Authority, CEO
• Roger Leasor, Liquor Barn, Director of Community and Government Relations
• Lori Meadows, Kentucky Arts Council, Executive Director
• Madeline Abramson, Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, Board Chair
• Marcheta Sparrow, Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, Secretary
• Lindy Casebier, Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, Deputy Secretary
• Mayor Jim Gray, Lexington
The event is free but registration is required. Register online at http://artscouncil.ky.gov/Opportunities/SmartStrategyReg.htm. For more information, contact Kate Sprengnether at kate.sprengnether@ky.govor toll free at 888-833-2787.
The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, creates opportunities for Kentuckians to value, participate in and benefit from the arts. Kentucky Arts Council funding is provided by the Kentucky General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts.