Kentucky Exposition Center and Kentucky International Convention Center Recognized as Top Destinations for Events and Meetings
Louisville Tourism released the fifteen most anticipated 2022 Louisville events with shows at Kentucky Venues dominating the list. Twelve of the top fifteen events will call either the Kentucky Exposition Center or Kentucky International Convention Center home this year.
From major trade shows to music festivals, these twelve events taking place at Kentucky Venues properties are expected to attract more than 800,000 visitors and generate more than $165 million for the local economy. Bookings for 2022 are already on pace to surpass 2021, with more than 150 events currently in the contracting stage. Throughout the year events will continually be added to the robust 2022 calendar.
Top 15 Louisville Events (information from Louisville Tourism)
Bold events take place at Kentucky Venues properties.
| Event Name | Forecasted Attendance | Economic Impact |
| Kentucky Derby / Kentucky Oaks | 240,000 | $324,471,885 |
| 50th Mid-America Trucking Show | 62,050 | $20,781,842 |
| National Farm Machinery Show and Championship Tractor Pull | 303,000 | $20,548,637 |
| TFN Camps & Clinics “Run 4 Roses” | 30,000 | $17,717,445 |
| 53rd NSRA Street Rod Nationals | 30,000 | $16,939,689 |
| Equip Exposition (formerly GIE+EXPO) | 22,500 | $16,252,419 |
| Junior Volleyball Association – 2022 World Challenge | 15,000 | $15,257,384 |
| TFN Camps & Clinics “Battle in the Boro” | 12,000 | $12,914,486 |
| Danny Wimmer Presents – Louder Than Life | 160,000 | $10,294,637 |
| North American International Livestock Exposition | 140,000 | $10,030,988 |
| KIVA Sports/OVVC Adidas Bluegrass Tournament | 10,000 | $9,832,372 |
| Kentucky Derby Festival’s Thunder Over Louisville | 416,250 | $9,132,767 |
| National Speech & Debate Association National Tournament | 8,000 | $7,599,324 |
| Together for the Gospel | 12,750 | $7,450,138 |
| Forecastle Festival | 75,000 | $7,419,090 |
“The events and tourism industry is essential to both the economy of Louisville and the Commonwealth. For Kentucky Venues hosting twelve of the top events in Louisville indicates we’re succeeding in our mission to generate economic impact and host important events,” said David S. Beck, President and CEO of Kentucky Venues.
Downtown bookings have increased by 29% over 2021’s January bookings, a promising start early in the year.
“We’re seeing increased interest and an uptick in bookings at KICC. After a hard couple of years, we’ve had rave reviews and future events booked for satisfied clients. Our busy January is just the start of a successful year for the Louisville events industry,” said Blake Henry, General Manager of the Kentucky International Convention Center.
Kentucky Venues operates two major convention and exhibition facilities, the Kentucky Exposition Center and the Kentucky International Convention Center, that serve regional, national and international clients.
“Louisville’s hosted events will almost double over 2021 levels with a very similar storyline related to hotel room nights. 2021 is forecasted to finish around 320,000 room nights while 2022 could be as strong as 625,000 to 650,000 hosted room nights,” said Doug Bennett, Executive Vice President of Louisville Tourism.