ABOUT THE CONFERENCE

The Kentucky Travel Industry Annual Conference (KTIAC) is the Commonwealth's only annual conference on tourism. Open to all tourism professionals, exhibitors and anyone interested in Kentucky tourism, this premier three-day conference offers opportunities to network and create lasting partnerships within the travel industry, attend educational sessions, and connect with industry suppliers during our Trade Show.

For an industry and family of professionals that thrive on people to people contact, not being able to meet in-person since 2019 has been painful. That means that the 2021 conference will be an especially meaningful event – one of reunion, celebration and a collaborative look to the future!

CONFERENCE LOCATION

CONFERENCE HEALTH & SAFETY 

In our leadership role as the Kentucky tourism industry's association, we believe that it is extremely important that the conference be held in-person; however an even higher leadership priority must be on doing so with a maximum degree of safety for attendees. Therefore, the following policies have been established and will be in place for the annual conference:

• All attendees must have been vaccinated; or 
• Show proof of a negative COVID test result within 72 hours of on site registration; and
• Wearing a face mask will be required for all indoor events

In arriving at these decisions, we did so based on consideration of CDC guidances, a review of other events, many of which have adopted the same or similar policies, as well as in consultation with the KTIA Board of Directors and Executive Committee.

Although we are viewing the in-person and policy decisions as final, as we all know when it comes to COVID, things can change. These are final plans until and unless circumstances dictate otherwise between now and November 10-12. We will keep you apprised of any further developments.

REGISTRATION

Registration covers all official conference sessions, activities and meal functions. To be eligible for the KTIA Member rate, you must be a current KTIA member.

DELEGATE REGISTRATION

REGISTER NOW

EXHIBITOR REGISTRATION 

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Venue Shipping & Receiving Policy

The Kentucky Travel Industry Annual Conference Trade Show gives industry suppliers excellent exposure and access to attendees from the full spectrum of the industry and key industry leaders. Space is limited, so we encourage you to register early to ensure your space.

With Exhibitor Registration, you receive:

• Exhibit space (includes 8 ft. table plus (2) chairs)
• Listing in exhibitor section of printed program including logo, company description and contact information.
• Admission to all conference sessions, events and meal functions
• Special Trade Show breaks with all delegates
• Excel database of conference delegates

CANCELLATION POLICY

• FULL REFUND: Cancellation notices submitted by October 8, 2021, 11:59 p.m. EST. 
• 25% REFUND: Cancellation notices submitted between October 9 – 26, 11:59 p.m. EST. 
• NO REFUND: Cancellation notices submitted on or after October 26. 

Cancellation requests must be emailed to Sarah Brock. Refunds will be processed within 30 days.

SCHEDULE

All conference events will take place at the Crowne Plaza Louisville Airport unless otherwise noted. Louisville is in the Eastern Time Zone.

2021 Schedule

VOLUNTOURISM OPPORTUNITIES

VOLUNTOURISM PROJECT – Historic Belle of Louisville  

As the oldest operating Mississippi River style steamboat in the world, the Belle is richly deserving of our TLC (Tourism Loving Care). Pitch in for this Louisville and Kentucky icon, owned and operated by the City of Louisville, and enjoy the camaraderie with industry friends of rolling up your sleeves for painting, cleaning, wharf beautification and winterizing for seasonal changes. Note that there is a maximum of 50 attendees for this hands-on event so be sure to register early! The deadline to register is Wednesday, October 27.

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VOLUNTOURISM OPPORTUNITY – St. John Center for Homeless Men

In a new voluntourism feature designed for participation by all conference attendees, we will be collecting donated toiletry items for homeless men. This is an easy, but important way to support the St. John mission of helping people experiencing homelessness and to address the barriers to housing and self-sufficiency so they can leave homelessness for good. As a special opportunity for Hotel & Lodging partners, the center is interested in donations of any gently used hotel furniture that is being recycled – beds, tables, chairs, etc. Donations can be taken to Registration. Thank you in advance!

CITY TOUR

“Getting to Know Whiskey Row"

Prepare yourself for a lifelong memory to be provided by the featured tour stop on November 10 at the Roots 101 African American Heritage Museum and its Sankofa Immersive Experience. Roots 101 is Louisville’s newest attraction and promotes understanding and inspires appreciation of the achievements, contributions, and experiences of African-Americans using exhibits, programs, and activities to illustrate Black history, culture, and art.   

Other tour features include the BOURBON VIBES: Hospitality & Heritage Walking Tour, exploring Bourbon history, Louisville's rich African American culture and hospitality from prohibition through civil rights with Historian and Curator Andrea Meriwether. Lunch will be provided at the “Whiskey Cellar at Oshea’s” in an old-time, intimate, speak-easy; paying homage to the original use of the building, distilling Old Charter Bourbon. Click here to register for the city tour.

SPECIAL NOTE: This tour will be broken down into two groups of 25 and is limited to the first 50 people who register. The deadline to register is Wednesday, October 27.

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SPONSORSHIPS

KTIA sponsorships allow partners to connect, educate, and demonstrate support of the Kentucky travel and tourism industry while building and enhancing key relationships with new and existing clients. Click link below to review 2021 sponsorship levels and the benefits available with each. Email Hank Phillips at [email protected] for any questions and to secure a sponsorship.

2021 SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

HOTEL INFORMATION

The Crowne Plaza Louisville is the official 2021 Kentucky Travel Industry Annual Conference hotel and the location where all conference events, with the exception of the November 10 local activities, will take place. To ensure the conference rate, please refer to information below.

RESERVE ONLINE

RESERVE ONLINE

TRAVERSE AWARDS

The 2021 Traverse Awards for Excellence in Kentucky Tourism Marketing celebrates and honors the talent, creativity and effectiveness in marketing of KTIA members. Winners will be announced throughout the day on Thursday, November 11. 

PROFESSIONAL AWARDS

KTIA celebrates the hard work, dedication and many contributions of our members through awards that are presented each year at the Kentucky Travel Industry Annual Conference. Awards include Mangeot-Oaken Distinguished Service Award, Member of the Year, Emerging Leader and Stars of the Industry. Submissions are due to Hank Phillips by Friday, September 17.

LEARN MORE

BOWLING FOR BOURBON

A conference favorite, Bowling for Bourbon will take place Wednesday, November 10 from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. EST. This year's event will be limited to 80 bowlers so email Sarah Brock to reserve your spot today. Interested in a sponsorship? Click below or email Troy Beam.

In order to be included on the event t-shirt, the deadline to secure a Strike or Spare sponsorship is October 6, 2021.

2021 Bowling for Bourbon Sponsorships

SILENT & LIVE AUCTIONS

KTIAC attendees will have the opportunity to participate in silent and live auctions. The silent auction will take place throughout the day on Thursday, November 11 and the live auction will occur during the Golden Gala Dinner later that evening.

SILENT AUCTION DONATIONS

If you are interested in donating an item to the silent auction, please complete the form below and return the completed copy to Sarah Brock at [email protected].

Special Note: We are happy to receive your auction item onsite at the conference. However, it would be a huge assist to the KTIA team if you will submit your donation form by Monday, November 1 to ensure adequate time to input the information into our online auction platform.

2021 SILENT AUCTION FORM

LIVE AUCTION DONATIONS

Major items will be included in the live auction. Past live auction items have included travel packages, house boat rentals and exclusive experiences. If you are interested in donating a live auction item, please contact Hank Phillips for more information.

ATTIRE

• Local Activities (Tours, Voluntourism, Bowling for Bourbon, Icebreaker) – Casual
• Golden Gala Reception & Dinner – Semi-formal (Guests are encouraged to wear gold or black)
• All Other Conference Events – Business Casual

QUESTIONS?

Contact Sarah Brock at 502.223.8687.