Lexington convention business running high says VisitLex president

Originally published by WEKU.

Cities are always looking for ways to attract more conventions to their area. Lexington is experiencing an uptick in convention activity.

The way VisitLex President Mary Quinn Ramer puts it, more meeting planners are interested in bringing conventions to Lexington than ever before. A major break in all kinds of gatherings happened during the first few years of COVID. But Ramer said that has all changed.

“So, now you have got a fully restored, fully recovered convention business and people are looking for the next place to put their meeting or event and we want that place to be Lexington, always,” said Ramer.

Ramer said the newly expanded downtown convention center, Central Bank Center is a game changer. The visitor and tourism leader said prior to the expansion, Lexington would host 25 city-wide conventions. Now that number is up to about 35 events a year.

“So pleased that the Central Bank Center, our newly expanded convention center is being received so well from meeting planners all over the country. And we continue to grow the book of business. We’ve got more meeting planners interested in bringing conventions to Lexington than ever before,” said Ramer.

Ramer believes what makes a difference is a distinct sense of community in the state’s second-largest city and customizing the experience. Ramer said Lexington is also considered a safe, walkable city.

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Originally published by WEKU.

Republished with permission.

https://www.weku.org/lexington-richmond/2024-10-14/lexington-convention-business-running-high-says-visitlex-president