Calitri reports: Sears home in Cincinnati Ohio, home to Clermont County Tourism office

Calitri reports: Sears home in Cincinnati Ohio, home to Clermont County Tourism office

Posted by Cindy Catanzaro on December 29, 2016 in Batavia

A while back I was doing some research on Beatrice Lask, who identified over 500 Sears Houses in Cincinnati, and came across an article published in the Cincinnati Enquirer dated January 30, 1993.

So, off to Google Maps I went, to see if I could spot the house. Surely it wouldn’t be too hard, since it was on Main St. in Batavia, which is a fairly small village. I did find it pretty quickly, and what a great Sears House it turned out to be.

https://www.discoverclermont.com/clermont-news/8215/


The Ivanhoe was offered in the Sears Modern Home catalogs between 1912 and 1918, but we do know of other instances of Sears selling a house kit for a design that was no longer shown in the catalog. Hopefully the family would have a pretty good idea of the year of build, but I did find the original owner, James Ashburn, listed on “Main St.”, with no house number, in the 1920 Census, which was conducted on the 8th and 9th of January, 1920 in Batavia. That might mean the house was completed prior to 1920, or that the original owner lived in a different house on Main St at the time.

Many thanks to Mark Calitri, Executive Director of the Bureau, for letting me take photos of a lot of the original interior details of the house, like the fireplace with the Rookwood tile, with the triple door bookcases on each side. This makes me feel like a newspaper photographer! (Just kidding.)



Visit Owensboro is the official destination marketing organization for Owensboro and Daviess County Kentucky. www.visitowensboro.com Mark Calitri serves as President/CEO.

Mark Calitri reports: Downtown hotel should boost tourism, officials say But indoor sports facility needed

Mark Calitri reports: Downtown hotel should boost tourism, officials say
But indoor sports facility needed
• By Keith Lawrence Messenger-Inquirer
• Dec 24, 2019

https://www.messenger-inquirer.com/news/local/downtown-hotel-should-boost-tourism-officials-say/article_24dc1d47-5698-5047-bb00-787ae949884f.html
Construction on the 120-room Home2 Suites by Hilton and the 200 apartments attached to it across Second Street from the Owensboro Convention Center should begin in the spring.
And Matt Hayden, who's building the complex with Jack Wells, said the 10- to 12-story project should be ready to open in April 2021 -- if not sooner.
The new hotel is important for the continued growth of tourism in Owensboro, Hayden and Mark Calitri, president of the Owensboro-Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau, said recently.
"In order to attract larger conventions, we have to have at least 350 rooms downtown," Hayden said. "The new hotel will take us to 389 -- 150 at the Hampton, 119 at the Holiday Inn and 120 at the Home2 Suites. That gives us a little cushion."
The new hotel will also bring the total number of hotel rooms in town to more than 1,500.
Mayor Tom Watson said, "The new hotel will be something to hang our hats on. It will create more convention business."
"The new downtown hotel will be transformative for Owensboro and adds another diamond in our crown," Calitri said. "The CVB sees the next few years as crucial for Owensboro as our market has already successfully absorbed the opening of two new hotels with no real decline in hotel occupancy. Our challenge is to be proactive and continue to aggressively pursue innovative ways to attract new visitors and sports and convention groups to fill the hotels.

Mark Calitri reports: 'Sportstown USA': Owensboro 2020 will see major events

Mark Calitri reports: 'Sportstown USA': Owensboro 2020 will see major events

In 2004, Sports Illustrated named Owensboro "Kentucky's Sportstown USA."

And the Owensboro-Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau plans to highlight that designation in 2020.

"We are determined to live up to the title of Kentucky No. 1 Sportstown," Mark Calitri, president of the Owensboro-Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau, said recently. "We earn this title by aggressively pursuing top events across a broad spectrum of sports."

And 2020 should see that effort kick into high gear.

Last week, the CVB announced that the Kentucky Scholastic 3D Archery State Indoor Championship will be at the Owensboro Convention Center from Feb. 27 to March 1.

More than 500 archers are expected to compete for a state championship in their division and class.

Chris McDonald, coordinator for the tournament, said it's moving from Madisonville because it needs a larger venue.

"Owensboro has the perfect venue and so much to offer our families that travel for competitions," he said in a news release.

Laura Alexander, the convention center's general manager, said the tournament's economic impact on the city should approach $400,000

https://www.messenger-inquirer.com/news/local/sportstown-usa-cvb-says-will-see-major-events/article_2bb6dcba-8069-5694-9240-6455d74be295.html



Visit Owensboro is the official destination marketing organization for Owensboro and Daviess County Kentucky. www.visitowensboro.com Mark Calitri serves as President/CEO.

More than 30 international tour operators and travel planners from Brazil and Europe will be in Owensboro on Thursday, Dec. 5, checking out the city's attractions.

More than 30 international tour operators and travel planners from Brazil and Europe will be in Owensboro on Thursday, Dec. 5, checking out the city's attractions.

Mark Calitri, president of the Owensboro-Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau, said Chris Gendek, of Visit Owensboro Destination Services, is in St. Louis this week for the Travel South International conference, talking to the tour operators and planners about Owensboro.

Chris Joslin, executive director of the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum, is also at the meeting, playing bluegrass and telling the tour operators about the Hall of Fame.

Dave Kirk, the CVB's destination management director said a full day of activities is being planned for the visitors from Brazil, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Belgium and The Netherlands.

They are scheduled to arrive at the Holiday Inn Riverfront and Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown Owensboro/Waterfront at 11:15 a.m. Thursday.

After lunch at Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn, they'll tour the Hall of Fame and sit in on a jam session.

Then they'll tour O.Z. Tyler Distillery and throw axes at Escape Today.

The visit will end with dinner at the Owensboro Museum of Fine Art catered by City Walk.

Kirk said Owensboro's proximity to St. Louis made the visit possible.

"They're going to several places in Kentucky," he said. "But we're the first stop, and we'll get to make the first impression."

Kirk said many of the people on the tour have been to New York City and Chicago.

Now, they're looking for something different and authentic, he said.

https://www.messenger-inquirer.com/news/local/plus-international-tour-operators-coming-thursday/article_9ee05bc6-2860-5990-b40b-a9e4ad151d65.html#utm_source=messenger-inquirer.com&utm_campaign=%2Fnewsletters%2Fheadlines%2F%3Frefreshed123%26-dc%3D1575547209&utm_medium=email&utm_content=headline
https://www.messenger-inquirer.com/news/local/plus-international-tour-operators-coming-thursday/article_9ee05bc6-2860-5990-b40b-a9e4ad151d65.html#utm_source=messenger-inquirer.com&utm_campaign=%2Fnewsletters%2Fheadlines%2F%3Frefreshed123%26-dc%3D1575547209&utm_medium=email&utm_content=headline

Visit Owensboro creates campaign as “Kentucky’s Music City”

Visit Owensboro creates campaign as “Kentucky’s Music City”

https://www.owensborotimes.com/news/2019/11/cvb-rebrands-owensboro-as-kentuckys-music-city/

After Owensboro was selected as one of the country’s top 10 music cities through Brand USA’s “Hear the Music” campaign, the Owensboro-Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) decided to rebrand Owensboro as “Kentucky’s Music City.” This rebranding approach proved successful as the CVB earned a gold award for best marketing campaign in Kentucky.

Owensboro’s CVB edged out the larger Kentucky cities of Louisville, Lexington and Bowling Green to claim the top honor for its marketing campaign. Visit Owensboro President & CEO Mark Calitri said this rebranding effort was purposeful in getting the word out about Owensboro’s large-scale music scene.

“In January, the Kentucky Visitor’s Guide will be out, and we’ve got an ad where we’ve named Owensboro as ‘Kentucky’s Music City’ because of the BRAND USA designation,” Calitri said.

Visit Owensboro captured Kentucky Tourism gold award for its Brand USA Hear The Music campaign

http://www.markcalitri.com/visit-owensboro-captured-kentucky-tourism-gold-award-for-its-brand-usa-hear-the-music-campaign/


Visit Owensboro earns gold award for best marketing campaign in Kentucky!

    Visit Owensboro also known as the Owensboro Daviess County Convention and Visitors Bureau captured a gold traverse award for its Brand USA Hear the Music campaign.  Gold represents first place in the category of campaigns.



    “We are extremely proud of our team for earning the highest award for the campaign division.  Visit Owensboro is in the competitive set with Louisville, Lexington, Northern Kentucky and Bowling Green.  Wining this honor shows we can compete with the biggest and best in our state when it comes to marketing our community,” said Kyle Aud, Visit Owensboro Board Chair.



   “Our campaign consisted of several marketing tools for Owensboro being named a top music city.  Those included, press releases, promotional videos, website blogs, digital ads, social media posts, and the local launch event at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum.  We took every opportunity we could to capitalize on being promoted as a top music city,” said Mark Calitri, President & CEO Visit Owensboro.



   This is the second year in a row that Visit Owensboro has won a gold traverse award at the Kentucky Travel Industry’s Annual Conference.  Last year the team won gold for their ROMP campaign and Destination Manager Dave Kirk earned the Kentucky Travel Industry Emerging Leader of The Year.   



Visit Owensboro is the official destination marketing organization for Owensboro and Daviess County Kentucky. www.visitowensboro.com Mark Calitri serves as President/CEO.

Owensboro Rotary club welcomed Mark Calitri as guest speaker

Owensboro Rotary club welcomed Mark Calitri as guest speaker

 Owensboro Rotary program chair Gary Sisk introduced speaker and fellow Rotarian Mark Calitri, President & CEO of the Owensboro Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB). Mark began his presentation by showing a recent promotional video produced in partnership with WLEX.  He followed with a discussion of some of CVB’s current initiatives including: • A vibrant downtown • A renewed photo wall at the airport • Introduction of John Wayne’s family Bourbon, Duke’s, at O.Z. Tyler • A program to prepare frontline workers (restaurant servers, hotel clerks, etc.)  to tell Owensboro’s story • Promoting a renovated Jack Fisher Park with a commercial featuring Pete Rose. Mark concluded his presentation by encouraging Owensboro residents to talk positively about the community



Visit Owensboro is the official destination marketing organization for Owensboro and Daviess County Kentucky. www.visitowensboro.com Mark Calitri serves as President/CEO.
http://www.markcalitri.com/category/in-the-news-leaving-your-mark/

Visit Owensboro is collaborating to drive Owensboro downtown economic development

Visit Owensboro is collaborating to drive Owensboro downtown economic development

Visit Owensboro President Mark Calitri asked City Commissioners Tuesday to contribute $8,500 to the downtown Kentucky Mirror Mosaic project. City officials didn’t confirm whether they’d contribute that amount — the last of the project’s needed funding — at Tuesday’s meeting, saying they’d like to know how much is being contributed by other entities before they commit.

“As you know, the downtown area is key to Owensboro’s economic development,” Calitri said. “The question is, ‘It is worth replacing and what’s the ultimate cost?’”

https://www.owensborotimes.com/features/community/2019/11/large-community-support-helps-fund-downtown-kentucky-mirror-mosaic-project/

Visit Owensboro is the official destination marketing organization for Owensboro and Daviess County Kentucky. www.visitowensboro.com Mark Calitri serves as President/CEO.

John Wayne coming to Owensboro! Dukes Spirit will open the John Wayne experience.

John Wayne coming to Owensboro! Dukes Spirit will open the John Wayne experience.

John Wayne is coming to Owensboro Kentucky. No not the man himself. He died 40 years ago. Duke Spirits, a company that makes bourbon and rye based on the actor’s 1962 handwritten recipes, will be opening its Duke Tasking Room and John Wayne Experience at Owensboro’s O.Z. Tyler Distillery, which crafts the product.

“John Wayne is an international icon,’ Mark Calitri, president of the Owensboro Daviess County Convention and Visitors Bureau, said of the announcement, “ You just can’t buy this type of national and international exposure with a legend like John Wayne, and we are going to capitalize on it.”

https://www.messenger-inquirer.com/news/local/wayne-experience-coming-to-o-z-tyler/article_8809d4f9-b30b-5317-86b4-8bbf21217680.html

Visit Owensboro is the official destination marketing organization for Owensboro and Daviess County Kentucky. www.visitowensboro.com Mark Calitri serves as President/CEO.



https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mark-calitri-06904aa_wayne-experience-coming-to-oz-tyler-activity-6597487369849487360-ZR19

Visit Owensboro collaborates with Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum's first year of operations

Visit Owensboro collaborates with Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum's first year of operations, drawing visitors from 47 states and 15 countries Owensboro Kentucky.

https://www.messenger-inquirer.com/news/local/hof-drew-more-than-in-first-year/article_5bae98f8-dc2e-5826-bfae-169b622a1c41.html#utm_source=messenger-inquirer.com&utm_campaign=%2Fnewsletters%2Fheadlines%2F%3Frefreshed123%26-dc%3D1572782414&utm_medium=email&utm_content=headline

Mark Calitri, CVB president, said the Hall of Fame "has played a key role in the success of Owensboro tourism. I've been impressed with Chris Joslin and his team as they are working hard to create and attract new events like Downtown ROMP. Their fall concert series has been a huge success and they have become a popular wedding destination, which draws in visitors and the money they spend in local businesses right here in Daviess County."

He said, "The Hall of Fame has momentum going into 2020 and I'm looking forward to seeing what creative events they have planned."

Visit Owensboro is the official destination marketing organization for Owensboro and Daviess County Kentucky. www.visitowensboro.com Mark Calitri serves as President/CEO.

Visit Owensboro, Chamber Young Professionals team with Owensboro Regional Airport to drive tourism

The Owensboro Regional Airport teams with Visit Owensboro on a mission to promote the city.

Airport officials teamed up with the chamber of young professionals and the group Visit Owensboro for a project that was unveiled on Thursday.

Airport officials say they’re going to use a decorated wall to promote Owensboro’s main attractions: OZ Tyler, the bluegrass hall of fame and the riverfront.

Airport Director Rob Barnett says you’ll find it right above the baggage carousel. And soon even more traveler will be checking it out.

We have found out Owensboro is adding flights to and from Nashville.

Barnett says the official announcement will be coming in the near future.

“By offering that flight to Nashville not only do you offer it to a destination traveler for all of the sports and things and country related music events in Nashville, but you’re also offering the traveler an opportunity for 80 more destinations, for more connections to the major airlines," said Barnett.

According to Barnett, they don’t have a timeline yet for the Nashville flights. We’ll update this story when that information is released.

https://www.14news.com/2019/10/24/new-welcome-wall-flights-owensboro-regional-airport/


Visit Owensboro is the official destination marketing organization for Owensboro and Daviess County Kentucky. www.visitowensboro.com Mark Calitri serves as President/CEO.

Owensboro Kentucky lands national TV broadcast!

Owensboro Kentucky lands national TV broadcast!

 Todd Squared LLC, the production company behind the PBS series "Bluegrass Underground," will be producing "Masters of Bluegrass," a concert headlined by The Del McCoury Band, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, Sam Bush and several other major bluegrass musicians, in Woodward Theatre in the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum that day.

"This is a really big deal," Mark Calitri, president of the Owensboro-Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau, told his board Tuesday. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."



 Owensboro Kentucky lands PBS Nationawide TV special

Visit Owensboro is the official destination marketing organization for Owensboro and Daviess County Kentucky. www.visitowensboro.com Mark Calitri serves as President/CEO.

Visit Owensboro, O.Z. Tyler, Miller House, and Bluegrass Museum partnership to highlight Owensboro Kentucky to larger market

Visit Owensboro, O.Z. Tyler, Miller House, and Bluegrass Museum partnership to highlight Owensboro Kentucky to larger market

Mark Calitri, President of Visit Owensboro said, ‘This partnership has proved to be extremely valuable in producing results for Daviess County.  The bourbon industry continues to thrive, and Owensboro Kentucky is capitalizing on the momentum.

Owensboro-Daviess County Convention and Visitors Bureau, O.Z. Tyler Distillery, The Miller House and the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum have pooled together resources for an Owensboro-themed campaign in Bourbon Review, a magazine with worldwide reach.

According to Dave Kirk, destination management at the CVB, the year-long campaign with Bourbon Review has already proven successful.

“It’s the most popular bourbon publication in the world and has a large social media following and of course e-newsletter following,” he said.

Kirk said part of the marketing campaign is advertising opportunities on Bourbon Review’s website and email platforms.

“We used a banner ad for The Miller House for one of the Bourbon Reviews last emails and saw a substantial increase in our web traffic,” he said. “People were coming to visitowensboro.com from all over the country. Not only were they coming to the website, but several people then requested visitor guides about Owensboro. It’s one thing to get attention, click through rate and conversion is when you really know something is working when it comes to marketing.”

https://www.owensborotimes.com/features/community/2019/09/cvb-o-z-tyler-miller-house-hall-of-fame-partnership-highlights-owensboro-to-larger-market/


Visit Owensboro is the official destination marketing organization for Owensboro and Daviess County Kentucky. www.visitowensboro.com Mark Calitri serves as President/CEO.

Owensboro Daviess County Kentucky CVB creating 'Storytellers' program

The Owensboro-Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau will soon unveil an Owensboro Storytellers program, providing training for frontline workers from hotels, restaurants and other places that deal directly with visitors.

The idea, Mark Calitri, CVB president, said, is to keep those people informed about what's happening in the community so they'll know how to answer, "What is there to do in Owensboro?

http://www.markcalitri.com/owensboro-daviess-county-cvb-creating-storytellers-program/

Owensboro Kentucky continues to thrive with a vibrant art scene according to Mark Calitri 

Owensboro Kentucky continues to thrive with a vibrant art scene according to Mark Calitri

The Owensboro-Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau has agreed to provide $1,000 toward the cost of replacing Gary Bielefeld's Kentucky Mirror Mosaic -- a giant mirrored map of Kentucky that is Owensboro's largest and most visible piece of public art.

https://www.messenger-inquirer.com/news/local/cvb-contributes-toward-mirror-mosaic/article_f717895a-81a9-540c-bff3-05d33245646e.html



Vibrant art represents an icon for Owensboro. This community continues to evolve and grow while keeping based in a strong culture. That’s a feat few can boast according to Mark Calitri, President/CEO of Visit Owensboro.
Visit Owensboro is the official destination marketing organization for Owensboro and Daviess County Kentucky. www.visitowensboro.com Mark Calitri serves as President/CEO

The Kentucky Mirror Mosaic is a true icon for Owensboro

http://www.markcalitri.com/the-kentucky-mirror-mosaic-is-a-true-icon-for-owensboro-l/


The Kentucky Mirror Mosaic, one of Owensboro’s Kentucky’s most recognizable landmarks, is in the process of being replaced with the hopes of unveiling a new project by Christmas

Visit Owensboro President and CEO said it is community art like the Kentucky Mirror Mosaic that sets a city apart from others.

“This mosaic is a part of several projects that when you pull them all together showcases Owensboro,” Calitri said.

The Kentucky Mirror Mosaic is a true icon for Owensboro. This community continues to evolve and grow while keeping based in its culture. That’s a feat few communities can claim.-Mark Calitri

https://www.owensborotimes.com/entertainment/art/2019/09/artist-begins-kentucky-mirror-mosaic-replacement-project/

Visit Owensboro is the official destination marketing organization for Owensboro and Daviess County Kentucky. www.visitowensboro.com Mark Calitri serves as President/CEO.

Bourbon Bluegrass Music and Barbecue dominate branding for Owensboro Kentucky

Bourbon Bluegrass Music and Barbecue dominate branding for Owensboro Kentucky

The Owensboro Daviess County Convention and Visitors Bureau advertise Owensboro as the home of bourbon, bluegrass, and barbecue. And this fall, its starting to push all three attractions a lot harder.



Mark Calitri, president of the CVB said its important to focus on bourbon because ‘bourbon people have money to spend.”



http://www.markcalitri.com/bourbon-bluegrass-music-and-barbecue-dominate-branding-for-owensboro-kentucky/



Visit Owensboro is the official destination marketing organization for Owensboro and Daviess County Kentucky. www.visitowensboro.com Mark Calitri serves as President/CEO.

LEX 18 Features Owensboro For It's On

Check out what our good friends from LEX 18 in Lexington, Kentucky did during their time in Owensboro.  Owensboro is the perfect weekend trip especially for those in central and eastern Kentucky. Mark Calitri, President of Visit Owensboro said Owensboro Kentucky is the cultural and culinary hub of Western Kentucky.

Owensboro Kentucky Mirror Mosaic to be replaced

Owensboro Kentucky Mirror Mosaic to be replaced

Gary Bielefeld's Kentucky Mirror Mosaic -- a giant mirrored map of Kentucky -- is Owensboro's largest and most visible piece of public art.

"It's iconic," Mark Calitri, president of the Owensboro-Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau, said Tuesday. "It's a really important piece of art."

http://www.markcalitri.com/owensboro-kentucky-mirror-mosaic-to-be-replaced/

"It's important to see community leaders like Gary step up with a project like this," Calitri said. "It's part of the beautification efforts in the community."

He said the CVB will begin promoting the Kentucky Mirror Mosaic to tourists once the project is completed.

Visit Owensboro is the official destination marketing organization for Owensboro and Daviess County Kentucky. www.visitowensboro.com Mark Calitri serves as President/CEO.

Calitri promotes new feature article in Lane Report-Owensboro Kentucky thrives as a destination

Tourism, convention center renovations continue to push construction in the hospitality sector

In Owensboro, two new hotels – Best Western Plus and TownePlace Suites – recently opened their doors with 63 and 102 rooms, respectively, according to an article in the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer, which also noted that the city had just under 1,300 hotel rooms at the end of 2018.

Ground was broken in early June of this year on another 120-room hotel across from the Owensboro Convention Center, a Home2 Suites by Hilton.

Mark Calitri, president/CEO of Visit Owensboro, credits a few factors for the new hotel construction in town. Brand USA, which is the marketing agency for the U.S., named Owensboro a top 10 music destination for 2019, he said. In addition, there are increased youth sporting events, the O.Z. Tyler Bourbon distillery officially joined the Kentucky Bourbon Trail last year and the new Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum opened late last year.

Calitri says the new hotels will only add to the visitor traffic momentum.

“These new hotel developments will allow Visit Owensboro to pursue larger conventions, since we will now have more hotel rooms in walking distance to our convention center. Since September 2018 up through August 2019, Owensboro has set several records in hotel occupancy and revenue.”

https://visitowensboro.com/2019/07/hospitality-construction-making-room-for-more-hotels/?olink=%2Fcategory%2Fnews%2Fvisit-owensboro-president-ceo-speaks-tourism%2F&otitle=CEO+speaks+tourism&rtax=category&rterm=614

Mark Calitri announces tourism officials making Owensboro Kentucky a sports destination.

Mark Calitri announces tourism officials making Owensboro a sports destination.

   Owensboro Kentucky continues to thrive as sports tourism grows. This next year Owensboro will host a wide array of Kentucky State Championships including:

2 A State Championships- 7 sports

Kentucky State Archery Championships

Kentucky All A Baseball Championships

Kentucky All A Girls Softball Championships

Calitri said, “Convention bookings continue to climb, and we are looking at record breaking years in 2021, 2022, and 2023. “



Visit Owensboro is the official destination marketing organization for Owensboro and Daviess County Kentucky. www.visitowensboro.com Mark Calitri serves as President/CEO.



https://vimeo.com/user98054712/review/359878519/2ab1685010

http://www.markcalitri.com/mark-calitri-announces-tourism-officials-making-owensboro-a-sports-destination/

Tourism, convention center renovations continue to push construction in the hospitality sector

Tourism, convention center renovations continue to push construction in the hospitality sector

In Owensboro, two new hotels – Best Western Plus and TownePlace Suites – recently opened their doors with 63 and 102 rooms, respectively, according to an article in the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer, which also noted that the city had just under 1,300 hotel rooms at the end of 2018.

Ground was broken in early June of this year on another 120-room hotel across from the Owensboro Convention Center, a Home2 Suites by Hilton.

Mark Calitri, president/CEO of Visit Owensboro, credits a few factors for the new hotel construction in town. Brand USA, which is the marketing agency for the U.S., named Owensboro a top 10 music destination for 2019, he said. In addition, there are increased youth sporting events, the O.Z. Tyler Bourbon distillery officially joined the Kentucky Bourbon Trail last year and the new Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum opened late last year.

Calitri says the new hotels will only add to the visitor traffic momentum.

“These new hotel developments will allow Visit Owensboro to pursue larger conventions, since we will now have more hotel rooms in walking distance to our convention center. Since September 2018 up through August 2019, Owensboro has set several records in hotel occupancy and revenue.”

 http://www.markcalitri.com/hospitality-construction-making-room-for-more-hotels/

https://www.lanereport.com/116737/2019/09/hospitality-construction-making-room-for-more-hotels/

Owensboro Kentucky: Chamber CEO named a top woman in business

http://www.markcalitri.com/chamber-candance-brake-mark-calitri/

Owensboro Kentucky: Chamber CEO named a top woman in business

Owensboro Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Candance Castlen Brake was named one of seven top women in business by The Lane Report.

“Candance has been our most valuable asset in helping to transform Visit Owensboro into an award-winning organization,” said Mark Calitri, President & CEO of Visit Owensboro. “In today’s world filled with so much negativity Candance is a positive light for Visit Owensboro, me personally, and she is Owensboro’s #1 cheerleader.”



https://www.lanereport.com/115585/2019/07/top-women-in-business-3/

Visit Owensboro is the official destination marketing organization for Owensboro and Daviess County Kentucky. www.visitowensboro.com Mark Calitri serves as President/CEO.

Calitri reports: Turf at Fisher Park 'game-changer

http://www.markcalitri.com/calitri-reports-turf-at-fisher-park-game-changer/

During the August board meeting of the Owensboro Daviess County Convention and Visitors Bureau Jared Bratcher highlighted the success and opportunities in sports tourism for Owensboro.  Mark Calitri introduced Bratcher and asked him to outline the scope of sports marketing and how the CVB collaborates with the Owensboro and Daviess County Parks Department to schedule tournaments.

Mark Calitri interviews Knox County Central High School Cheerleaders

Mark Calitri speaks tourism: O.Z Tyler continues to lead tourism for Daviess County.

Mark Calitri speaks tourism:  O.Z Tyler continues to lead tourism for Daviess County.





O.Z. Tyler Distillery
was recognized as the Manufacturer of the Year at the 2019 Chamber celebration.

Owensboro has started to
create the foundation to build a sustainable tourism infrastructure, which also
offers quality of life amenities and experiences to residents.

Hear the Music: Owensboro, Kentucky

Brand
USA takes Owensboro Kentucky to world stage

Owensboro
tourism moved to the international stage Thursday night with the launching of
Brand USA's "Hear the Music, Experience The USA" campaign locally.

Brand
USA, the marketing agency for American tourism, selected Owensboro as one of
its Top 10 American music cities last year.

And a
short video about Owensboro has already drawn more than 4.1 million views --
and 22 million impressions, the number of times the website is opened --
worldwide.

That's
more than any other city in the campaign, Tom Garzilli, chief marketing officer
for Brand USA, told a crowd gathered at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame &
Museum.

Mark
Calitri, president of the Owensboro-Daviess County Convention & Visitors
Bureau, called the promotion "a beautiful opportunity for Owensboro."

It's
time, he said, for the area to capitalize on its music heritage.

Kristen
Branscum, commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Tourism, said Thursday was
a time "to celebrate another feather in Owensboro's cap."

The
community's bourbon, bluegrass and barbecue promotion is something authentic
that tourists -- foreign and domestic -- are looking for, she said.

Bluegrass
music, Branscum said, "is a calling card for Owensboro and the entire
state."

Brand USA Hear the Music: Owensboro, Kentucky

Brand
USA takes Owensboro Kentucky to world stage

Owensboro
tourism moved to the international stage Thursday night with the launching of
Brand USA's "Hear the Music, Experience The USA" campaign locally.

Brand
USA, the marketing agency for American tourism, selected Owensboro as one of
its Top 10 American music cities last year.

And a
short video about Owensboro has already drawn more than 4.1 million views --
and 22 million impressions, the number of times the website is opened --
worldwide.

That's
more than any other city in the campaign, Tom Garzilli, chief marketing officer
for Brand USA, told a crowd gathered at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame &
Museum.

Mark
Calitri, president of the Owensboro-Daviess County Convention & Visitors
Bureau, called the promotion "a beautiful opportunity for Owensboro."

It's
time, he said, for the area to capitalize on its music heritage.

Kristen
Branscum, commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Tourism, said Thursday was
a time "to celebrate another feather in Owensboro's cap."

The
community's bourbon, bluegrass and barbecue promotion is something authentic
that tourists -- foreign and domestic -- are looking for, she said.

Bluegrass
music, Branscum said, "is a calling card for Owensboro and the entire
state."

Mark Calitri VisitOwensboro OZ Tyler Kentucky Bourbon Trail

Exploring Kentucky | Bourbon drives visitation to Kentucky: Mark
Calitri speaks tourism 





O.Z.
Tyler modernizes bourbon production, expands distillery to 95,000 annual
barrels

When O.Z. Tyler decided to
rehab the old Medley Distillery in 2014, they had to turn deterioration, from
the 25 years the facility sat vacant, into what is set to become the world’s
fourth-largest independent bourbon distillery.

Call said the $25 million renovation
not only allowed for new electrical, plumbing and piping systems, but also gave
the distillery a chance to modernize and automate the centuries-old bourbon
craft.

Mark Calitri Brand USA PIcks Owensboro top 10 music city

Brand
USA takes Owensboro Kentucky to world stage

Owensboro
tourism moved to the international stage Thursday night with the launching of
Brand USA's "Hear the Music, Experience The USA" campaign locally.

Brand
USA, the marketing agency for American tourism, selected Owensboro as one of
its Top 10 American music cities last year.

And a
short video about Owensboro has already drawn more than 4.1 million views --
and 22 million impressions, the number of times the website is opened --
worldwide.

That's
more than any other city in the campaign, Tom Garzilli, chief marketing officer
for Brand USA, told a crowd gathered at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame &
Museum.

Mark
Calitri, president of the Owensboro-Daviess County Convention & Visitors
Bureau, called the promotion "a beautiful opportunity for Owensboro."

It's
time, he said, for the area to capitalize on its music heritage.

Kristen
Branscum, commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Tourism, said Thursday was
a time "to celebrate another feather in Owensboro's cap."

The
community's bourbon, bluegrass and barbecue promotion is something authentic
that tourists -- foreign and domestic -- are looking for, she said.

Bluegrass
music, Branscum said, "is a calling card for Owensboro and the entire
state."

The
campaign targets the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, India, France, Germany,
Japan, South Korea, Brazil and Mexico.

The
content is available in English, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese
and Spanish.

VisitTheUSA.com                  https://www.messenger-inquirer.com/news/local/in-the-spotlight/article_52ed632b-eb01-5a48-bf48-3309f2efbaba.html

Visit Owensboro is the official
destination marketing organization for Owensboro and Daviess County Kentucky. www.visitowensboro.com Mark Calitri serves as President/CEO.

Mark Calitri Visit Owensboro Sports Presentation

CEO Mark Calitri speaks sports tourism in Owensboro Kentucky

“Sports tourism is really important to our economy as a whole, and there are three really important components to that,” said Convention and Visitors Bureau president and CEO Mark Calitri. “One of the three most important components is to have quality event managers who bring good events to Owensboro.”

A part of that success comes from event planners and managers John and Trish Grass, who work with 3Up 3Down and their dedication to bettering cities like Owensboro.

http://www.markcalitri.com/ceo-mark-calitri-speaks-sports-tourism-in-owensboro-kentucky/

CEO Mark Calitri speaks: Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari announced this week that it is adding Cheetah Chase, a third water coaster.

CEO Mark Calitri speaks: Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari announced this week that it is adding Cheetah Chase, a third water coaster.

Matt Eckert, Holiday World's president, said the $7 million investment will make the Spencer County, Indiana, theme park "the undisputed Water Coaster Capital of the world."

And that's good news for Owensboro.

"We are extremely fortunate to be only 35 minutes away from Holiday World, which is one of the best amusement parks in the entire country," Mark Calitri, president of the Owensboro-Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau, said of the announcement. "Holiday World is a great asset to Owensboro."

He said, "It's a great additional amenity for the guests that are already in Owensboro attending a sporting event or convention at the Owensboro Convention Center. And, with Owensboro's proximity to the park, we are seeing Holiday World visitors looking to add value to their trip by visiting O.Z. Tyler Distillery, the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum and our amazing Riverwalk scene."

http://www.markcalitri.com/ceo-mark-calitri-speaks-holiday-world-splashin-safari-announced-this-week-that-it-is-adding-cheetah-chase-a-third-water-coaster/