Breaking News: Louisville Tops the Event Horizon

A Festival and Event City
You might not realize it because they seem so commonplace here, but Louisville is a superstar when it comes to putting on festivals and events. Better yet, festivals and events create tremendous capital, generating healthy sources of revenue through tourism while contributing significantly to the quality of life and our overall attractiveness.

The World Festival and Event City Award
A few weeks ago, the International Festivals & Events Association announced and recognized the 2010 recipients of the inaugural “IFEA World Festival and Event City” award during the 55th Annual IFEA Convention and Expo in Saint Louis. The award is a way for the industry to support and recognize positive local environments for festivals and events worldwide.

The Winner of the World Festival and Event City Award
You guessed it, Possibilitator: as Top North American City for Populations of Over One Million, Louisville was judged Number One in its class, “co-winning” the award with Sydney, Australia, which won it internationally. Governmental leadership coupled with professional and volunteer guidance was highlighted for its role in helping the events thrive economically and culturally.

Celebrating the Winner of the World Festival and Event City Award
Join us in the presentation of this international award this Friday, December 10 at 1:30 p.m. in the lobby of the KFC Yum! Center (Third and Main Streets). Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson and Louisville Mayor-Elect Greg Fischer will be there to accept the award from Steve Schmader, President and CEO of IFEA. Also, a cool dozen of Possibility City’s homegrown festivals and events – from St. James to Forecastle — will receive awards for their special-ness.

Sharing the Winner of the World Festival and Event City Award Winner
You’re a mover and shaker. A Possibilitator. And just maybe you’re someone who knows of an event or an organization that should call Louisville home. Maybe your second-cousin-twice-removed is in charge of selecting a city to host its next convention, or your Uncle Morty got saddled with finding a cool place for next year’s annual company meeting.

Let us know what you know . . . and how you’d suggest we sell Louisville as a place where events, festivals, meetings, and conventions long to be. Send us an email by clicking here.

Did You Know . . .

• Louisville tourism generates $200 million in state and local taxes annually.
• The economic impact of direct visitor spending in Louisville is $1.1 billion.
• Tourism is the third-largest service industry in Louisville

Lou’s In the Sky with Diamonds

Roll Over Beethoven
It really doesn’t matter what sort of music you listen to. From classical to whatever-the-heck the latest sound is, Louisville gets to be center stage to just about all of it.

Day Tripper
Abbey Road on the River | May 27–31
This holiday weekend over 30,000 music fans will be descending on the Belvedere to pay homage to the Beatles in the biggest event of its kind in America. With an average of over 60 bands annually, the festival features different types of bands . . . from acts that look, sound, and behave like the Beatles to others that just play the music of Lennon, McCartney, and Harrison without trying to reproduce the sound. Click here for more information.

Do You Want to Know a Secret?
Show up on Monday, tell ‘em you’re a Friend of Lou, and you can go to the festival for free. For nothing. Gratis. Want to stay longer? The Galt House is offering a special $99 rate. Same deal — just tell them who sent you.

Money (That’s What I Want)
University of Louisville Guitar Festival and Competition | May 28–31
The University of Louisville School of Music inaugural Guitar Festival and Competition assembles an international roster of top-rate guitarists, including Jason Vieaux, the Tantalus Quartet, William Yelverton, Dieter Hennings, David Walker, and others. The festival also features a competition . . . presumably for the highly strung . . . that comes with a fat $1,000 first-place award and concert. Click here for more information.

Got To Get You Into My Life
Forecastle Festival | Friday July 9–11
If you prefer your rock to look forward than backward, Forecastle’s for you. Founded right here in Possibility City, the event is equal parts music, art, and activism. Connecting the progressive Midwest, Forecastle has grown from 700 people in 2002 in Tyler Park to over 12,000 people at the Belvedere. Spin magazine named it one of the top “101 Things to Do in America.” The festival’s growing so much that its moving to Waterfront Park this year. Click here for more information.

P.S. I Love You
You know us — the very souls of philanthropy. EMAIL US the best concert or band you ever saw perform in Louisville, and the story that impresses us the most will get two tickets to Forecastle — plus we’ll share it in our next email, ensuring you not only of great wealth but immediate fame.

I Want to Tell You
HullabaLOU | July 23–25
Since we’re on the topic of music and festivals, let’s not forget the newest addition to Louisville’s music lineup — HullabaLOU. Sure, it has a cool name, but it also has three days of music, five stages set in one of America’s most legendary venues (Churchill Downs), and more than 65 artists ranging from Al Green to the Zac Brown Band. Click here for more information.