The Owensboro Convention Center is one year old.
The 170,000-square-foot facility opened on January 29th of 2014.
Manager Dean Dennis says the first full year of operation was a successful one as the convention center welcomed more than 300 events and 27 conventions.
“We tracked over 5 thousand hotel room nights for that 12 month period," said Dennis. "And the estimated direct spending associated is a little over $1 million.”
Dennis says the convention center exceeded the number of anticipated conventions.
"Originally when the economic studies and analysis were done to build the facility, they were anticipating 8 to 9 conventions a year and we did 27," said Dennis.
Dennis says the center already has 15 conventions booked for this year. He hopes this spring’s opening of the New Holiday Inn will attract larger groups.
The Owensboro Convention Center overlooks the Ohio River and is located on the old Executive Inn site. 173,000 guests passed through the facility in the first year.
