LOUISVILLE, KY. (WDRB) -- Louisville has landed a major convention to be held in the city four years from now.
The American Bus Association's Marketplace 2016 will be held at the Kentucky International Convention Center from January 9th to 12th of that year. That will mark the 38th year for the event. A news release on the association's website refers to the Marketplace as, "the premier business event for the group travel industry."
Bus owners and tour operators can meet with members of the travel industry who hope to attract people to the states, cities, attractions, etc. that they represent.
ABA President and CEO Peter J. Pantuso said in a news release, "Louisville was selected after an exhaustive bid process where several cities submitted proposals to host the ABA's Marketplace. Louisville has so many great places to see including the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory, the Kentucky Science Center, the Muhammad Ali Center and of course the Kentucky Derby Museum and historic Churchill Downs Racetrack."
"Louisville already has a lot of options for tour operators and we continue to see tremendous growth," said Jim Wood, president and CEO of the Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau. "By 2016, the ABA can expect to see an expanded bourbon experience with new distilleries along Main Street in addition to the attractions and restaurants that draw visitors to Louisville every year."
The most recent Marketplace was held January 6-10, 2012 in Grapevine, TX. More than 3300 people attended the show, and it was estimated to have pumped $80 million for delegates, suppliers, and the local economy in Grapevine.
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