Kentucky International Convention Center gets new GM

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (July 8, 2014)– The Kentucky State Fair Board has named Linda Edwards as vice president and general manager of the Kentucky International Convention Center.

Edwards, a longtime executive at the fair board, most recently served as vice president of sales and marketing. Edwards was responsible for booking nearly 400 events each year at both the convention center and the Kentucky Exposition Center.

“This is a very high profile and important position in the tourism industry. Linda brings tremendous enthusiasm, solid experience, and strong client relationships to the job,” said Clifford “Rip” Rippetoe, president and CEO of the Kentucky State Fair Board. “She is ideal to oversee the upcoming expansion and renovation of the convention center.”

Edwards, a Louisville native, joined the staff of the Kentucky State Fair Board in 1994. During her tenure, the National FFA Convention left Kansas City after 70 years, bringing 60,000 young people and $40 million in economic impact to Louisville and the Kentucky Exposition Center. Recently, she worked with Louisville Metro Police Department and the Mayor’s Office to open a police substation inside the convention center.

With more than 40 years of experience in the hospitality and tourism industry, she has also held management positions with the Theater Square project, Seelbach Hotel and The Brown Hotel.

Edward’s role as general manager will include overseeing all overall management of the center, as well as sales and marketing, tenant relations, operations, finance, and customer service and the planned facility expansion. She will also work closely with the downtown Louisville community, the Mayor’s Office, the Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau and other metro government officials.

The Kentucky State Fair Board owns and operates two properties, the Kentucky Exposition Center and the Kentucky International Convention Center, which hosts numerous meetings, trade shows and events. The convention center has recently hosted events such as the National FFA Convention, USA Gymnastics, VFW Convention and the United Methodist Women’s Assembly.

The Kentucky State Fair Board accounts for $460 million annually in economic impact for the local community.