Call to Order and Roll Call
The 3rd meeting of the Tourism and Development was held on Monday, November 9, 2015, at 11:00 AM, at the Kentucky Horse Park, Hospitality Tower, Rolex Stadium. Senator Chris Girdler, Chair, called the meeting to order, and the secretary called the roll.
Present were:
Members: Senator Chris Girdler, Co-Chair; Representative Rita Smart, Co-Chair; Senator Stan Humphries; Representatives James Kay and John Short.
Citizen Members: Carolyn Mounce, Eric Summe, Grayson Smith, Mary Quinn Ramer, and Prakash Maggan.
Guests: Jamie Link, Executive Director, Kentucky Horse Park; Christa Marrillia, Director of Marketing, Keeneland; and Ann Sabatino Hardy, Executive Director, Horse Country.
LRC Staff: John Buckner, Lou DiBiase, and Ashlee McDonald.
Horse Related Tourism
Jamie Link, Executive Director, Kentucky Horse Park, welcomed the subcommittee and spoke about Kentucky Horse Park. The park operates 1,224 acres and has been open to the public since 1978. In 2010, Kentucky Horse Park hosted the World Equestrian Games. The event created approximately $200 million in revenue for the state in direct and indirect spending. The park employs 78 full time staff 70 more for seasonal activities. There are 100 standing structures located on the property. The challenge has been trying to operate a government agency by using business principles to become financially self-sufficient. In the most recent study conducted in 2011 by the University of Louisville, the Kentucky Horse Park was found to have a substantial positive economic impact to Kentucky. Mr. Link stated that he is working with an economist for an updated study. The Kentucky Horse Park has approximately a 250,000 tourists every year. The park would like to add more equine education and a premier equestrian facility for tourist promotions.
Responding to a question from Representative Kay regarding the possibility of hosting the 2018 World Equestrian Games, Mr. Link explained that there is a conflict of interest. Since the games would be held in the Rolex Stadium of the Kentucky Horse Park and one of the largest sponsors of the World Equestrian Games is a direct competitor of Rolex watches, it does not seem like a feasible request at this time.
In response to another question from Representative Kay, Mr. Link stated that, through the Department of Education, the Kentucky Horse Park participates in a school field trip program that has proven to be very successful.
Responding to a question from Senator Humphries, Mr. Link explained that the $2.5 million subsidy has remained at a static level since 2010 but that he will get more definite information to the committee regarding state subsidies in an historical context.
Christa Marrillia, Director of Marketing, Keeneland, explained that, according to a 2014 study, racing and sales at Keeneland brought $590 million to Fayette County. During the 2015 Breeders Cup celebrations, there were over 90,000 people who attended with a ticket revenue of $19 million. The total wagered for Breeders Cup weekend was $150 million. There were 450 private jets at Bluegrass Airport, 32 international horses and 4.6 million people watched the Breeders Cup, which is a 58 percent increase from last year.
Responding to a question from Representative Kay regarding the possibility of the 2018 Breeders Cup at Churchill, Ms. Marrillia stated that Keeneland has already been evaluating the possibility of bringing the Breeders Cup back to Keeneland in 2018.
Responding to a question from Representative Smart, Mary Quinn Ramer, President, VisitLex, added that the official numbers of the Breeders Cup and its impact for Lexington will be available in mid December.
Ann Sabatino Hardy, Executive Director, Horse Country Inc., explained that the primary goal of Horse Country Inc. is to develop a program for guests to be provided a tour of premier equine locations. This is to encourage and promote tourism of horse farms and agritourism for the state. Horse Country, Inc. is organized as a privately funded 501(c)6 organization with a governing board of nine members. Ms. Hardy explained that the 577 tickets to tour and meet American Pharoah at Coolmore sold out in less than 24 hours. She anticipates all ticket sales for tours to follow this lead.
Responding to comments from Representative Kay, Ms. Hardy explained that Horse Country has already shown an enormous impact on the participating horse farms.
In response to a question from Representative Smart, Ms. Hardy explained that Horse Country Inc. is reviewing every avenue available to get the company marketed as much as possible.
There being no further business before the committee, the meeting was adjourned at 12:30 p.m.