GuildMove

The Knifemakers Guild has just announced that 2008 will be their last show at the Buena Vista Palace in Orlando, Florida. I for one am thrilled with the move. Not only because it is my hometown but I really do think Louisville will make an excellent and much more centrally located home for the Guild Show.

The Guild has had a nice long run in Orlando and I am sure there are some Floridians who will be disappointed but the Guild is trying to move in new directions and I think this is a very positive step. When I heard that the Guild was looking for a new home, I asked "Why not Louisville?". Guild President, Gil Hibben, was reluctant to suggest Louisville as the new home since he lives only about 20 miles outside of Louisville and he feared it would appear to be self-serving.

I did some research comparing Louisville to some of the other cites being considered including Orlando, Atlanta, St Louis, Kansas City, Nashville, Indianapolis, and Denver. The facts kept shining through that Louisville is one of most centrally located cities in the country. That is why numerous conventions and trade shows have moved here from other cities and it is why UPS decided to located their hub here.

See for yourself. I started out by looking at a 500 mile radius of various cities. I figured 500 miles was about the maximum for a good 1-day drive and a reasonable flight. Looking at Louisville compared to Orlando, it is obvious that MANY more people are conveniently located to Louisville.

A 500 mile radius of Orlando includes: ALL of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina; MOST of Alabama; and PART of North Carolina, Mississippi, Tennessee.

In contrast, a 500 mile radius of Louisville includes: ALL of Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina; MOST of Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas; and PART of Iowa, Wisconsin, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Canada.

Numerous major conventions have moved to Louisville from other convention cities such as Las Vegas, Atlanta, St Louis, Kansas City and Indianapolis because of Louisville's great central location, easy traveler access, and plenty of affordable lodging and dining opportunities.

There are at least 25 cities with populations over 100,000 within 500 miles driving distance of Louisville and 12 of the top 50 cities in the US by population are within that 500 mile range. There are over 12 million people within a day's drive just counting the city dwellers. 7.5 million are within a 300 mile radius.

I don't think there is anyplace outside of New York or Los Angeles that can make that claim. As far as exposure potential, Louisville makes a very good case. There are good population centers in EVERY direction that could be attracted to Louisville.

City	State	Pop (Thousands)	US Pop Rank	Distance from Louisville (Miles)
Chicago	IL	2,833	3	296
Detroit	MI	918	11	361
Indianapolis	IN	785	13	115
Columbus	OH	733	15	206
Memphis	TN	670	17	387
Charlotte	NC	630	20	490
Milwaukee	WI	602	22	390
Louisville	KY	554	27	0
Nashville	TN	552	29	174
Atlanta	GA	486	34	421
Kansas City	KS	447	39	509
Cleveland	OH	444	40	349
St Louis	MO	353	52	261
Cincinnati	OH	332	56	99
Pittsburg	PA	312	57	388
Toledo	OH	298	60	301
Lexington	KY	270	68	78
Ft. Wayne	IN	248	70	237
Greensboro	NC	236	78	492
Birmingham	AL	229	81	365
Akron	OH	209	92	332
Knoxville	TN	182	123	247
Dayton	OH	156	144	152
Chatanooga	TN	168	145	306
Evansville	IN	115	206	118

25		12,762

Positive points of consideration for Louisville:

International air service at Louisville International Airport only 10 minutes from downtown Louisville.
Very good Interstate access from all directions via Interstates I-65, I-71 and I-64.
Driving and traffic is not bad compared to Orlando, Atlanta or other big cities.
"4th Street Live" within easy walking distance to downtown hotels with numerous restaurants, bars and entertainment.
Cruises and dinner cruises available on several Ohio River boats including the Belle of Louisville authentic steamboat.
Frazier Historical Arms Museum only a few blocks away. VERY impressive museum with lots of knives and swords.
Relatively safe, low-crime city.
Ample parking on the street and in numerous downtown parking garages. Free street parking on weekends.

Other Nearby Local Attractions: Bring the family for a mini vacation.

Churchill Downs / KY Derby Museum
Hillerich & Bradsby Factory and Museum (Tours available). Where they make "Louisville Slugger" baseball bats and golf clubs.
Belle of Louisville. Oldest authentic sternwheel steamboat still operating. Daily public and private cruises.
Waterfront Park / Belvedere. Beautiful Ohio riverfront parks. (Walking distance)
Muhammad Ali Center. (Walking distance)
Louisville Stoneware: Internationally recognized handmade, hand painted pottery and stoneware.
Locust Grove: National Historic Landmark on 55 acre farm and home of George Rogers Clark.
Louisville Zoo
Kentucky Kingdom Six Flags amusement park.
Kentucky Center for the Arts: Broadway Series concerts and plays. (Walking distance)
Louisville Palace: High-end theatre for concerts and big-name performers. (Walking distance)
Caesars Indiana casino boat 20 minutes north.
Slugger Field: America's finest minor league baseball park. Downtown Louisville. (Walking distance)
Skateboard Park: One of the nations best. Downtown.
Historic Frankfort Avenue (Restaurant Row). 15 minutes from downtown. Dozens of unique restaurants and shops.
KY Fair and Expo Center: One of the nation's largest indoor expo centers. Multiple shows and attractions every week.
KY International Convention Center: Downtown. Shows and conventions.
Papa Johns Stadium: Home of University of Louisville football.

So again I ask "Why not Louisville?" It make good sense and is a GREAT location. As a lifelong resident, I can attest that this is a great city. When the NRA held it's national convention here a few weeks ago I heard only good things about this town from everyone I talked to.

I am very pleased that the Guild listened to my, and others, wishes. The Guild also consulted an experienced professional meeting planner and they came to the same conclusion that Louisville was a very good fit for the Guild Show.

The Guild then sent a party to Louisville to look at some venues. The one they chose will knock your socks off! I will leave it to the Guild to announce the exact location at this year's meeting but I will tell you that it is magnificent! Dripping with luxury, elegance and history. Adjacent to, or close to, outstanding dining, entertainment and attractions. I am confident that the Guild Members and show attendees will be thrilled.

Anyway, that's the scoop. I must say that I never imagined that staging a show like this, or even finding a venue, was so complicated. There is a lot more to consider than I would have imagined. My hat is off to Gil and Linda Hibben, Lowell and Mary Bray, and everyone else who worked so hard to pull this together.

No location is going to please everyone and I am sure there will be some grumblings about leaving Florida but several Guild members had voiced their displeasure with the current location. The Buena Vista Palace isn't really doing the Guild any favors either while the new location is bending over backwards to accommodate them. This is a good move and I applaud it. I hope see you all in my hometown next year!.

Knifemakers Guild Show Moving to Louisville, Kentucky in 2009