Collaboration, networking and friendship are among the things bank, chamber of commerce and alumni group travel planners can expect to find at the annual Select Traveler Conference. Each year, travel planners are invited to gather alongside destination, hotel and other travel industry representatives for two days of marketplace appointments, sponsored meals and presentations that forge connections within the industry.
This year’s conference will take place March 9–11 in Owensboro, Kentucky. The official conference hotel is the 150-room Hampton Inn and Suites Downtown Owensboro/Waterfront, and the conference marketplace sessions will be held at the adjacent Owensboro Convention Center. Both properties are on Second Street and offer views of the Ohio River and easy access to some of Owensboro’s most popular attractions.
“We’re really excited to have delegates explore our city,” said Teresa Jones, destination account executive at Visit Owensboro. “We’re not a big city, but they’re going to feel welcome, and we’re going to roll out the red carpet for these people and let them enjoy our Southern charm and hospitality.”
A Welcome from Owensboro
Owensboro is known for several things: bluegrass music, bourbon and barbecue. This year’s Select Traveler Conference will showcase all three. The town is less than two hours from Louisville and 45 minutes away from Evansville, Indiana, making it a convenient place for planners and their groups to consider. An estimated 70% of the population of the U.S. is within driving distance to the city.
“We’re very excited to show them this part of Kentucky,” Jones said. “It’s all about that new connection between our city and the travel planners and making plans for further down the road.”
For a town with a population of just over 60,000 people, Owensboro packs a punch with its vibrant waterfront downtown district. That’s thanks to its public parks, restaurants and annual events.
Its food scene is something to write home about, with three beloved restaurants serving up some of the best-loved barbecued mutton and burgoo in the Bluegrass State. As far as locals are concerned, it’s a three-way tie between Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn, Ole South Barbeque and Old Hickory Bar-B-Que.
Another notable attraction unique to the area is the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum, which provides a one-of-a-kind look at a genre that defines Kentucky, and more broadly, the Appalachian region of the country.
The city’s hometown bourbon comes from Green River Distilling Co., which has a long history of producing the spirit. A handful of other Owensboro attractions draw in tourists and contribute to its reputation as an up-and-coming, thriving city.
Conference Details
The conference’s agenda will seamlessly blend opportunities for education, networking and entertainment.
The first day will feature a buyer breakout session, during which delegates meet for roundtable discussions to brainstorm solutions to industry problems.
The opening night will kick off with a welcome address at the Owensboro Convention Center. Then, delegates will take the short walk to an event at Owensboro’s Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Here, they’ll enjoy catering from Ole South Barbeque, a dessert bar, and live entertainment from The Lowland Ramblers, a progressive bluegrass group. They’ll also have the opportunity to tour the museum and learn about the musical genre’s fascinating history and iconic musicians.
Meals at Select Traveler Conferences are sponsored by organizations like Mayflower Cruises and Tours, Collette, James B. Beam Distilling Company and others. Presentations will be given by CroisiEurope, NYS Destination Marketing Organization, The Great Passion Play and Central Holidays.
The second and third days will feature marketplace sessions held at the convention center, where loyalty travel directors will meet with travel industry representatives for six-minute appointments to build business relationships.
The conference will also feature a conversation between Charlie Presley, founder of The Group Travel Family of Brands, and Stacey Cabell, founder of Starstuff Travel. Their conversation will focus on topics such as the benefits of utilizing convention and visitors bureaus and advice for new travel planners just entering the industry.
Sightseeing Tours
Select Traveler Conferences feature the opportunity for delegates to explore the delights of the host city. In Owensboro, those delights will be on display during site-seeing tours on the afternoon of March 10.
The barbecue doesn’t end with the welcoming event. The first sightseeing tour will take delegates to Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn for a tour of the hickory-fired pit where its mutton is cooked. They’ll learn about how Moonlite’s famous mutton is made, from the basting to the tasting, and enjoy a little bite themselves.
The second sightseeing tour will take delegates to Green River Distilling Co., the 10th-oldest licensed distillery in the state. They’ll tour the distillery, which is set on more than 20 acres, learn about its history, see how bourbon is produced and enjoy samples of some of its spirits with a tasting.
The third sightseeing tour of the afternoon will be to the new Churchill Downs facility, Owensboro Racing and Gaming, which will open February 12. This historical horse racing entertainment venue will feature 600 historical racing machines, as well as a sportsbook for delegates ready to put down some bets. The venue also features a restaurant for food and beverage offerings.
“The tours are a collaboration of all the things we’re known for – bluegrass, barbecue, bourbon, and now, betting,” Jones said.
That evening, there will be a Kentucky Derby-themed party where delegates will make Derby hats upon arrival. They’ll also drink mint juleps and celebrate everything Kentucky. Dressing up like it’s Derby day will make the evening event an unforgettable celebration.
Pre-FAM Opportunity
The city of Owensboro is hosting an optional FAM on March 8, one day before the conference begins. This pre-FAM will give group travel planners the opportunity to further explore the city and all it has to offer in a customized format.
“We welcome them to explore our beautiful riverfront walk,” Jones said.
Possible activities include learning to play the banjo at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum, toasting the sunset at Green River Distilling Co. and enjoying drinks along the Ohio River.
Participating in this pre-FAM is free of charge and can be arranged by contacting Teresa Jones at 270-926-1100 or via email at teresa@visitowensboro.com.
Group travel planners can register for the 2025 Select Traveler Conference at selecttravelconf.com.
