Home » VisitLEX honors 30 Hometown Hosts who helped attract 16,000+ visitors

VisitLEX honors 30 Hometown Hosts who helped attract 16,000+ visitors

Some of the 2023 Hometown Host honorees whose organization and the conference/meeting helped bring 16,000-plus visitors to Lexington in 2022.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – VisitLEX recognized 30 people as Hometown Hosts at a recent luncheon at the Central Bank Center. Developed by VisitLEX in 2004, the Hometown Host Program provides support and resources to anyone in Kentucky who can influence and be instrumental in bringing meetings, conventions and events to Lexington. VisitLEX’s goal is to make the planning process easier for the Hometown Host by providing meeting and hotel options, specialty venue ideas, and creative local group activities.

These Hometown Hosts were responsible for bringing more than 16,000 visitors and $10 million of direct and indirect impact to the Bluegrass region. They brought a variety of events and meetings to Lexington – from sporting events to national conferences to professional conferences.

“These Hometown Hosts helped attracted many meetings that otherwise might not have located in Lexington,” VisitLEX President Mary Quinn Ramer said. “They serve a significant role — not only in tourism and conventions but also in exposing so many visitors to the tremendous attractions that Lexington has to offer.”

Here are the 2023 Hometown Host honorees, their organization and the conference/meeting they helped bring to Lexington:

Dr. John Villano
Dr. Eric Durbin
Erin McElwain
University of Kentucky Healthcare – Markey Cancer Center
Brain Tumor Epidemiology Consortium 2023

Dr. Joseph Kim
Erin McElwain
University of Kentucky HealthCare – Markey Cancer Center
UK HealthCare GI Oncology Meeting 2023

Lisa Ashner Adkins
Blue Grass Community Foundation

Brandi Peacher
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government
Reimagining the Civic Commons – Civic Commons Studio #8

Bryan McGowan
Irreverent Warriors Silkie Hike Lexington Kentucky

Dr. Ken Cottrell
Rev. Dr. Jan Cottrell
2023 Prisoner Visitation and Support Convention

Joe Angolia
2022 Kentucky High School Athletic Association State Cross Country Championships

Lauren Ashley German
Exceptional Living Centers Summer Meeting

Leigh Oakley
Transylvania University Athletics
National Collegiate Athletic Association Division 3 – 2023 Men’s Golf Championships

Molly Marsh
AMR 25th Anniversary Event

Phillip Doty
The National Conference

Rebecca Havlicek
Link-Belt Cranes Cranefest 2024

Rev. Gary Graves
The United Methodist Church Interagency Legislative Review 2023

J’Lissabeth Faughn
University of Kentucky – Office of LGBTQ* Resources
2023 Midwest Bisexual Lesbian Gay Transgender Asexual College Conference

Bill Farmer
Farmer’s Jewelry
Retail Jewelers Organization 2026 Summer Buying Show

Dr. Savio Poovathingal
University of Kentucky College of Engineering
12th Ablation Workshop

Susie Psimer
Jerry Psimer
Psimer & Associates, Inc.
Academy of Dental CPAs 2023 Bi-Annual Meeting

Lisa Zent
Maritz Global Events
2023 American Association of Equine Practitioners – Foundation Meeting
2023 American Association of Equine Practitioners – Racing Committee Meeting
2023 American Association of Equine Practitioners – Focus on Podiatry
The Church Network – 2024 Annual Meeting

Michael Preacely
University of Kentucky College of Fine Arts
Uniting Voices Chicago – Lexington Events

Amanda Bockelman
Child Neurology Foundation 2023 Board Meeting

Twyla Martins
National Society of Arts and Letters 2023 National Meeting and Drama Competition

Secretary Jim Gray
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
2025 Southeastern Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Annual Meeting

Commissioner Mike Mangeot
Department of Tourism – KY Tourism, Arts & Heritage Cabinet
U.S. Travel’s National Council of State Tourism Directors Leadership Forum

Dr. Jim Ballard
University of Kentucky – Center for Interprofessional and Community Health Education
National Area Health Education Centers Bi-Annual National Conference

Kim Taylor
University of Kentucky – Office of the University Registrar
2024 Southern Association of Collegiate Registrars & Admissions Officers Annual Conference

VisitLEX is a destination sales, marketing, and service organization charged with promoting Lexington’s Bluegrass Region for the purpose of attracting visitors and growing the economy.

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