





A Year in Review: 2022 A Year of Transition, Optimism and Action
GEORGETOWN, KY – July 20, 2023 – As the world emerged from a two-year pandemic and recovery got fully underway, 2022 became a year of transition for businesses as they tried to find their footing again. Few industries had been hit as hard as the tourism sector, but travel showed its resilience and, as the year got underway, optimism grew across the global stage—and in Georgetown, KY.
Several new businesses opened, multiple milestones were marked, and 18 events filled the calendar to encourage both residents and visitors to experience Georgetown. Georgetown/Scott County Tourism redoubled its efforts to share Georgetown’s story through a consistent program of authentic events, clearly defined marketing and advertising objectives and robust outreach via social media platforms and in-person contacts.
“Like every destination, Georgetown was deeply affected by a world situation, but we kept our focus on the future, best use of resources and long-term but flexible strategies to help Georgetown move forward,” said Lori Saunders, executive director of Georgetown/Scott County Tourism. “Economic impact numbers will be coming out later this year, and we fully expect our trend to continue its upward trajectory and positive tourism economic growth.”
Georgetown Tourism targeted messaging with a balance of 22 print insertions, 15 digital campaigns and video advertising that netted 30,000 Over the Top streaming impressions (the number of times an ad appears in front of viewers). These efforts were augmented by strong and consistent social media and news distribution outreach, plus 20 public speaking engagements and six booth displays. Additionally, 35,000 brochures were distributed around the country, in Canada and various countries in Europe. (The top states requesting information included Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and New York.)
As motorcoach travel slowly returned to the roads, Georgetown was there to greet them in 2022, having a presence at six different travel shows and providing assistance to 30 tour operators in customizing experiences. Georgetown also hosted visitors from Canada, South America and Europe.
In 2022, Georgetown was honored with several awards and accolades:
· Lori Saunders – KTIA Member of the Year (2022)
· Festival of the Horse – Best Festival in Scott County
· Super 8 – Pride Award and TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice Award
Celebrate Georgetown, which is managed by Georgetown/Scott County Tourism, met and exceeded its goals of increasing public awareness of Downtown Georgetown through hosting four quarterly meetings; hosting 18 events, from hometown gatherings to grand-scale festivals, including #GtownEats Week, the Horsey Hundred, Festival of the Horse, Shop Small Saturday and Home for the Holidays activities; and welcoming three new businesses:
· Amen House Thrift Store
· Betsey’s Boutique
· Hoggy’s Ice Cream
Celebrate Georgetown also marked several milestones:
· Inaugural Juneteenth Celebration held at Ed Davis Park—representing the first time Georgetown hosted a Juneteenth celebration
· Birdsong Quilting and Crafts celebrated 5 years in business
· The Water Street Project and West Main Street Entryway – completed
· New “Welcome to Georgetown” mural at Spotz Gelato – unveiled
Like Georgetown/Scott County Tourism, Celebrate Georgetown raised awareness by implementing promotional strategies across multiple channels, including print ads, digital campaigns, TV commercials, TV interviews, a consistent schedule of blogs and press releases and an ever-growing online presence that reaches across multiple platforms. Additionally, the Tourism office provided 360-degree virtual tours for all Downtown retail, restaurants and tourist attractions, free of charge.
“We have carried 2022’s strong performance right over into 2023 and continue to expand our efforts to share Georgetown’s story and increase visitorship,” said Saunders. “We expect the numbers to continue to increase as we move forward.”
MEDIA CONTACT:
Bailey Gilkerson, Marketing Director,
Georgetown/Scott County Tourism
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Georgetown/Scott County Tourism Celebrates The Power Of Travel
GEORGETOWN, KY – May 17, 2023 – Georgetown lets the good times roll beginning May 27 with its annual Downtown Georgetown Concert Series bringing the party back to Main Street and continuing through Aug. 26 with Live music, food vendors and inflatables!
Free Saturday live music
Join the Party on the Square crowd for four concerts featuring popular regional musicians: the high-energy, soul stirring Honeychild group, May 27; The premier Eagles Tribute Band, Nightflyer, June 24; the five-piece classic rock band, Rocksteady, with sounds of the seventies and eighties, July 15; and Savannah Dean Reeves, a rousing country music artist, Aug 26.
Party on the Square is a free, community-wide event that takes place 7 to 10 p.m., rain or shine, at the square in Downtown Georgetown (Rain location is Royal Spring Park)– famous as the birthplace of bourbon, where Baptist minister Elijah Craig first distilled spirits in Kentucky, or so the legend goes. Beer trucks, a variety of food trucks and inflatables will be onsite.
Music with a side of sips, savories and sights
Besides turning Main Street into a stage for live music, Downtown Georgetown is full-on food-crazy with its abundance of culinary options. There are 10 different dining and drinking places in a six-block stroll dishing up all varieties of gastronomical delights – from local artisan chews and brews and come-hither confections to old-timey diner delectables and linen-draped fine dining. That’s four restaurants, two sweets spots and two watering holes, including one authentic Irish pub.
Downtown Georgetown also stays lively with dozens of locally-owned shops and boutiques, including two equestrian art themed galleries, plus the Georgetown/Scott County Museum, giving visitors plenty to do before the bands tune up their instruments.
Sponsors of the Downtown Georgetown Concert Series include Celebrate Georgetown, Commonwealth Credit Union, Hubbard Mechanical, State Farm - Becky Jordan and Whitaker Bank.
For more information about our upcoming events/concerts: www.georgetownky.com/events.
More reasons to spend time in Georgetown may be found at www.georgetownky.com.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Bailey Gilkerson, Marketing Director,
Georgetown/Scott County Tourism
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Georgetown/Scott County Tourism Celebrates The Power Of Travel
GEORGETOWN, KY – May 17, 2023 – Georgetown/Scott County Tourism is celebrating National Travel & Tourism Week on May 22nd 9am-5pm with a day of FREE snacks, crafty workshops & photobooth fun at the Georgetown/Scott County Welcome Center!
Celebrating National Travel & Tourism Week
Located at 399 Outlet Center Dr, Georgetown/Scott County Tourism will be welcoming visitors all day (9am-5pm) with FREE coffee, donuts, crafts to make & take, photo-booth fun, ice cream, popcorn, desserts and more throughout the day! Visitors are encouraged to stay, mingle and learn how travel has such an important impact on our Scott County community.
National Travel & Tourism Week is an annual event that is celebrated throughout the nation, bringing light to the power of travel and the amazing economic impact it can bring to communities across America.
What Travel Looks Like In Georgetown/Scott County
Situated in the midst of Kentucky Horse Country and positioned as the perfect middleground to explore all Central Kentucky has to offer, Georgetown serves up uniquely Bluegrass experiences straight from the barrel. Visitors can meet champions of the turf at Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm and feed carrots to such equine celebs as the oldest living Kentucky Derby winner Silver Charm. Discover where Bourbon was first created by Rev. Elijah Craig and shop, dine or play in the heart of Historic Downtown Georgetown’ eclectic collection of local businesses, boutiques and foodie-favorite eateries. Or simply enjoy the outdoors with challenging mountain bike trails, serene gardens and horseback experiences.
Learn more about all the experiences Georgetown offers at www.GeorgetownKy.com. Then share your own experience when traveling to Georgetown with #NTTW23, #GoToGtown, #GeorgetownKy and #TravelKy.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Bailey Gilkerson, Marketing Director,
Georgetown/Scott County Tourism
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GEORGETOWN, KY – February 28, 2023 – To celebrate Women’s History Month, Georgetown/Scott County Tourism is featuring one local woman a day through March in its “Women of Georgetown” series. The series will be published across Georgetown’s social media platforms, sharing insights, achievements and inspiration of community leaders, business owners and professionals on its blog, Facebook page and Instagram feed.
The spotlight will include Kentucky State Representative Cherlynn Stevenson, 88th District, recently elected chair of House Democratic Caucus; Dr. Rosemary Allen, the first woman to be named president of Georgetown College; Polly Singer, owner of Polly Singer Couture Hats and Tea, who was selected by Luxe Magazine as America’s Best Couture Hat Designer; Robbi Barber, assistant dean of students and director of Georgetown College’s Office of Diversity & Inclusion and recipient of the Scott County NAACP Leadership Award; and author and historian Ann Bolton Bevins, who considers Dr. Allen to be the woman who most inspires her.
“Presenting this series of profiles lets us celebrate the many contributions and achievements of Georgetown women,” said Lori Cooper Saunders, executive director at Georgetown/Scott County Tourism Commission.
Marking the contributions women have made to the United States began over 40 years ago in 1981 as a national celebration that has evolved from a week to an entire month. Since 1995, presidents have issued a series of annual proclamations designating the month of March as “Women’s History Month.” It also recognizes specific achievements women have made over the course of American history in a variety of fields.
“I love that Georgetown is recognizing the contributions of local women during this March’s celebration because we too often tout ‘famous’ women or those long gone, and we overlook the good work happening right in front of us,” said Stevenson. “I am humbled and honored to be included. Many women came before and made a path for me to succeed, and I only hope I can make the path easier for those women who will follow me.”
Georgetown has a long history of strong, independent-minded and entrepreneurially spirited women that begins 241 years ago when Jemima Suggett Johnson, the headstrong matriarch of one of Georgetown’s founding families, led a group of women in 1782 out of the protective confines of their fort to get water—the same day it was under siege.
It continued with style icon Sallie Ward, a 19th century influencer whom both Queen Victoria of Great Britain and the Empress Eugenie of France demanded to meet, and Mrs. Sarah “Sadie” Emison Pack, who was so important that the town of Big Eagle changed its name in 1880 to honor her efforts in helping the railroading construction crews working at one of Cincinnati Southern Railroad’s key shipping points. Now called Sadieville, it features its namesake on the mural welcoming visitors to the community.
It is a history that keeps repeating itself, with today’s Women of Georgetown contributing their own stories and successes—and making Georgetown all the richer for them.
For instance, Kim Marshall of Central Bank & Trust Co. was the first woman in the company named market president. Becky Jordan of Becky Jordan State Farm Insurance was named Georgetown/Scott County Chamber of Commerce Business Woman of the Year. Willa Relford Gentry has won awards for her work in historic preservation, including the 1994 Ida Lee Willis Memorial Foundation Award and the 2022 Yvonne Giles Award, as well as a Scott County NAACP Leadership Award.
“We hope these women’s stories will be a source of inspiration and empowerment for all women,” said Saunders. “But in particular, we hope it resonates with young women looking ahead to their own futures, to see that nothing is out of reach.”
Each woman will discuss the woman that most inspired her—with mom and grandmother topping the list—and share a quote that has guided her in her life and work.
“It’s not a dead end if it takes you where you need to go,” are words culinary specialist Amanda O’Neal lives by as the owner of grazing board catering company, Graze with AK.
Nancy Walker Gates, owner of Exceptional Travel, quotes Eleanor Roosevelt: “You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”
Each spotlight will include advice that has helped these women succeed—and the piece of advice they ignored, such as fake it till you make it.
“Why fake anything?” said Destani Shoemaker, business manager at Fizz Facial Bar. “There is no shame in not knowing everything. Who does? I think being transparent builds trust.”
The “Women of Georgetown” series begins on Wednesday, March 1, and will continue through the month, with one to two spotlights on a different women featured each day across Georgetown’s social media platforms. To learn about each woman, click on their image below, Facebook page and Instagram feed.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Bailey Gilkerson, Marketing Director,
Georgetown/Scott County Tourism
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GEORGETOWN, KY – December, 2023 – Lori Cooper Saunders was named KTIA Member of the Year during the Kentucky Travel Industry Association’s annual meeting in November in Lexington, KY.
Saunders is the executive director of the Georgetown/Scott County Tourism Commission, a position she has held since 2016.
“Lori epitomizes a KTIA member of the year,” said KTIA President and CEO Hank Phillips. “She has taken on a multitude of smaller behind-the-scenes projects in support of KTIA and the tourism industry, while also leading initiatives that had major impacts, such as fostering a relationship with Senate Majority Leader Damon Thayer that contributed to his leadership in securing a major appropriation for Kentucky's tourism industry.
Kentucky’s only association representing the entirety of the Commonwealth’s travel and tourism industry, KTIA serves the interests of the industry through advocacy, education, information and business development. Members include convention and visitor bureaus, hotels, restaurants, state government agencies, universities, media and industry suppliers.
Each year KTIA honors a member who has provided exemplary service and leadership to the industry and association over the course of the year. Recipients combine a long record of KTIA support with a special year of service.
Calling Saunders “the perfect embodiment of this combination,” Phillips cited her work in Kentucky tourism’s biggest win ever – the $75 million recovery appropriation, part of the American Rescue Plan Act, the COVID-19 economic relief bill President Biden signed into law earlier this year.
The travel and tourism industry was one of the hardest hit by the pandemic, triggering an unprecedented crisis in Kentucky’s tourism economy.
“Undoubtedly a team effort, it was Lori’s relationship with her senator, Senate Majority Leader Damon Thayer, that influenced him to publicly declare early on that he personally was going to ensure there was an ARPA tourism recovery allocation,” said Phillips.
Throughout the legislative process, Saunders maintained contact and encouragement with Senator Thayer and many other legislators and kept KTIA apprised of the bill’s progress.
“In all things, large and small that Lori contributes, she does them with an enthusiasm and commitment that serves as a model for other members,” Phillips noted.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Bailey Gilkerson, Marketing Director,
Georgetown/Scott County Tourism
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PHOTO: Georgetown/Scott County Tourism Executive Director and KTIA Member of the Year Lori Cooper Saunders (center) receives Member of the Year award from KTIA’s Hank Phillips and Chair Katie Fussenegger.
HI- and LOW-RES photos available.
ABOUT GEORGETOWN, KY | Harness the fun in Georgetown, Kentucky’s Horse Headquarters and Birthplace of Bourbon. Sitting in the midst of Kentucky Horse Country, Georgetown is home of numerous horse-centric attractions – Kentucky Horse Park, Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm, Saxony Thoroughbred Farm, Whispering Woods Riding Stables, Three Hill Farm Horsemanship Training Experience, Steve Hockensmith Fine Art Gallery and Robert Clark Gallery – and events including the Kentucky Three Day Event, Horsey Hundred, Festival of the Horse and the National Horse Show. A dynamic small town with a beautifully preserved Victorian-era downtown filled with locally-owned shops, restaurants, craft breweries and distilleries, it is home to Toyota Motor Manufacturing Tour; the official Kentucky-Japan Friendship Garden – Yuko-en; Elkhorn Creek; Greek Revival antebellum mansion Ward Hall; a circa 1917 Rosenwald School; Heirlooms & Gretchen’s authentic stained glass shop; and Kentucky Proud farms that play like agricultural theme parks. Accommodations include three dozen unique stays, 17 brand name chain hotels and two campgrounds. www.facebook.com/gotogtown