Louisville Snags World's Largest Helicopter Show for 2016
August 1, 2013
The city of Louisville, Ky., has reason to celebrate, with the booking of the world’s largest helicopter show – HELI-EXPO - March 1-3, 2016, at the Kentucky Exposition Center.
The show, owned by the Helicopter Association International, attracts more than 20,000 exhibitors and attendees from around the world, including helicopter manufacturers, owners and operators, government agencies and helicopter industry products.
“We know from experience that the people who attend HELI-EXPO stay for multiple nights, so it’s important for us that the host city has the room capacity, restaurants and event venues to accommodate the attendees after the exhibit hall floor closes each day,” said Karen Gebhart, HAI’s vice president of business development.
She added, “It was abundantly clear to us after we first visited that Louisville certainly fits that bill.”
HAI President Matt Zuccaro said that the Kentucky Exposition Center’s flexible event space, as well as proximity to the airport and the city’s overall reputation for charm and hospitality helped solidify the new agreement.
“With an abundance of indoor and outdoor exhibit space, the Kentucky Exposition Center is a natural fit for the HAI HELI-EXPO,” said Rip Rippetoe, president and CEO of the Kentucky State Fair Board. “This is an excellent opportunity to deliver quality customer and event service, as we welcome new business to our facilities and to the Commonwealth.”
This year’s HELI-EXPO, held in March in Las Vegas, grew for the 6th consecutive year and featured 736 exhibitors on nearly 1 million square feet of exhibit space.
“This is a significant convention booking for Louisville,” said Jim Wood, president and CEO of the Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The show is expected to bring in $9.5 million economic impact to the city and region, he added. In addition to the 2016 event, event managers have an option to add an additional year to the contract.
“In terms of economic impact, this will be one of the top10 shows for the year 2016,” Wood said. “It is another great example of industry partners working together to book business that will benefit the entire city.”
Next year’s HELI-EXPO will be held Feb. 24-27 in Anaheim.
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.
MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.
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