General Manager Hired for Downtown Convention Center

A new general manager for the Kentucky International Convention Center was named today at a special called meeting of the Kentucky State Fair Board, which operates the downtown convention center.

Stacey Church most recently served as assistant director of the Fort Worth (TX) Convention Center and Will Rogers Memorial Center. She is a native of Elkhart, IN and a 1997 graduate of the University of Kentucky. Her experience in venue management includes executive positions with Spectra Venue Management facilities in Springfield, MA and South Bend, IN. Church will be responsible for day-to-day operations of the convention center with a salary of $150,000 annually.

“Stacey’s management experience, skill set in finance, and commitment to innovation are tremendous assets to Kentucky’s tourism industry as the center prepares to reopen in August 2018,” said Don Parkinson, Secretary of Kentucky’s Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet.

“This is an exciting time for the meeting and convention industry for this community and especially the Kentucky International Convention Center,” said Dr. Mark Lynn, Kentucky State Fair Board Chairman and Interim CEO. “Our new general manager brings exceptional experience to provide leadership and develop new business for the new center.”
The convention center is slated to re-open August, 2018 following a $207 million expansion and renovation project.

Stacey Church Bio:

Stacey Church, a native of Elkhart, IN, graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and has spent the last ten and a half years as a venue management professional.   She began her career with Spectra Venue Management as Director of Finance in South Bend, IN at the Century Center and then in Springfield, MA at the MassMutual Center in both the Assistant General Manager and General Manager capacities.  She currently serves as Assistant Director of the Fort Worth Convention Center and Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, TX.  Stacey is a graduate of IAVM’s Venue Management School at Oglebay and is currently working towards her Certified Facilities Executive (CFE) designation. Prior to her career in venue management, Stacey spent time in the nonprofit sector.  Stacey currently lives in Aledo, TX with her husband Nate and their two children, Jackson (13) and Reese (10); all of whom will be relocating to the Louisville area.