Mark Calitri | Leadership, Performance & Destination Marketing

  Bluegrass Fieldhouse: Owensboro's Sports Tourism Strategy Is Paying Off Owensboro, Kentucky, is preparing for a big year in sports tourism. The new $18 million Bluegrass Fieldhouse is nearing completion, with 30 of 32 tournament weekends already booked for 2027. For Mark Calitri, President and CEO of Visit Owensboro, those bookings reflect a larger strategy to grow Owensboro's tourism economy. "Our strategy is simple. Build relationships with tournament organizers, actively recruit sporting events, and give them a reason to bring their teams to Owensboro year after year," said Calitri. "Every tournament is an opportunity to fill hotel rooms, support local restaurants, and introduce new families to our community." The Bluegrass Fieldhouse features seven basketball courts that can convert into 14 volleyball courts or 28 pickleball courts. The facility expands Owensboro's ability to compete for regional and national tournaments. Visit Owensboro's spor...

 Owensboro Is Winning More Tourism Business, and We're Just Getting Started Owensboro has become a stronger tourism destination, and the results are showing. Record hotel occupancy, growing convention business and sporting events are bringing more visitors and more spending into our community. As President and CEO of Visit Owensboro, I've seen what happens when a community invests in its future. Our riverfront, convention center, Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum and expanding sports facilities give Owensboro a real advantage when competing for tourism business. We're the Bluegrass Music Capital of the World, with bourbon, barbecue and attractions that make Owensboro a great place to visit. But we can't sit back and wait for visitors. We have to keep competing for their business. The momentum is real, and we're just getting started. Learn more at Owensboro's official website:  Owensboro Kentucky winning hotel occupancy Mark Calitri President & CEO, V...

  Owensboro Makes Kentucky Sports History with First Indoor Handball Tournament We're bringing a new sport to Owensboro, and this one is making history in Kentucky. November 13–15, the Owensboro Sportscenter will host the Battle of the Bluegrass Handball Tournament , the first indoor team handball tournament ever held in Kentucky. If you've never watched team handball, imagine combining basketball, soccer, and football into one fast-paced, physical Olympic sport. It's incredibly popular in Europe and gaining attention in the United States as we approach the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The Kentucky Stags Handball Club is partnering with Visit Owensboro and the Owensboro Sportscenter to bring teams from across the region to compete. The field includes New York Athletic Club, Cincinnati Gladiators, Ohio State, Auburn, and the University of Kentucky, which won the 2024 College National Championship. Another Opportunity for Owensboro Sports Tourism One of our priorities at Visit ...

 Owensboro is having a strong fall, and the numbers tell the story. September hotel occupancy reached an all-time September record of 70%. October revenue is running 21.1% ahead of last year, and room tax collections are exceeding projections by more than 15%. For Mark Calitri, President and CEO of Visit Owensboro, those numbers reflect something important: More people are choosing Owensboro, Kentucky, for sporting events, conventions, festivals, business, and weekend getaways. And when those visitors arrive, they spend money in our hotels, restaurants, attractions, and local businesses. Sports Tourism Is Bringing More Visitors to Owensboro One of the biggest contributors to Owensboro's fall tourism performance has been sporting events. During October 4–10, hotel occupancy increased from 57% last year to 75% this year. That's a significant jump for one week, and sports tourism played an important role. The inaugural Hockey on the Ohio tournament brought four American Collegiate...

  Senator Gary Boswell Recognizes Mark Calitri, Visit Owensboro CEO, for Kentucky Tourism's Economic Impact During the 2026 Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce Candidate Forum, Kentucky State Senator Gary Boswell recognized Mark Calitri, President and CEO of Visit Owensboro, while discussing the economic power of tourism and its ability to generate revenue for Kentucky. Boswell pointed to Owensboro's tourism success as an example of how attracting visitors, conventions, sporting events, and festivals brings new spending into communities and generates tax revenue for the state. Under Mark Calitri's direction, Visit Owensboro has worked to grow tourism through events, sports, conventions, and attractions that bring visitors to Owensboro and Daviess County. From the Owensboro Convention Center and Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum to Barbecue & Barrels and major sporting events, Owensboro continues to demonstrate the economic value of tourism. Boswell's comme...

  Owensboro hotels reached 70% occupancy in September, the highest September occupancy on record. The number tells a bigger story about what is happening across our community. September brought a strong mix of conventions, sporting events and community events to Owensboro. The Kentucky Justice Association brought new convention business to the community with the help of local attorney Chris Rhoads. The Kentucky ambulance conference brought attendees to Owensboro and included training at Kentucky HealthForce, putting one of our community’s newest assets to work in a new way. Sports also played a major role. Owensboro hosted the All “A” volleyball tournament, Kentucky 2A volleyball and soccer, and Special Olympics Kentucky State Softball. The Owensboro Air Show and Groovin’ on the Green added to a month that kept hotels, restaurants and businesses busy. But tourism and events are only part of the story. The work of GOEDC and our economic development partners continues to bring new bu...

  NEVER Waste the Opening of Your Next Meeting or Speech By Mark Calitri | Public Speaking & Leadership NEVER, and I mean NEVER, open an important meeting or speech with “Good morning, everyone” or “My name is…” You've just wasted the one moment when you had everyone's attention. Whether you're presenting to a board of directors, delivering a keynote speech or pitching an important idea, your opening sets the tone for everything that follows. You've got seconds to make people want to listen. How to Command the Room From the Start Get straight to the reason you're in that room. Lead with the problem that matters or the question everyone wants answered. Give your audience a reason to listen before you introduce yourself. I've sat through plenty of presentations where the speaker lost the room before getting to the point. A strong opening changes that. It gets people thinking, creates interest and gives you their attention when it matters most. Watch the video ...