Mark Calitri | Leadership, Performance & Destination Marketing

  Nicky Hayden's Legacy Continues to Bring the World to Owensboro, Kentucky Twenty years ago, Owensboro's own Nicky Hayden made history by winning the 2006 MotoGP World Championship. Two decades later, the Kentucky Kid remains the last American to win the title, and his impact continues far beyond motorcycle racing. In a special Owensboro Living feature, Nicky's family and closest friends share personal stories about his remarkable journey, his work ethic, and why he never forgot where he came from. “Nicky's championship put Owensboro on the world stage,” said Mark Calitri, President and CEO of Visit Owensboro. “Everywhere he raced, people knew exactly where he was from, and he proudly carried the name Owensboro with him. That is why his story continues to mean so much to our community.” That connection continues to bring visitors to Owensboro from around the world. “Some visitors are lifelong racing fans who make Owensboro a destination because of Nicky,” Calitri adde...

  Owensboro's Downtown Growth Continues with Proposed $50 Million Housing Investment Owensboro keeps moving forward! A proposed $50 million investment bringing approximately 205 new downtown homes is another exciting step in our city's growth. “Look at what's happening in Owensboro. Record hotel occupancy in 2025, record revenue at the Owensboro Convention Center, the opening of 18 new pickleball courts, and the Bluegrass Fieldhouse on the way. Now we're talking about 205 new downtown homes. More residents mean more customers for our restaurants, shops, and attractions. This is exactly how we build on the success of our downtown and keep Owensboro growing.” — Mark Calitri, President & CEO, Visit Owensboro Congratulations to Tony Yager and Aaron Kizer for their vision and commitment to downtown Owensboro. Aaron Kizer, an internationally recognized artist and Owensboro native, is bringing his creativity and vision back home, helping make this downtown development even...

  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...