Owensboro’s Success Is Built on Results

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 Owensboro, Kentucky, is growing as a tourism, sports, convention, and entertainment destination.

In 2025, visitors spent a record $262.9 million in Owensboro and Daviess County. Tourism supported 2,034 jobs and generated $20 million in state and local tax revenue.

Those results came from a clear strategy.

Visit Owensboro has focused on increasing conventions, building sports tourism, supporting major events, and giving people more reasons to visit.

Owensboro now hosts more conventions, national tournaments, festivals, concerts, and special events. Hotel performance has reached record levels, and new developments are creating even more opportunities.

The Bluegrass Fieldhouse will expand indoor sports tourism. The Ben Hawes pickleball complex will bring new tournaments. Owensboro Racing & Gaming, Maui’s Indoor Theme Park, the riverfront, local attractions, and major community events continue to strengthen the visitor experience.

Tourism is economic development.

Visitors stay in Owensboro hotels, eat in local restaurants, shop in local businesses, and support local jobs. Each event and convention brings new money into the community.

Owensboro’s success did not happen by accident. It came from strong partnerships, smart investments, good people, and a willingness to compete.

Watch the video on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/flTM3KY9ABI

About Mark Calitri

Mark Calitri is President and CEO of Visit Owensboro and a tourism executive focused on destination marketing, sports tourism, convention growth, leadership, and measurable results. He writes and speaks about performance, teamwork, accountability, tourism development, and building stronger organizations and communities.

Learn more at MarkCalitri.com.

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