Authentic experiences separate good meeting and conference destinations from great ones. You need adequate meeting space and enough hotel rooms to accommodate your guests. A trendy, walkable downtown full of one-of-a-kind restaurants and shops helps, too, as does a vibrant nightlife. Plus, hands-on cultural experiences provide plenty for attendees to immerse themselves in between keynote addresses and breakout sessions.
Thankfully, Paducah, Ky., checks all the right boxes, with its unique character and rich, cultural experiences to inspire attendees. Situated in western Kentucky in the heart of America’s inland waterways, this sophisticated river community—one of just nine UNESCO Creative Cities in the United States—is brimming with a remarkable history and thriving heritage.
Start with the crown jewel of Paducah’s meeting facilities—the Paducah-McCracken County Convention & Expo Center, which boasts a spacious 100,000 square feet of flexible meeting and floor space overlooking the flowing waters of the Ohio and Tennessee rivers. Featured within this massive complex are the Julian Carroll Convention Center—a 52,000-square-foot facility with breakout, pre-function and ballroom space—and the Bill & Meredith Schroeder Expo Center with its commodious, 40,000-square-foot exposition floor. Looking for something more intimate? Paducah is home to numerous meeting facilities perfect for small to mid-sized events, with venues ranging from repurposed, historic spaces to high-tech performing arts centers.
A nice, relaxing spot to recharge can make the difference between an energized and engaged audience and a groggy, lackluster one. More than 2,000 rooms spread across Paducah provide ample group- and meeting-friendly lodging opportunities. Guests can choose from charming short-term rentals or nationally recognized brands operating under familiar roofs, ensuring a good night’s sleep before another productive day.
Meeting in Paducah is not all work; the “Creative City” offers plenty of captivating and entertaining attractions to explore before, after, and between meeting-related functions. A historic downtown district hosts a variety of delicious dining options suitable for all palates. Sample refreshing farm-to-table dishes or go for Paducah’s brand of western Kentucky barbecue at a variety of joints offering a taste of all things sweet, tangy, and smoky. For those in search of the perfect keepsake or memento to remember their trip, urban boutiques and eclectic antique shops occupy generations-old storefronts on walkable, tree-lined brick streets. When the sun goes down, the party is just starting, as award-winning brewers, distillers, and vintners capture the essence of Paducah in handcrafted beers, spirits, and wines—plus two “Great Bourbon Bars of America,” paying homage to the Bluegrass State’s storied bourbon heritage.
The National Quilt Museum features three amazing galleries across 27,000 square feet, highlighting a variety of fiber masterpieces by artisans from around the world. Nearby, the Lower Town Arts District is home to artists, students, and entrepreneurs who contribute to the rich tapestry of artistic expression on display throughout Paducah. Speaking of, the famed “Wall to Wall” Floodwall Murals, masterfully painted by famed artist Robert Dafford and his team, showcase the extraordinary tales of Paducah in vibrant displays adorning the city’s floodwall. With so many opportunities to enjoy the visual and performing arts, attendees will see why Paducah was named one of nine UNESCO Creative Cities in the United States. Art goes beyond something to appreciate in Paducah—it is a way of life.
Contact: Lynda Peters-Jones, Director of Sales 270-519-6343 | lynda@paducah.travel |
