shelby county tourism and visitors bureau

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101 South Ohio Avenue - Floor 2, Sidney, Ohio 45365 Phone: (937) 492-9122 - Toll Free: (866) 892-9122 https://js.adsrvr.org/up_loader.1.1.0.js ttd_dom_ready( function() { if (typeof TTDUniversalPixelApi === 'function') { var universalPixelApi = new TTDUniversalPixelApi(); universalPixelApi.init("5unfiqu", ["i01rvo7"], "https://insight.adsrvr.org/track/up"); } });

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What you’ll find in shelby county....

At first glance, Sidney, Ohio appears to be an ordinary, small mid-western town waiting to be discovered. To the contrary however, Sidney enjoys a rich and storied past coupled with a wonderful array of today’s experiences to entice every travel preference.

Browse our prepackaged travel itineraries OR build your own from a list of nearly 100 area attractions. While here you can explore the natural beauty of our parks and outdoor recreation resources. You can take a factory tour at one of the top 10 in America. Historic sites, architectural points of interest, museums, and so much more. Shop, dine, relax… there’s lots to do.

SIDNEY AND SHELBY COUNTY OHIO ARE ON THE PATH OF TOTALITY. CLICK TO LEARN MORE.

Those familiar will tell you that what makes Sidney a great place to live is what makes Sidney a great place to visit.

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Sidney, ohio | a spirit we share.

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Shelby County Tourism: SCTVB’s Taste of Shelby County wins Best Festival or Event at Indiana Tourism Association’s 2024 Conference in Evansville, Indiana. Rachael Ackley graduates ITA Academy.

Shelby county tourism and visitors bureau’s taste of shelby county wins best festival or event at indiana tourism association’s 2024 conference in evansville, indiana. rachael ackley graduates ita academy., shelby county tourism & visitors bureau.

• March 18, 2024

Lake Shelbyville Updates The lake is open for recreational use. COE campground Lone, Bo Wood, Lithia are open. Beaches are closed for season. Eagle and Wolf Creek State campgrounds.

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Photo Contest Voting is closed, look for next year's contest. Voting is Closed Click on each category to see winners Faces at Places Parks and Recreation Wildlife Scenic

COE Campgrounds are Bo Wood, Coon Creek, Lithia Springs, Opossum Creek, and Lone Point. State Campgrounds are Eagle & Wolf Creek.

Ky. tourism bureaus launch initiative

HAZARD, Ky. (WYMT) - Six tourism bureaus from across the state are partnering to enhance experiences in Kentucky.

Two tourism bureaus from eastern Kentucky, Harlan and Corbin, are a part of the initiative. Bureaus in Bowling Green, Shelby County, Franklin and Georgetown are also involved.

They named the initiative “Horses, Horsepower and Hollers,” which will create a “distinctive and immersive journey through six key destinations in Kentucky.”

“Whether you’re seeking a weekend escape, a comprehensive 4-day adventure, or an immersive 7-day journey, the project’s meticulously curated itineraries ensure an unforgettable experience. With a focus on all six destinations participating in the tour, travelers can indulge in a seamless exploration of culture, cuisine, and captivating landscapes. Attractions include the National Corvette Museum, Old Friends Retirement Farm, Bulleit Distilling, Cumberland Falls State Park, Portal 31: Animatronic Mine Tour, The Mint Gaming Hall and more,” officials said in the news release.

Visitors can get a digital pass via Bandwango, which officials said could enter them into a sweepstakes.

Copyright 2024 WYMT. All rights reserved.

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Shelby County Commission looks to use hotel-motel tax to fund FedExForum renovations

The Shelby County Commission passed a resolution Monday that would change the hotel-motel tax to allow for funding allocation to the FedExForum. The resolution would be implemented if the Tennessee General Assembly also passes legislation that would allow the county to do so.

The add-on resolution, which was heard at the heal of the over 6-hour-long meeting, amended the tax on hotel and motel occupancies in Shelby County to divide the funds the Convention and Visitors Bureau, also known as Memphis Tourism, receives from the tax.

It also requires Memphis Tourism to add two individuals nominated by the Shelby County Mayor and approved by the commission to the Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The first half of funds would be available immediately, but the second half will only be given once the county "satisfies its commitment to provide funding for an indoor sports facility in which a National Basketball Association franchise is a tenant," according to the resolution.

More: Memphis unveils new timeline, plans for Liberty Stadium renovation: See the new details

The Daily Memphian reported that State Sen. Brent Taylor, a Republican representing Cordova and several Shelby County suburbs, was working on a bill that allow the tax to fund renovations to FedExForum.

The bill was scheduled for a committee hearing Tuesday morning, something Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. pointed out multiple times during the discussion as to why he would not be voting in support of it.

"It would be premature (for me to) vote up or down on this on this item because I do not have other people (here) that can tell me what the consequences good or bad would be," Ford said.

A bill introduced at the state legislature by State Sen. Raumesh Akbari and State Rep. Antonio Parkinson, both Democrats from Memphis, would direct more revenue from the city and county hotel-motel tax to the Memphis Sports Authority if needed. It's not clear how much money the bill would generate for FedExForum if it ultimately gets amended and goes forward.

More: Can Mid-South Coliseum dodge the wrecking ball for good? New group is fighting to save it

This resolution passed Monday, according to Shelby County Attorney Marlinee Iverson, would only be enacted if the state were to pass the bill that would allow the amendment to the hotel-motel tax.

Memphis Tourism is funded in part by the hotel-motel tax and could be affected by the bill. Memphis Tourism currently receives about 61% of the revenue produced by the tax. This bill and the resolution passed by the commission would divide that into two unequal parts.

Memphis Tourism would receive 35.75% of the revenues produced by the tax until the debt from FedExForum is paid. The second cut of the tax, 25.5%, would then be given to Memphis Tourism.

Currently under the private act, Memphis Tourism receives a 5% increase on the tax yearly until the tax is almost entirely given to Memphis Tourism.

Local and state officials have been trying to come up with money for the FedExForum renovations , which are expected to cost at least $550 million. The Grizzlies have not publicly said how much money the renovations will cost. The arena is also home to the Tigers men's basketball team.

The city of Memphis owns FedExForum, but the county is responsible for funding a share of renovations.

The commissioners needed to pass this legislation in order to ensure that any action the state takes on the revision of the hotel-motel tax, the county would be able to act on those changes as well. Any changes to the hotel-motel tax have to be amended at both the local and state levels.

Iverson said that, to her knowledge, Memphis Tourism does not object to the fact the county has to pay for their share of the renovations to FedExForum. And that they are aware the county is planning to use the hotel-motel tax.

"We've never arrived at a conclusion of what that share should be on either side. But I know that the provisions of this amendment have been shared widely with city CVB," Iverson said.

Jonah Dylan contributed to this report.

Brooke Muckerman covers Shelby County Government for The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at (901) 484-6225, [email protected] and followed on X, formerly known as Twitter @BrookeMuckerman.

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Stay updated on the latest in shelbyky, request a guide, download or request a printed visitors guide, shelbyky tourism announces new hires, promotions and title changes amid continued growth.

Shelbyville, Ky. (April 12, 2023) — ShelbyKY Tourism — the convention and visitors bureau for Shelbyville, Simpsonville, and Shelby County, Kentucky — has announced promotions, title changes, and staff additions that further reflect the growth of the agency. 

Sonja Craycraft has been promoted to the position of Office Manager . Craycraft is responsible for the day-to-day management of the CVB’s finances, tax collections, and other administrative tasks. She began in 2016 as the receptionist and was promoted to the position of frontline coordinator in 2020.  

Anna Ketchum has changed positions to become the Executive Assistant . Ketchum was previously the office and hospitality assistant, and her new role focuses her responsibilities on assisting President & CEO Janette Marson. 

Rebecca Taylor has been hired for the newly created position of Facilities Assistant . Due to a year-over-year increase in events, conferences, and bookings at the Shelbyville Conference Center, an additional position was needed to handle the influx of new business. 

In addition, ShelbyKY Tourism has created three director-level positions, further cementing the growth of the scope and scale of the CVB. 

Lynsey Dennison has been promoted to the position of Sales & Sports Director . Dennison’s new role is a solidification of ShelbyKY Tourism’s focus on developing all facets of tourism, including leisure travel, business and conference travel, and sports travel. Dennison joined ShelbyKY Tourism in September 2021 as the sales coordinator. In addition to developing ShelbyKY as a sports destination, she is responsible for the sales and booking of the Shelbyville Conference Center as well as destination-wide sales. 

Nathan Ketchum has been promoted to the position of Facilities Director . He is responsible for oversight and daily management of the Shelbyville Conference Center. Ketchum began in December 2022 as the Facilities Coordinator before being promoted in March 2023. 

Mason Warren has been promoted to the position of Marketing & Public Relations Director , in which capacity he oversees the marketing, advertising, and public relations efforts of ShelbyKY Tourism and the Shelbyville Conference Center, including setting the annual destination marketing and communications plans. He joined ShelbyKY Tourism in August 2021 as the office assistant, before being promoted in March 2022 to the position of marketing and communications coordinator. 

“The team at ShelbyKY Tourism is truly a family. It’s rare to find a group of people that work together so well,” said Janette Marson , president and CEO of ShelbyKY Tourism. “This is the largest the staff has ever been, with plans for continued growth in the coming years as pent-up demand for travel is maintained among domestic and international travelers alike. The popularity of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and ShelbyKY’s position as ‘Your Bourbon Destination’ means we are busier than ever.” 

About ShelbyKY — ShelbyKY (Shelbyville, Simpsonville and Shelby County) is Your Bourbon Destination. Home to two distilleries — Bulleit Distillery and Jeptha Creed Distillery — and located on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®, ShelbyKY offers an array of bourbon-centric lodging, shopping and dining.ShelbyKY is perfectly positioned for ease of access to Louisville, Lexington, and Northern Kentucky. Pair dining at classic favorites like Claudia Sanders Restaurant and local staple Bell House Restaurant, with Kentucky’s only designer outlet mall, and there’s much to see, do and taste in ShelbyKY. Home to 90-plus Saddlebred horse farms, ShelbyKY offers a rare peek into the world of the Saddlebred show horse and is known as the Saddlebred Horse Capital of the World. Outdoor adventures await those who enjoy fishing, canoeing, horseback riding and golf. We invite you to follow @visit_shelbyky on Instagram, @visitshelbyky on Facebook, and learn more about ShelbyKY at www.visitshelbyky.com . 

Media contact: Debra Locker – [email protected] / 859.536.0282

Headshots available of all ShelbyKY Tourism staff upon request.

Janette Marson, TMP, CKTP

President & CEO

Sonja Craycraft

Office Manager

Anna Ketchum

Executive Assistant

Nathan Ketchum

Facilities Director

Rebecca Taylor

Facilities Assistant

Mason Warren, CKTP, PDM

Marketing & PR Director

Mason Warren