Visit Lexington

Lexington is the Horse Capital of the World and one of the most affordable meetings destinations in the region — VisitLEX reports an average daily cost about 16% below nearby competitor cities. The heart of the destination is Central Bank Center, a $300 million expansion completed in 2022: 200,000 sq ft of flexible convention and event space, 100,000 sq ft of dedicated exhibit space with drive-in loading across four halls, 29,000 sq ft of meeting space and a 24,300 sq ft ballroom. It connects directly to Rupp Arena (20,500 seats) and the historic 900-seat Lexington Opera House, all run by one event team. Two convention hotels — Hilton Lexington/Downtown and Hyatt Regency Lexington, 366 rooms each — are linked to the center by skybridge, adding roughly 50,000 sq ft of meeting space. More than 1,200 hotel rooms and 75+ restaurants sit within a few blocks, with 9,000 guest rooms citywide and 5,000 committable for a citywide convention. Blue Grass Airport is 15 minutes away with 20 nonstop routes, and 3,500+ parking spaces are within two blocks. Between sessions, groups can visit Keeneland, the Kentucky Horse Park, bourbon distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and the downtown Distillery District — with a culinary and craft-drink scene anchored by Levy Restaurants at the center.