Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Matt Gibson is the head president, CEO, what else, Development director. No,
I'm just going what yeah, everything, Kentucky Derby Festival. Hey man,
good to see you, to see you, Tony. All right,
I want I want a jacket. I'm retiring somewhere. You've
got to have some polyester. You know, maybe I could
volunteer next year.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
Or myself for blending in today.
Speaker 1 (00:22):
You are all right? So we got the pink going.
It's been a great Derby Festival. I mean, obviously we
we missed out on thunder and I'm so sorry, uh
you know for that, but I know you'll be back.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
Oh yeah, years with no disruption or cancelation is an
extraordinary run. And you know, you're doing outdoor events in
the spring in Kentucky on the Ohio, and there are
a lot of factors at play always and the Ohio
is always one that we deal with. Uh, and the
River's going to do what the River's going to do.
We've been doing this long enough. This is my twenty
(00:55):
seventh year when we started really looking at the data,
and uh, we were eating with the national Noah folks
that were telling us what was happening upriver, and just
as importantly downriver. We knew that it was presenting a
challenge that we hadn't seen before. So the decision was made.
It was still a tough announcement to make. I think
that voice shook a little bit because we're so emotionally
(01:15):
attached to what we do when we bring this entire
festival to the community, and we take it very very seriously.
I mean, oh, you do you know it's not only
that spring rite of passage, but that this community loves,
and people regionally they come, you know, nationwide, but it
is it is something that we it's our gift to
(01:36):
the community. So it was a tough call to make.
Speaker 1 (01:39):
Well, and I know how hard you guys work hours
and hours. Yes, you know when it's this time of
year tillmorrow, we're gonna have a lot of showers. Again,
what's that saying for the for the the steamboat.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
Race, so you know the showers shouldn't affect it too much.
And both boats, you know, have the inside and we
gone many times in the rain, and we do a
lot of our events in the rain. We are rain
or shine. I always say, there's no bad weather, just
bad weather gear. So people come prepared and they know
(02:13):
what to expect in this community. But that's always one
of my favorites. We've seen such a resurgence of people
being interested in that event, and they line the shores
and the event is a sellout every year, and if
people want to attend, they just have to get those
tickets early. They're always available, but you just have to
get them early. And it's just an extraordinary event, and
(02:35):
the age and the history behind the event itself is extraordinary.
Speaker 1 (02:40):
I know that there were some unplanned events going on
at the festival.
Speaker 2 (02:43):
Yeah, at Kruger's Festival.
Speaker 1 (02:45):
Tell us a little bit about that and what preparations
you made for in conjunction with some miscrants.
Speaker 2 (02:51):
That's right. The you know, the videos that many people
have seen and they're easy to access, really tell the story.
We had a small contingent of unaccompanied teams that there
were some disturbances. You know, it was just an energy
that isn't one that would make families feel safe, and
it swelled up to a couple hundred and we dealt
(03:14):
with it. We have great partners in the Jefferson County
Sheriff's Office. They were down there with us, our off
duty security Louisville Metro police obviously in the first division,
were there with us and we dealt with it and
it did impact what was a phenomenal day. So we
met with our leader team and discussed with our board,
We met with the mayor, Deputy Mayor James, We've talked
(03:37):
to a few council members and really quickly implemented the
no miners without a chaperone policy. We enacted that yesterday
and it worked phenomenally. We had beautiful crowds there yesterday
on that gorgeous day, Lots of families just there to
entertain what they know is a safe event, and that's
safety is always the top priority for our organization. We
(03:59):
don't run things to the margins because we've been doing
this a long time. It's our responsibility to keep people safe.
And every year we see about one point four million
folks and safety is a key factor and it was
an easy decision. We've gotten a lot of support on
social media. All the feedback that I get from our partners,
Community Partners has been fantastic. And then obviously seeing it
(04:21):
and acted last night and seeing all the families they're
having a good time.
Speaker 1 (04:25):
Every generation says kids these days, that's right, But yeah,
and you know in our generation, those kids these days too,
that's right. But you know we were talking off air,
and social media can have a lot to do with this. Hey,
come on, Dan, we're partying where we're you know what.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
That's that's the that's the difference now and that we
see because it started with a small group and then
it expanded very very quickly, and social media a lot
of phones out. That's why there's as many videos as
there are, uh, and that that contributes to it. It's
it's tough, I'm sure being a kid growing up these days,
because I'm glad we weren't exposed to the things that
(05:01):
these kids deal with. And I think it's growing pains
with this. Like you said, our generation, every generation, every community.
It's just when when teens get together, it could be
a great thing, or it can go a little south.
And unfortunately this one south.
Speaker 1 (05:16):
So and now you're done all you can to ensure
that everybody can have a safe event. And and you
at least anecdotally you got some answers, you know, yesterday.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
We really did. And and it's not exclusive to the
Derby Festival. So Kentucky venues experienced this. The Ohio State fair.
It is a it's becoming a common policy.
Speaker 3 (05:38):
All the Kentucky State Fairy absolutely last years.
Speaker 2 (05:41):
And we consulted with them because they we were able
to really discuss what they experienced, what they learned from theirs,
and it helped us and actors very quickly. And we've
got a great team around us.
Speaker 1 (05:54):
Let me ask you events that that are still continuing
the rest of the week. Yeah, because I don't see
you're not going to be back here? Are you gonna
be back here tomorrow?
Speaker 2 (06:02):
I'll be coming out with my daughter later this week,
my oldest daughter's tradition because she loves to see it.
She's the one that pleads for U of L and
plays soccer there and it's been a tradition that we've done.
When her little sister gets a little older and school
starts later, we'll share that with her too, so it'll
be an unofficial capacity. But we've got a lot going
on this week. You know again, you talked about the
(06:23):
Great Steamboat Race sponsored Best Shepherd Insurance. We've got Winefest
tonight at Melwood Arts Center. Still tickets available for that.
That is a phenomenal event with Kentucky and you go,
do you have to go online absolutely Katie dot org
and it goes right through event Bright and tickets are
available at the door as well, and just phenomenal ones
(06:44):
from Kentucky and Southern Indiana, and it is. It looks
like a mini Derby because everybody is stressed to the
nuns and it's extraordinary. Then we have the stock Cards
Bank Hole in one finals. I would love, love, love
to give away that big million dollar check. I'm crossing
my fingers that we do that this year. And you know,
the finals will be out at the Seneca Golf Course
(07:06):
at whole eight. It's got a water feature, it's an
uphill shot and it's been there for years and hopefully
tonight is the night. It would be extraordinary.
Speaker 1 (07:15):
Well, somebody won one hundred and sixty four million dollars
with the power of borrow one of the lottery, so
why not we will love it. Shit on a roll.
Speaker 2 (07:23):
I always joke that one of the best things about
this job is sometimes giving away that big check. It's
a fun thing to do. I don't care if it's
a five dollar check or a five million dollar check.
It would be a blast, But it would be extraordinary
to give that million dollars away tonight.
Speaker 1 (07:35):
Make sure you get your festival pen if you're going
to go to any of the events, and you'll get
right in there. What else, anything else to wrap.
Speaker 2 (07:41):
Up the Kroger's Festival all the way through Friday Friday
evening and hopefully the weather holds and people can come
out and enjoy, because we really do. We turn that
event venue over every day, so different programming constantly. And
then there's obviously the fantastic food. I am a huge
concession stand in festival food fan, so you'll see me
(08:02):
wandering my way around. We call it the food tour,
uh and I love it. So there's something there for
everyone as well. And then just the rides, the total experience,
and the waterfront looks incredible after all the flooding. You
it blows my mind to see how clean it looks.
Speaker 3 (08:18):
Yeah, a lot of citizens helped out.
Speaker 2 (08:20):
Oh that's right, thanks Gating Partnerships.
Speaker 3 (08:22):
Great to see you, brother.
Speaker 2 (08:23):
Great, Great to see you too, my friend.
Speaker 3 (08:24):
Okay, Matt Gibson Kentucky Derby Festival.
Speaker 1 (08:27):
Here on news radioa Aporty Wha as Sports coming up
with Scott John Shannon has the news all on the
way here in the next ten
Matt Gibson is the head president, CEO, what else, Development director. No,
I'm just going what yeah, everything, Kentucky Derby Festival. Hey man,
good to see you, to see you, Tony. All right,
I want I want a jacket. I'm retiring somewhere. You've
got to have some polyester. You know, maybe I could
volunteer next year.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
Or myself for blending in today.
Speaker 1 (00:22):
You are all right? So we got the pink going.
It's been a great Derby Festival. I mean, obviously we
we missed out on thunder and I'm so sorry, uh
you know for that, but I know you'll be back.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
Oh yeah, years with no disruption or cancelation is an
extraordinary run. And you know, you're doing outdoor events in
the spring in Kentucky on the Ohio, and there are
a lot of factors at play always and the Ohio
is always one that we deal with. Uh, and the
River's going to do what the River's going to do.
We've been doing this long enough. This is my twenty
(00:55):
seventh year when we started really looking at the data,
and uh, we were eating with the national Noah folks
that were telling us what was happening upriver, and just
as importantly downriver. We knew that it was presenting a
challenge that we hadn't seen before. So the decision was made.
It was still a tough announcement to make. I think
that voice shook a little bit because we're so emotionally
(01:15):
attached to what we do when we bring this entire
festival to the community, and we take it very very seriously.
I mean, oh, you do you know it's not only
that spring rite of passage, but that this community loves,
and people regionally they come, you know, nationwide, but it
is it is something that we it's our gift to
(01:36):
the community. So it was a tough call to make.
Speaker 1 (01:39):
Well, and I know how hard you guys work hours
and hours. Yes, you know when it's this time of
year tillmorrow, we're gonna have a lot of showers. Again,
what's that saying for the for the the steamboat.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
Race, so you know the showers shouldn't affect it too much.
And both boats, you know, have the inside and we
gone many times in the rain, and we do a
lot of our events in the rain. We are rain
or shine. I always say, there's no bad weather, just
bad weather gear. So people come prepared and they know
(02:13):
what to expect in this community. But that's always one
of my favorites. We've seen such a resurgence of people
being interested in that event, and they line the shores
and the event is a sellout every year, and if
people want to attend, they just have to get those
tickets early. They're always available, but you just have to
get them early. And it's just an extraordinary event, and
(02:35):
the age and the history behind the event itself is extraordinary.
Speaker 1 (02:40):
I know that there were some unplanned events going on
at the festival.
Speaker 2 (02:43):
Yeah, at Kruger's Festival.
Speaker 1 (02:45):
Tell us a little bit about that and what preparations
you made for in conjunction with some miscrants.
Speaker 2 (02:51):
That's right. The you know, the videos that many people
have seen and they're easy to access, really tell the story.
We had a small contingent of unaccompanied teams that there
were some disturbances. You know, it was just an energy
that isn't one that would make families feel safe, and
it swelled up to a couple hundred and we dealt
(03:14):
with it. We have great partners in the Jefferson County
Sheriff's Office. They were down there with us, our off
duty security Louisville Metro police obviously in the first division,
were there with us and we dealt with it and
it did impact what was a phenomenal day. So we
met with our leader team and discussed with our board,
We met with the mayor, Deputy Mayor James, We've talked
(03:37):
to a few council members and really quickly implemented the
no miners without a chaperone policy. We enacted that yesterday
and it worked phenomenally. We had beautiful crowds there yesterday
on that gorgeous day, Lots of families just there to
entertain what they know is a safe event, and that's
safety is always the top priority for our organization. We
(03:59):
don't run things to the margins because we've been doing
this a long time. It's our responsibility to keep people safe.
And every year we see about one point four million
folks and safety is a key factor and it was
an easy decision. We've gotten a lot of support on
social media. All the feedback that I get from our partners,
Community Partners has been fantastic. And then obviously seeing it
(04:21):
and acted last night and seeing all the families they're
having a good time.
Speaker 1 (04:25):
Every generation says kids these days, that's right, But yeah,
and you know in our generation, those kids these days too,
that's right. But you know we were talking off air,
and social media can have a lot to do with this. Hey,
come on, Dan, we're partying where we're you know what.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
That's that's the that's the difference now and that we
see because it started with a small group and then
it expanded very very quickly, and social media a lot
of phones out. That's why there's as many videos as
there are, uh, and that that contributes to it. It's
it's tough, I'm sure being a kid growing up these days,
because I'm glad we weren't exposed to the things that
(05:01):
these kids deal with. And I think it's growing pains
with this. Like you said, our generation, every generation, every community.
It's just when when teens get together, it could be
a great thing, or it can go a little south.
And unfortunately this one south.
Speaker 1 (05:16):
So and now you're done all you can to ensure
that everybody can have a safe event. And and you
at least anecdotally you got some answers, you know, yesterday.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
We really did. And and it's not exclusive to the
Derby Festival. So Kentucky venues experienced this. The Ohio State fair.
It is a it's becoming a common policy.
Speaker 3 (05:38):
All the Kentucky State Fairy absolutely last years.
Speaker 2 (05:41):
And we consulted with them because they we were able
to really discuss what they experienced, what they learned from theirs,
and it helped us and actors very quickly. And we've
got a great team around us.
Speaker 1 (05:54):
Let me ask you events that that are still continuing
the rest of the week. Yeah, because I don't see
you're not going to be back here? Are you gonna
be back here tomorrow?
Speaker 2 (06:02):
I'll be coming out with my daughter later this week,
my oldest daughter's tradition because she loves to see it.
She's the one that pleads for U of L and
plays soccer there and it's been a tradition that we've done.
When her little sister gets a little older and school
starts later, we'll share that with her too, so it'll
be an unofficial capacity. But we've got a lot going
on this week. You know again, you talked about the
(06:23):
Great Steamboat Race sponsored Best Shepherd Insurance. We've got Winefest
tonight at Melwood Arts Center. Still tickets available for that.
That is a phenomenal event with Kentucky and you go,
do you have to go online absolutely Katie dot org
and it goes right through event Bright and tickets are
available at the door as well, and just phenomenal ones
(06:44):
from Kentucky and Southern Indiana, and it is. It looks
like a mini Derby because everybody is stressed to the
nuns and it's extraordinary. Then we have the stock Cards
Bank Hole in one finals. I would love, love, love
to give away that big million dollar check. I'm crossing
my fingers that we do that this year. And you know,
the finals will be out at the Seneca Golf Course
(07:06):
at whole eight. It's got a water feature, it's an
uphill shot and it's been there for years and hopefully
tonight is the night. It would be extraordinary.
Speaker 1 (07:15):
Well, somebody won one hundred and sixty four million dollars
with the power of borrow one of the lottery, so
why not we will love it. Shit on a roll.
Speaker 2 (07:23):
I always joke that one of the best things about
this job is sometimes giving away that big check. It's
a fun thing to do. I don't care if it's
a five dollar check or a five million dollar check.
It would be a blast, But it would be extraordinary
to give that million dollars away tonight.
Speaker 1 (07:35):
Make sure you get your festival pen if you're going
to go to any of the events, and you'll get
right in there. What else, anything else to wrap.
Speaker 2 (07:41):
Up the Kroger's Festival all the way through Friday Friday
evening and hopefully the weather holds and people can come
out and enjoy, because we really do. We turn that
event venue over every day, so different programming constantly. And
then there's obviously the fantastic food. I am a huge
concession stand in festival food fan, so you'll see me
(08:02):
wandering my way around. We call it the food tour,
uh and I love it. So there's something there for
everyone as well. And then just the rides, the total experience,
and the waterfront looks incredible after all the flooding. You
it blows my mind to see how clean it looks.
Speaker 3 (08:18):
Yeah, a lot of citizens helped out.
Speaker 2 (08:20):
Oh that's right, thanks Gating Partnerships.
Speaker 3 (08:22):
Great to see you, brother.
Speaker 2 (08:23):
Great, Great to see you too, my friend.
Speaker 3 (08:24):
Okay, Matt Gibson Kentucky Derby Festival.
Speaker 1 (08:27):
Here on news radioa Aporty Wha as Sports coming up
with Scott John Shannon has the news all on the
way here in the next ten
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