David Beck says there's a tree in the middle of Freedom Hall and the rodeo is coming

David Beck, the President and CEO of Kentucky Venues, talks the comings-and-goings in the convention business including a giant tree in Freedmon Hall, the rodeo, and some of the changes coming to the Fair and Expo Center...

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
We'll come back and talk get laterweek. Okay, my next sister is
here. It's David beck And uh, this is so ironic that David's here.
Share has a new Christmas song.And of course everybody knows David Beck
and Share dated in high school.So the crown to the middle of the

(00:21):
floor, crown of green lies.Where's the Bethlehem part? What about the
Lord? About the Lord's birth?Share get to the Christmas part? Tells

(00:43):
you she wants to be dancing allnight long. DJ play a Christmas song.
Hi, mister Beckett's good to seeyou. I just made up that
part about you dating Share in highschool. She's still pumping out new songs,
David. Yeah, if I onlyknow, I tell you well things
she's they always say about Shares.She's ten percent real, ninety percent you

(01:07):
know, new parts and so that'sshe's been rebuilt by it like an old
Chevy, but still pumping out newsongs. That is awesome. All right.
So you are the CEO of KentuckyVenues. I know the Kentucky There's
a huge expo that's going on nowthat's using both of your facilities. This

(01:27):
one, yes, the equipped exposin Louisville. Fortieth year they've been in
our town. We're very fortunate tohave them here in the Commonwealth. Major,
major show, one of the largesttrade shows in the world here in
louis What are we talking about?What kind of shir talked about? Twenty
eight thousand plus attendees. The economicimpact on this show is probably closer to

(01:47):
thirty million dollars economic impact. It'sa massive, massive. They use one
point two million square foot of indoorspace, about thirty acres plus outdoor space.
In fact, they were using kickas well as k see I was
back out of it cat you seewhile to go and there's a tree that
reaches to the top of Freedom Hall. They got people climbing around on it
showing how to use chainsaws and takecare of things. Wait, Matt,

(02:08):
what there's a tree in the middleof Freedom Hall. This group is amazing.
They brought a tree again this yearand got itsel up in Freedom Hall.
Was all the way from the floorto the ceiling. They do golf
cars, they do drones, chainsaws, grills, anything outdoor that we use
in our society. They are ondisplay there for us selling the products,

(02:30):
parts, manufacturers, you name it. Well, what about Scott Davenport.
It doesn't this team need to practice. Don't tell me some hillbilly's gonna get
Scott Davenport a haircut with a chainsaw. They'll be out there every time he's
ready to use the facility. Butyou know, this show brings people from
every state, all fifty plus fortynine countries. So it's a huge impact
argument it is we really do wehave We have those those lumberjack type people

(02:53):
hanging around swinging those Oh that's thelead show. They just walked out,
took some photos. I'll show youbefore our left exbo of all little ride
back out of here. So theydo log rolling over there. They've got
it all. The trade show's massive. You know many people here in Louisville
from here. The Farm Machinery Showright, one of the largest in the
world. It's comparable to that.In fact, that's where it got started
from the farm show many years ago. Cool. So that's just going on

(03:15):
through this weekend. Yes, I'llfinish Friday, and then don't you have
that huge show coming in starting atthe beginning of November. We do.
This is the fiftieth anniversary of theNorth American Livestock Exposition, the largest purebred
livestock show in the world. Aboutone hundred and fifty one hundred and seventy
thousand people will attend that. We'llhave over one hundred individual livestock shows of

(03:37):
all species taking place on the property. So that's another preimaz It got a
rodeo two too. That's what Iwas wondering with the rodeo, and we
want you there for the Rodeoterry.You know, I'm so tough. Those
other cowboys get intimidated when they seeme, go like, I can't win
this contest the ball guys here.I remember one time you asked about the
different type dirts we use. Toldyou we'd have soft dirtterry in the arena

(03:58):
if you're going to ride, reallydo because you're gonna get thrown right and
then the seriously though, you douse different things obviously for the horse show
that goes with the State Fair versusthis that eachster truck shows. We have
about five or six different type ofdirt store or our property, depending on
the vent we're using it for.Yeah, the mayor today launched what he
called his agenda for the next GeneralAssembly, and it looks like there's a

(04:23):
lot of stuff going on there thatthey're asking the General Assembly to do.
But the General Assembly has already beenpretty good to your you know, concerns
of the Kentucky Expo Center and kickright, that's already a system that's set
up. It is. They've alreadymade an appropriation of two hundred million dollars
to help renovate the Kentucky Exposition Center. You know, our General Assembly,

(04:46):
it's not always reflected that way inthe press, but they really do invest
in Louisville. Yeah, they recognizehe cannot be injured at Louisville is So
I'm very pleased of both the Houseand Senate leadership how they respect what we
do and support that. And asI reviewed, as you did, some
of the mayor's proposals, I thinkthey'll be receptive the law of what he
has to say. No one getseverything they ask for, right, and

(05:06):
everything won't be funded. But Ithink it's positive, very transparentist administration and
work in the legislature. I thinkthat goes a long way to help our
city continue to grow. Is thereany transition going on now at the Kentucky
Expost Center of the Fairgrounds. Unfortunately, it took a little longer. We
were ready back in the summers togo to the street with architects. He
got slowed down a little bit inFrankfort. We are now on the street

(05:30):
looking to have that. So Ihope in the next few weeks we'll be
able to who the architect is.Then the real work starts the process from
then, so we're a few monthsaway from that. One of the things
that concerns me every month we delayed. That affects our purchasing power, of
course, but also I've got clientsfrom Danny Wimer to this group here in
town this week. Every week I'vegot clent so asking me about the renovation.

(05:51):
Where will they be and how willwe accommodate them. We plan to
keep the doors open, and sowe've got to make room for these people
and make it work. The soonerI have that information, better off we
will be in taking care of existingclients but also growing new clients coming in.
Yeah, but we don't have totell anybody we're we're not available because
we're reconstructing now. You know,you remember kick it was shut down for

(06:12):
two years. Yeah, and weplan to keep the doors open. K
You see, you need to haveto and going to. Yeah, whatever
mister Wimmer wants, he wants toput that in my yard. Louder than
Life and bourbon beyond your okay andthat mansion you have, and I have
to go with that plantation. Ithink you'd probably a commodate this and I'll
see if your high school friend's Sharewill perform on Louder than Life next year.

(06:35):
David Beck always great talking to youbrother, Good to see your friends.
Thank you very much. Clay,it's good to see you too.
That is appreciate you man, andmister Beck. Thank you very much for
letting us use your broadband arena parkinglot to house our motorcycle ride each year.
That's been a true blessing. Yourstaff is amazing. Thank you.
I appreciate that compliment. I'll shareit with our team and we're glad you're

(06:58):
there. Good work, what youdo for our communicator a common will?
What's all about teamwork and partnership?Yes, that's the key. As he
says, Share would like you guysto shut up so she can sing about
Christmas. Mister b J, layme open her phones. Share. What
do you think she's getting for Christmas? Yep, another nose back in a

(07:20):
few on news radio AD forty wH as one more share Christmas