This episode of What You Missed is a bit different as we will hear our newest member organization, the Kentucky Restaurant Association. Rich Cleaves was gracious enough to spend some time telling us a bit about KYRA and their ProStart Program, which prepares high schoolers with high-level culinary and business skills, so they not excel in the restaurant industry.

Rich also explains the renewed efforts to establish more resources for restaurants and those wanting to enter that field of work here in the Bluegrass Region.

If you have questions for Rich, you can contact him at: [email protected]

You can also meet him and many of our other members a the next monthly BTMA event, just register at https://www.btmaky.org/ or contact us to get more information.

After BTMA's special wellness experience at The Sound Healing Center of Lexington, Matt Noble caught up with Amy Hudson to discuss her journey into the wellness space.

Wellness tourism in America is topping $300 billion annually, and Kentucky is playing it's part. It includes spas, yoga, sound healing, and more.

For more information about The Bluegrass Tourism Marketing Association, contact Matt at [email protected]. Don't miss our next event, register today!

After April's BTMA meeting, President Matt Noble, sat down with CEO, Daren Turner to discuss how The Commons development is transforming the north end of Downtown Lexington, KY. 

Next, Matt met with Chris Tetterton, Vice President of Marketing for RD1, an exciting bourbon company that focuses on one-of-a-kind, small batch bourbon experiences.

What you missed: This month, we heard Daren present his vision for the rest of The Commons. We took a walking tour from their new office to the RD1 Distillery, which opens to the public at the end of April. At Rd1, we experienced the first ever tasting experience offered in their new building. We enjoyed a breakfast charcuterie board, and networking.

Sign Up: Register for our next meeting at: www.btmaky.org/events

Become a Member: For information about joining BTMA, contact Courtney Jones at [email protected]

Chenelle Mcgee, Director of International Travel for Kentucky, provided BTMA members an in-depth look at the opportunities that exist for individuals and organizations wanting to grow their clientele in the hospitality and travel industry here in the Bluegrass. We caught her afterwards for what she thinks is the biggest takeaway. Here's What You Missed.

For more from Chenelle, she's on LinkedIn, and X:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chenelle-m-18a28517a/

https://x.com/Coordinated_Mes