Convention Center revenues nearing pre-pandemic level
Mar. 16—The Owensboro Convention Center and the Owensboro Sportscenter are on track to meet or exceed revenue goals for the year, the center’s general manager told Owensboro city commissioners Tuesday night.
The message from general manager Jamie Scheffer was that convention center and Sportscenter operations are returning largely to normal after events were disrupted and canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Last year, we were decimated by the pandemic,” Scheffer said. This year, however, “we are seeing record-breaking rebound, with financials and events coming back. It’s almost a return back to pre-pandemic levels.”
For the year, convention center revenues are about $235,000 above projections, while revenue at the Sportscenter is $41,175 above projections, Scheffer said.
“Right now, we are forecasting at both buildings to beat budget by $443,000,” he said.
Scheffer said the facilities are projected to host 278 events this year, with attendance exceeding 150,000 visitors. For the fiscal