MILWAUKEE – The Utility Expo will open September 26, 2023, at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville. While utility construction professionals will have plenty to experience during show hours, with more than 850 exhibitors on display, Louisville also has plenty to experience when the doors close each night.
“Louisville presents a unique opportunity to bring the utility infrastructure industry together at The Utility Expo,” said Show Director John Rozum. “With its rich bourbon heritage, the wide variety of cuisine, and diverse array of experiences, this city creates a fun environment for utility infrastructure professionals to convene, connect and learn. Louisville consistently extends its warm, southern hospitality to the utility sector, making it an ideal destination for The Utility Expo.”
Bourbon & Bites
Louisville, and Northern Kentucky, are globally known for bourbon, the uniquely American whiskey that has been produced here for more than a century. Being the “Gateway to the South,” Louisville seamlessly blends the culinary cultures of Southern and Midwestern traditions.
Utility Expo attendees will find three new urban bourbon experiences have been added to the Derby City’s Whiskey Row, including:
- The Bardstown Bourbon Company (730 W Main St.) just expanded to Louisville with a full-service bar and lounge, bottle shop with limited releases, and a classroom for utility pros to learn about the company’s approach to spirits.
- Micro distillery Buzzard’s Roost (624 W. Main St.) opened their new Whiskey Experience in Downtown Louisville’s Whiskey Row, with a large bar for samples and cocktails, whiskey and cocktail classes, and limited releases from their retail space.
- Number 15 (121 W. Main St.) is a new, five-story social hall also in Whiskey Row, with a sports bar, live music on the main floor stage, and a balcony bar overlooking Louisville’s Main Street. Number 15 offers multiple breweries and distilleries under a single roof.
Whiskey Row isn’t Louisville’s only collection of venues for Utility Expo attendees to enjoy themselves during off hours. There are several spaces in the city where attendees can find multiple restaurants to choose from close together, including:
- The Village Market in Paristown (712 Brent St.) is Louisville’s newest eatery, with four local restaurants and a large bar in a single space. A casual eatery with indoor and outdoor seating, guests can find burgers, pizza, Filipino food, and even donuts on offer.
- “Restaurant Row” on Bardstown Rd. in The Highlands Neighborhood is an area with casual pubs and sushi bars mixed in with breakfast places and chef-forward bistros built for foodies. Restaurant Row has a little bit of everything for utility pros looking for what Louisville has to offer.
- Louisville’s Logan Street Market (1001 Logan St.) is a public market-style venue featuring food, shopping and event space. Food and drink span everything from grits to sushi to coffee to crepes. Upstairs, find local artisans offering gifts, jewelry, custom-embroidered clothing, candles and more.
More to Experience
If you’re more of an experiential traveler, there are plenty of unique experiences to have in Louisville, including:
- On Wednesday, September 27, show attendees should head to the Utility Rocks street party at 4th Street Live with live music from The Crashers.
- The Louisville Ghost Tours are a great after-hours experience based on David Domine’s book True Ghost Stories and Eerie Legends from America’s Most Haunted Neighborhood. A nightly guide leads this tour to learn about the paranormal hotspots of “America’s Most Haunted Neighborhood,” complete with gas lamps and hidden walking courts.
- For utility pros that want to stay in Louisville an extra day and really enjoy a good scare, Waverly Hills Sanatorium offers nighttime tours on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. A host will guide visitors through all five haunted floors, including a look down the infamous “body chute.”
- For those looking for something more relaxing than terrifying, Louisville’s Waterfront Park, including the “Big Four” and “Swing Park,” is a fun spot along the city’s Ohio River banks with plenty of activities, or just a quiet space to have a coffee in the morning before heading to the show.
- For attendees and exhibitors that would like a team experience after hours, The Thirsty Pedaler is a pedal bar-crawler that stops at bars around downtown Louisville. They do both public tours and private parties and can take patrons to some of Louisville’s best establishments.
“Louisville is beyond excited for The Utility Expo’s return this fall and know attendees will truly enjoy the city’s iconic attractions, vibrant culinary scene and lively neighborhoods alongside Bourbon City’s new ‘spirited’ entertainment options throughout historic Main Street,” said Cleo Battle, president and CEO of Louisville Tourism. “We are truly honored for the opportunity to host one of the top five largest tradeshows in the U.S. and appreciate the partnership we’ve formed with one of the city’s longest standing shows. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back for The Utility Expo!”
Utility infrastructure professionals can save twenty percent on their badge by using the code NEWS20 during the registration process until September 25.
About The Utility Expo
The Utility Expo is the largest event for utility professionals and construction contractors seeking comprehensive insights into the latest industry technologies, innovations and trends. The biennial trade show, known for equipment test drives and interactive product demonstrations, takes place in Louisville, Ky. The next event will be September 26-28, 2023.
About the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM)
AEM is the North America-based international trade group representing off-road equipment manufacturers and suppliers with more than 1,000 companies and more than 200 product lines in the agriculture and construction-related industry sectors worldwide. The equipment manufacturing industry in the United States supports 2.3 million jobs and contributes roughly $316 billion to the economy every year.
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