People to know tourism/hospitality: Bill Stenzhorn

Bill Stenzhorn, chief operating officer, Fourth Street Live!

Years in current job: Less than a year

Years in tourism/hospitality industry: 30

What does Louisville need to take its tourism/hospitality game to the next level? With the world-class renovation of Kentucky International Convention Center, there are very few cities that can host large diverse events like we now can. I’ve been to a lot of conventions and trade shows during my career, and I can assure you that our convention facility is one of the best I have ever seen. If I were writing a wish list, it would be exciting to see our airport provide additional direct flights to and from more destinations, allowing visitors easier access into our beautiful city. 

Where do you see the industry in 10 years? In 10 years, the tourism and hospitality industries will have continued to grow exponentially because I believe the economy will have continued to prosper. The tourism and hospitality industries benefit from a thriving economy; however, our biggest challenge will continue to be the low unemployment rate that our city and our region currently are experiencing.

What do you like best about interacting with the public? I don’t take for granted the position that Fourth Street Live! holds as the No. 1 tourist destination in the state of Kentucky. Therefore, I am proud to welcome our visitors from around the state and around the country by hosting them for dinner and drinks, entertaining them while they are in downtown Louisville and sharing in the fun of exploring our deep Kentucky heritage of bourbon distillation. Also, I love seeing families and groups of friends from throughout the community enjoying our facility that the staff and tenant-partners work so hard to showcase and maintain.

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