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Awards, Venues & Destinations
EXHIBITOR Names the Owensboro Convention Center a 2026 Centers of Excellence Award Winner
11/6/2025
OWENSBORO, KY – Oak View Group, venue management for the Owensboro Convention Center, is proud to announce that Exhibitor Group has named the venue a 2026 Centers of Excellence Award winner. This prestigious accolade from Exhibitor Group, which produces both EXHIBITOR magazine and Find It Marketplace, the buyer’s guide to trade show products and services, launched this initiative to identify and recognize the best convention centers for trade shows and events.
“We’re honored to be recognized among the nation’s top convention centers. Our team takes pride in creating seamless experiences for clients and guests, with attention to every detail that makes events successful,” said Jeff Esposito, General Manager of the Owensboro Convention Center.
Applicants were evaluated based on a wide variety of criteria in five primary areas
"The Centers of Excellence Awards allows exhibit managers to identify exhibitor-friendly venues that make their experiences at trade shows and events smooth and successful," said Emily Olson, editor of EXHIBITOR magazine, noting that everything from the number and size of the bays on the loading dock to the cost and quality of internet service can significantly impact exhibitors' experiences. "The facilities on this list have proven their ability to host trade shows and events of all sizes while providing world-class service and state-of-the-art accommodations."
The winning venues are featured in a special supplement in October/November issue of EXHIBITOR, as well as on the online portal that enables face-to-face marketers to quickly and easily research potential event venues and learn more about the convention centers hosting the trade shows and exhibitions on their annual calendars.
About Exhibitor Group
The leader in trade show and corporate event marketing education, Exhibitor Group publishes EXHIBITOR magazine, an award-winning publication featuring best practices in trade show marketing. EXHIBITOR's learning events include: EXHIBITORLIVE, The Conference and Exhibition for Trade Show and Event Marketers; EXHIBITOR Education Week, the Professional Learning Conference for Exhibit and Corporate Event Marketers; and EXHIBITOR eTrak, professional online learning. Exhibitor Group is also the founder of CTSM (Certified Trade Show Marketer), the industry's only university-affiliated professional certification program. Learn more at ExhibitorOnline.com.
About the Owensboro Convention Center
Western Kentucky’s premier meeting space - the Owensboro Convention Center - is a full-service meeting facility overlooking the scenic Ohio River in revitalized downtown Owensboro, KY. The multi-purpose center boasts just under 102,000 sq. ft. of available space, including a 44,000+ sq. ft. exhibition hall, 8,900+ sq. ft. Kentucky Legend ® Pier outside over the scenic Ohio River, and additional ballroom, meeting, and pre-function space. Learn more at OwensboroCenter.com.
About Oak View Group
Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in live experience venue development, management, premium hospitality services, and 360-degree solutions for a collection of world-class owned venues and a client roster of arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions. Founded by Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff in 2015, OVG is the leading developer of major new venues either open or under development across four continents. Visit OakViewGroup.com, and follow OVG on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.
Contact:
[email protected]
OWENSBORO, KY – Oak View Group, venue management for the Owensboro Convention Center, is proud to announce that Exhibitor Group has named the venue a 2026 Centers of Excellence Award winner. This prestigious accolade from Exhibitor Group, which produces both EXHIBITOR magazine and Find It Marketplace, the buyer’s guide to trade show products and services, launched this initiative to identify and recognize the best convention centers for trade shows and events.
“We’re honored to be recognized among the nation’s top convention centers. Our team takes pride in creating seamless experiences for clients and guests, with attention to every detail that makes events successful,” said Jeff Esposito, General Manager of the Owensboro Convention Center.
Applicants were evaluated based on a wide variety of criteria in five primary areas
- Facility & Functionality
- Location & Accommodations
- Service & Execution
- Expansions & Upgrades
- and finally, Honors & Awards
"The Centers of Excellence Awards allows exhibit managers to identify exhibitor-friendly venues that make their experiences at trade shows and events smooth and successful," said Emily Olson, editor of EXHIBITOR magazine, noting that everything from the number and size of the bays on the loading dock to the cost and quality of internet service can significantly impact exhibitors' experiences. "The facilities on this list have proven their ability to host trade shows and events of all sizes while providing world-class service and state-of-the-art accommodations."
The winning venues are featured in a special supplement in October/November issue of EXHIBITOR, as well as on the online portal that enables face-to-face marketers to quickly and easily research potential event venues and learn more about the convention centers hosting the trade shows and exhibitions on their annual calendars.
About Exhibitor Group
The leader in trade show and corporate event marketing education, Exhibitor Group publishes EXHIBITOR magazine, an award-winning publication featuring best practices in trade show marketing. EXHIBITOR's learning events include: EXHIBITORLIVE, The Conference and Exhibition for Trade Show and Event Marketers; EXHIBITOR Education Week, the Professional Learning Conference for Exhibit and Corporate Event Marketers; and EXHIBITOR eTrak, professional online learning. Exhibitor Group is also the founder of CTSM (Certified Trade Show Marketer), the industry's only university-affiliated professional certification program. Learn more at ExhibitorOnline.com.
About the Owensboro Convention Center
Western Kentucky’s premier meeting space - the Owensboro Convention Center - is a full-service meeting facility overlooking the scenic Ohio River in revitalized downtown Owensboro, KY. The multi-purpose center boasts just under 102,000 sq. ft. of available space, including a 44,000+ sq. ft. exhibition hall, 8,900+ sq. ft. Kentucky Legend ® Pier outside over the scenic Ohio River, and additional ballroom, meeting, and pre-function space. Learn more at OwensboroCenter.com.
About Oak View Group
Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in live experience venue development, management, premium hospitality services, and 360-degree solutions for a collection of world-class owned venues and a client roster of arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions. Founded by Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff in 2015, OVG is the leading developer of major new venues either open or under development across four continents. Visit OakViewGroup.com, and follow OVG on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.
Contact:
[email protected]
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