Convention Center Corporation Board Chairman and Rotarian Jim Sigler said overseeing the relations between the privately held Executive Inn and the publicly appointed board responsible for the attached convention center were relatively non-controversial for many years, but all that changed in 2005 when the Executive Inn was purchased by a new owner. The resulting controversies have not only threatened Paducah's Annual Quilt Show, but have resulted in the hotel to be shutttered indefinitely and kept the two convention centers largely dark.

These issues and more have kept local elected officials and the board busier than ever in trying to find ways to continue operating the two symbiotic entities. As Sigler pointed out, it's difficult to attract big conventions when the attached hotel is closed. Most big conventions book in a cycle 2 to 3 years out and with no date for when the hotel might re-open, that business is lost.

However, the Convention Center Corporation is not sitting still. Improvements to the older Julian Carroll Convention Center have been made in preparation for next year's AQS Show and will be unveiled to the public next month. The board has also filed for foreclosure on the hotel's owner in hopes of attracting a new hotel developer. Questions remain if the hotel can be sufficiently renovated or if it will be demolished to make way for a brand new hotel once the courts have ruled on the foreclosure.

"We can't move forward with a new partnership until that's done," said Sigler. He said the fastest resolution would be for a buyer to negotiate a sale with the current owner. Efforts to purchase the hotel have dragged on with an interested buyer since last years for various reasons.

Sigler says the improvements also accomplished the goal of severing the two properties utilities, which allow the board to rent the two expo spaces while the hotel is closed. He says negotiations continue with the Carson Center on a management agreement and interviews will be conducted to hire an employee to oversee the maintenance, rental and marketing of the convention center spaces.

"It's been an interesting three years of turbulence and there will be more turbulence. We're still in the storm even though there are a lot of positive things going on," said Sigler.

NEXT WEEK

Richard N. Henson, known nationally as a motivational speaker, humorist, storyteller, and craftsman. He is the third generation broom maker at the renowned Henson Broom Shop & General Store located in Symsonia, KY.

Dave Perry--July Program Chair

NEW MEMBER

The first new member of the Rotary year was introduced last week. David Morse, the Director of Corporate Partnership for Baker-Kerr Racing, sponsored by Mike Muscarella. David and his wife have two young children and attend the Folsomdale Church of Christ. He is a graduate of David Lipscomb College and enjoys hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities. Please take a moment this month to introduce yourself and welcome David to the Club.