The KentuckyUnited program was created to market Kentucky to key business decision-makers and enhance awareness of the state's business advantages. It consists of three steps: conducting marketing trips and meetings, developing marketing materials and branding, and inviting individuals for site visits. The program has successfully engaged over 1,500 site consultants and partners with various economic development organizations in Kentucky.

1. KentuckyUnited Recap<br />The KentuckyUnited program was originally created to dynamically and aggressively market Kentucky to key business decision makers around the United States. The goals of KentuckyUnited were:<br />Increase awareness among key decision makers<br />Increase number of projects/prospects interested in Kentucky<br />Provide cost-effective marketing sponsorship opportunities for local/regional economic development organizations<br />As originally designed the program was a three step process. Step 1 was to create a “Kentucky Road Show” to visit site location consultants and key businesses and leaders outside Kentucky to explain the advantages of doing business in Kentucky. Our research showed that our key audiences were not aware of what the state offered and had no compelling reason to visit. We, therefore, decided to hit the road and meet them, a process that was intended to last 18-24 months. <br />Beginning in May 2009, we have had seven out of state marketing trips along with two luncheon programs targeted specifically to site consultants. To date we have had 229 face to face appointments/meetings with companies or site location consultants (with two luncheon programs and a second marketing trip to New York yet to be held this year). We have also hosted a series of bourbon tastings in select cities resulting in more than 50 additional contacts with site consultants.<br />Step 2 was to begin marketing the state better through the creation of marketing messages and materials and raising the awareness of what Kentucky has to offer. We have done this via the creation of the KentuckyUnited logo that appears on the top of this page, along with marketing materials, an exhibit booth and customized promotional materials bearing the KentuckyUnited name and a website (www.kentuckyunitedonline.org) listing all of the partners and important information about the state. <br />We also began looking for additional marketing opportunities in order to raise awareness of Kentucky and the KentuckyUnited program. We have sponsored, at various levels, the following events since May 2009:<br />May, 2009Area Development ForumLouisville, KY<br />April, 2010IAMC Spring ForumColorado Springs, CO<br />October, 2010IAMC Fall ForumHot Springs, VA<br />November, 2010Colliers National MeetingNashville, TN<br />January, 2011China Chamber of Commerce for Import<br />& Export of Machinery and Electronic ProductsFrankfort, KY<br />February, 2011Grubb & Ellis Annual MeetingSan Diego, CA<br />May, 2011SEDC Meet the ConsultantsAtlanta, GA<br />Through these efforts we have created a database of site consultants and real estate contacts of more than 1,500 names while having a presence at numerous industry functions and events.<br />Our next phase of Step 2 is to begin bringing targeted individuals into Kentucky for site visits and familiarization trips.<br />Step 3 was to develop a true brand for Kentucky that can be sustained for years to come. This effort is ongoing and much more difficult to quantify.<br />Additionally, the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development has cited KentuckyUnited as an important partner in generating current leads for new projects within the state. The program has also been a very cost-effective way for many communities, regions and organizations to market themselves and the state. The KentuckyUnited partners are:<br />Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce<br />Corbin Economic Development Agency<br />Northwest KY Forward<br />Tennessee Valley Authority<br />Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development <br />Greater Paducah Economic Development Council<br />I-65 Alliance (Nelson County EDA, Elizabethtown IDA, North Hardin EDC & Bullitt Co. IDA)<br />LG&E/Kentucky Utilities<br />Bluegrass South (Danville/Boyle County EDC, Team Taylor County, Springfield/Washington Co. EDA, Marion County IDA, Anderson County, Harrodsburg/Mercer County IDA, Stanford/Lincoln County IDA, Garrard County Economic Development)<br />Hopkinsville-Christian County EDC<br />Bluegrass Alliance (CommerceLexington, City of Berea, Richmond Industrial Development Corp., Scott County United, Winchester-Clark County IDA, Jessamine County IDA)<br />Greater Owensboro EDC<br />Ashland Alliance<br />Mt. Sterling/Montgomery Co. IDA<br />Almost Nashville (Trigg, Christian and Todd Counties)<br />Greater Lousiville, Inc<br />Northern Kentucky Tri-ED<br />Oldham County EDC<br />Morehead/Rowan County EDC<br />Logan LEADS<br />Jeffersontown Economic Development<br />