Kentucky WEG for Business

Get Ready Kentucky

A new local website just launched Get Ready KY. The informational website includes all kinds of events at the Kentucky Horse Park and around the Bluegrass. It also features a FAQ section, forums and a list of cities in the Bluegrass and what they are doing to prepare for the games.

My favorite marketing part of the site was a tab near the top of the page titled "my city". The site is clean, easy to navigate with a lot of information in one place. I think it was a smart move on the creator's part to include the smaller communities surrounding Fayette County. People DO want to know what their city is planning to do special or special events during the 2010 WEG. Unfortunately, only three city's have caught on and have information posted under this tab. Maybe the other cities really do not have plans for anything spectacular during the 2010 WEG?

I was disappointed that Georgetown didn't have any information on their link. The online KYWEG community is growing quickly. Will the smaller cities be able to keep up?

HB 158 Passes First Critical Test

The following update is from the February 13, 2009 edition of the Louisville Courier~Journal and reported by Gregory A. Hall.

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- A revised version of House Speaker Greg Stumbo's bill to allow video lottery terminals at racetracks passed the House Licensing and Occupations Committee yesterday without opposition.

Despite committee support, the bill faces an uncertain future. House Bill 158 will be sent to the Appropriations and Revenue Committee, but Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg, repeated that it may not advance any further this year and currently doesn't have the 60 votes he wants for it to pass the House.

House Speaker Larry Clark, D-Louisville, said he supports Stumbo but does not believe the bill is dead and that it could be helpful in addressing a budget shortfall for the 2009-10 fiscal year. Next year's shortfall is expected to be larger than the $456 million one this fiscal year.

"I don't think it's dead, but it's the speaker's bill and it's his call," Clark said.

House Bill 158

The Kentucky Equine Education Project is supporting House Bill 158 introduced by Representative Greg Stumbo, Speaker of the House of Representatives.  The bill allows for the installation of video lottery terminals at Kentucky racetracks.  If approved into law, it is estimated by the bill's supporters, it would raise $700 million in revenues, to be distributed to Thoroughbred and Standardbred purses and purse supplements, improvements of backside facilities, provide funds for the Kentucky Quarter Horse Purse Program, the Kentucky Thoroughbred Breeder Incentive Fund and the Kentucky Standard Breeders Incentive Fund, and the creation and funding of the Kentucky Breed Authority to oversee the enhancement of equine interests for all non-racing breeds in Kentucky.

House Bill 158 is aimed at improving every aspect of the Kentucky horse industry. The horse industry in Kentuckyis under threat from other states who are wooing one of the major Kentucky industries. If you doubt it, compare the race purses of the various races tracks with video lottery terminals or casinos with Ellis Park, Kentucky Downs, Turfway Park, Thunder Ridge, and the Red Mile.

I’m not an expert in the horse industry, but my guess is, if I am in the racing and breeding businesses and my goal is to make money at it, I am going to go where the purses and breading incentives give me the best return on my investment. Am I missing something?

Legacy Trail on Facebook

I just logged into my facebook account and noticed that a friend joined the Legacy Trail group. I went over to see what it was about and thought I should share with all of you. I thought everyone should know about this group so you too can follow the Legacy Project(s) as the preparation of the World Equestrian Games can and will leave a lasting legacy to benefit our community.

The opening page about the group says,"The Legacy Center at the Blue Grass Community Foundation has a grant from the Knight Foundation to assist Lexington in preparing for the 2010 World Equestrian Games - but more importantly, to leave a legacy after the Games are gone.

We are assisiting in several initiatives in the East End neighborhood and we are working on helping to create the Legacy Trail."

Check out the legacy center website to get more details www.legacycenter.ning.com - pictures, videos, cool stuff!

Tennessee Walking Horses To Demonstrate In 2010 Games

The World Equestrian Games Foundation has decided to allow Tennessee walking horses to join in demonstrations at the 2010 World Games.  I applaud their decision.  The Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association (TWHBEA) is working to rehabilitate the image of their breed.  Exhibitors of the breed have been the target of much criticism because of the inhumane training practices of a few that involved soring.  Soring involves deliberately injuring a walking horse’s front legs to achieve an exaggerated gait for competition.  There are two acceptable methods for training Tennessee Walking horses.  One is the use of light chains placed around the front pasterns of the horse and the second is the use of pads added to the front shoes of the horse. 

As someone with close ties to folks who raise and exhibit Tennessee Walking horses, I can tell you the great majority of breeders and exhibitors care as much for their horses as any other breeders and exhibitors.  Once again, I applaud the WEG Foundation’s decision to help the breeders of Tennessee Walking horses exhibit the beauty and gracefulness of their breed.

Kentucky Horse Park

I read a description of the Kentucky Horse Park that said it was a "premier equine facility". Really, while that is true I found that description lost the heart of what the Kentucky Horse Park means to me as a local community member. I have a more emotional connection to the park because as a little girl I spent many Saturday nights clogging at the campground with Steve Smith's crowd, swimming in the campground pool, visiting the museum, horseback riding at the park facility and more throughout the years. There is so much more to the park than the WEG.

Flash forward to 2008, I now witness my in-laws enjoying time with my daughter at the beautiful campground at the park with their new RV. Then the bonus is at Christmas we make the annual trip to the park to see the lights. And for me, the Southern Light Show isn't the best part of the trip! You have to get out of the car, yes get out of the car and go see the animals, the train exhibit, and all the other fabulous fun stuff inside.

I am sure many others have experienced the park in their own way and have many memories. So for me it's not all about the "equine" at the park...it's much more than that to our community. My personal opinion is that media descriptions that fail to mention that the park is still a park looses heart. It's not just a "premier equine facility" it's part of the heart of our community and will be long after the WEG are over.

The Kentucky Horse Park website has a complete listing of all the event and activities at the park. Located just north of Lexington, Kentucky between Interstate I-75 and Newtown Pike.

Leroy Neiman offical image - painting unveiled

The World Games 2010 Foundation today unveiled the offical image of the KYWEG painted for the Kentucky's 2010 World Equestrian Games by Leroy Neiman. You can purchase the posters and notecards at the 2010 Games online store or at Cobalt Artworks gallery site.

Interview with Glenn the Geek over at Horse Radio Network

I was excited to get to speak with Glenn the Geek about our WEG Business blog in an interview for his WEG 2010 Radio Show that will come out probably next week. I will let you know when the pod cast is live. Glenn and I discussed aspects of the WEG and he really got me thinking about our tribe here on the blog.

Managing tribes is a useful concept for current business pracitices. A tribe is concept/word used by Seth Godin to describe a movement or a group that shares a connection, language or a message. For example if you are reading this blog you are possibly a member of the KY WEG for business tribe. There is a difference between a crowd or group of people and a tribe. A tribe is a group of people who actively seek out a particular group of people doing something because of their connection.

It's not business as usual and it takes work and there aren't hard fast rules for creating a tribe. You can't make people do what you want them to they choose -- not you. You can however you can lead them.

Seth's concept is based around the idea that "brand management" is dead and that the old approach was internally focused and I have to agree. He says it best, "It starts with permission, the understanding that the real asset most organizations can build isn't an amorphous brand but is in fact the privilege of delivering anticipated, personal and relevant messages to people who want to get them."

In Seth's latest book Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us he argues, "that leadership is the best marketing tactic to any organization--a company, a school, a church, a job seeker. Our role as business leaders is to find, connect and lead tribes in order to make change happen." On his blog people of his tribe write their tatics and ideas on how to build your own tribe.

Click through to see the plexo

What does this have to do with WEG business?

Number 8 on the list is to Set the Story of the Tribe. Set the Vision. Define the tribe's journey, goals, interactions, future, and how teamwork will get them where they want to go in a story that epitomizes what the tribe is about. Weave every person, skill, and resource into the story. Currently the Chamber Marketing & Communications committee and our blog leaders are weaving every person, skill and resource into this blog for the benefit of the Georgetown, KY business members and leaders.

Here is a video of seth godin on how to build and lead your tribe over at Mixergy.com.

Seth Godin, a best selling author who knows a lot about marketing, the spread of ideas and managing customers and employees with respect.

Georgetown KY Chamber WEG Update - Col. Walter Herd

The Georgetown Scott County Chamber of Commerce monthly lunch meeting will feature an update on the 2010 Kentucky World Equestrian Games. The guest speaker is Walter Herd, Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer for the World Games 2010 Foundation, Inc.

When: Monday, December 8, 2008
Where: Toyota Visitor's Center
Lunch: 11:45 a.m.
RSVP to: Lori Weeks (502) 863-5454 or email her at L dot weeks @ gtown dot org
*Member cost: $10.00

*Please contact Lori or Renee at the Chamber about membership questions if you are not a Chamber Member. Thank you!

John Deere becomes official 2010 WEG Sponsor

While I am not surprised that John Deere, the iconic tractor maker, will be the "official equipment sponsor" of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games I am thankful that they will be leaving some of the equipment behind to help take care of of the Kentucky Horse Park grounds. It's a win-win for our community and their marketing strategy. I think it speaks volumes about their company and brand. They could have sponsored less but they are showing their commitment through action.

Exerpt from the official John Deere press release:
"Since it was founded in 1837, the company has extended its heritage of integrity, quality, commitment and innovation around the globe."