UK and community leaders partner to showcase signature Kentucky industries
Rolling fields of bluegrass, premier bourbon, world-class horse farms and rich agriculture illustrate the Central Kentucky story—a story shared at an exclusive event celebrating the region’s acclaimed industries.
The Signature Industries in the Bluegrass event, a pre-conference gathering ahead of the annual James B. Beam Institute Industry Conference, was designed to showcase Lexington’s economic and cultural contributions to these iconic industries for conference guests from across the world.
The event — a collaboration between the University of Kentucky, the City of Lexington, Commerce Lexington, VisitLex and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture — conceptually originated from a Commerce Lexington Chamber trip to Salt Lake City, where discussions offered ideas on leveraging key industries and events, like the Winter Olympics, to drive economic development and tourism. Inspired by these conversations, the Signature Industries in the Bluegrass event organizers sought to share the unique beauty and culture of the region and position Lexington and the Commonwealth as a premier destination for business investment, cultural tourism, and industry collaboration. With attendees traveling from locations including China and Scotland, the Beam Conference provided a platform to showcase the region’s strengths on a global stage.
“The idea was to build an event around the Beam conference because it was bringing people to Lexington from around the world,” Kim Kluemper, UK Director of Business Engagement, said. “We wanted the event to complement the Beam conference’s vision and efforts but also share the charm and hospitality of this place we love”
The day began at Mill Ridge Farm, where participants received an in-depth tour of the farm's thoroughbred operations. The visit provided insight into breeding, training, and the economic significance of the equine industry, reinforcing Kentucky’s reputation as a global leader in horse racing and breeding. The tour continued with a scenic drive through Keeneland, Lexington’s landmark racing venue, offering attendees a glimpse of its historic grounds and its role in the region’s equestrian heritage.
“While available sites, buildings, and workforce are central to site location decisions, quality of life factors are becoming more and more important,” Niki Goldey, Director of New Business Development at Commerce Lexington said. “For the Beam pre-conference event, we felt it was important to showcase the rich cultural heritage of central Kentucky’s equine industry to gain a more wholistic understanding of life in Greater Lex.”
The Kentucky Castle served as the final destination, where guests participated in a guided tour of the historic property, followed by a curated bourbon tasting. The evening program featured a dinner showcasing locally grown Kentucky Proud products, followed by a panel discussion with distinguished industry experts. Panelists included Peggy Noe Stevens, a pioneering figure in the bourbon industry; Amir Peay, founder of James E. Pepper Distillery; and Scott Savage, CEO of Bespoken Spirits. The discussion was moderated by Landon Borders, Director of the Estate Whisky Alliance. Together, they explored the evolving landscape of the bourbon industry, its economic impact on Kentucky, and future opportunities for innovation and growth.
“It was a privilege to engage with our esteemed panelists, gaining insight into their experiences and journeys to our region while also hearing their visionary perspectives on the future of Kentucky's bourbon industry,” said Borders.
Participants then spent the rest of their week in Lexington at the James B. Beam Institute’s Industry Conference. The conference featured over 140 speakers from academia and industry sharing research, trends, and best practices in hospitality, sustainability, legal aspects, technology, maturation, fermentation, agriculture, distillation, HR, and more. Attendees had the opportunity to connect with industry professionals, researchers, and vendors to explore innovations and advancements shaping the field.
“The conference is a unique opportunity for industry, suppliers, farmers and researchers to discuss best practices and move the industry forward. With $9 billion in economic impact and over 23,000 jobs in Kentucky alone, distilling is a major economic driver for Kentucky, and a model for other states and regions worldwide,” Ilka Balk, Associate Director for the James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits, said. “This year, almost 1,500 attendees representing 445 organizations and companies from 14 countries, and 43 US States and Territories made this conference the largest and most impactful conference to date.”
This pre-conference event reinforced Lexington’s status as a leading hub for the equine and bourbon industries, fostering connections among industry professionals while promoting the city as a vibrant center for economic growth and tourism.