(WHAS11) - “We hope that we’ll have 1.5 million people come as they do every year. A lot of people are staying home and not taking vacations hence Road to Fun…” explained Aimee Boyd, Spokesperson for KY Derby Festival. But in this tough economy, how many people will hop on that highway. . . “The economy has been tough in recruiting sponsorships...” said Boyd. “Sponsorship wise, we’ve lost $250K, but we’re hoping to make all that up,” said Boyd. And with businesses struggling, will this year’s events be as grand as last year’s? “Right now we have not scaled back any events, or cut back. In fact we’re adding events to our schedule,” said Boyd. Two new events: a concert and a ball just for teenagers. And although the price of a Pegasus Pin is $1 more this year, Aimee Boyd says, it’s still worth every penny. “This helps us continue to produce events for public. And with it people can still get into 2/3 of events for free. The outlook for the 2009 Derby Festival is great, our events are on track.”
But perspectives differ. Jim Wood of the Convention and Visitors Bureau says he’s expecting a slow Derby year. He says: “What I am hearing right now is the softening of the economy will have some impact on this year’s Derby. I met with eight hotel GM’s today who all feel that derby this year will be soft in terms of travel and length of stay. Usually people are here for 3 nights 4 days. This year we are seeing more people looking to cut their trip down to 2 nights 3 days. Some companies that use Derby as an incentive award for their top producers are cutting their numbers in half or have opted to take a pass but only for this year and promise to return in full force in 2010. With that said the Derby is sold out but it has taken longer to sell out our packages than in years past. I would also expect that dining and entertaining will be a little softer this year as well.” But Vincenzo’s says so far, this Derby year for them, beats last year. “We actually have more reservations this year, than during the average year,” said Brandon Shafiei, a General Manager for Vincenzo’s. “We have a few regulars, but we still have some out-of-towners coming in from New York and that area.”
