Commerce Cabinet
Unbridled Spirit Gift Card Sales Soar

(Frankfort, KY) – In just two months, 2,251 Kentucky Unbridled Spirit gift cards have been sold worth $121,110.96. Those totals more then double figures from the same two month time period in 2005 ($45,578 in sales) and exceed the total revenue for all of 2005 ($112,527 in sales).

“We knew the multi-agency gift card would be popular,” said Commerce Cabinet Secretary George Ward. “My expectations were to more than double last years results by adding 3 more venues for purchase and redemption, and by promoting the card in a similar fashion to that used by private retailers and restaurants. Heavy promotion during the holiday shopping season and people’s desire to give the gift of Kentucky have really helped sales.”

In 2005 when the gift card was good only at Kentucky State Parks, sales totaled $112,527 for the entire year. The Kentucky Unbridled Spirit gift card was launched on October 11, 2006. During the same two month time frame in 2005, $45,578 worth of gift cards were sold.

Parks switched over to gift cards in 2005 from (paper) gift certificates that were used in 2004. Parks sold $22,924 worth of paper gift certificates in the comparable two month time period 2004 (October 11 – December 11); nearly a five fold increase in two years.

The Kentucky Unbridled Spirit gift card is good at the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea, the Kentucky Horse Park, the Kentucky Historical Society and its museum store as well as all Kentucky state parks. The card never expires and never charges you a fee to use it, reload it or spend it. Cards can be purchased in person, on line or over the phone. They can be for any denomination $10 or higher or a pre-loaded amount when bought on line.

“The card allows the buyer the flexibility to make one purchase and use it for golf, dining or an overnight stay at a state park, admission to the Center for Kentucky History or the Horse Park or choose one of 4,000 different items from more then 650 artisans who sell their work at the Artisan Center in Berea,” said Sarah McCann, gift card coordinator for the Commerce Cabinet.

Nationwide, surveys show that gift cards are gaining in popularity. An anticipated $24 billion worth of gift cards will be sold during the 2006 holiday shopping season. Last year, more then $18 billion was spent on gift cards during the 2005 holiday season, that is up from $17 billion in 2004. A recent survey showed that about 75.5% of people planned on buying some sort of gift card for the holiday season last year.

Unbridled Spirit Gift Cards can be purchased at the Kentucky Artisans Center at Berea, the Kentucky Horse Park, the Kentucky Historical Society and its museum store as well as Kentucky state parks. Or by calling 1-800-255-PARK or by going online at www.kyunbridledspirit.com.

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