Craft Marketing Program
Southeast Tourism Society Selects Kentucky Crafted: The Market As A Top 20 Event

For the 12th time in 13 years, the Southeast Tourism Society (STS) has selected Kentucky Crafted: The Market as one of the Top Twenty Events In The Southeast. The Atlanta-based society has always recognized the many unique and diverse events in the southeastern region and selects 20 of the top events for each month and publishes them quarterly to over 300 newspapers, magazines, radio and TV stations, as well as 125 AAA publications. STS plays a key role in promoting and developing tourism in its member states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

March 3-4, 2007 will mark the 25^th Anniversary of Kentucky Crafted: The Market and will again be held in Louisville at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center, South Wing B. During this historic anniversary show shoppers can expect 300 exhibitors of fine traditional, folk and contemporary crafts, two-dimensional visual art, musical recordings, books, and food products. Cultural entertainment and children’s craft activities (ages 4-12) will again be included.

New for the 2007 Market will be a special, “walk through the Market history,” retrospective exhibit where visitors will be able to view archival photos and facts about the origins and growth of the Market.

This premier marketing event for the state is produced by The Kentucky Craft Marketing Program (KCMP), a division of the Kentucky Arts Council, and is the nation's first, and remains one of the very few, state-sponsored wholesale events of its kind in the country. The Market is a collaborative effort among several state agencies and cabinets, which promote Kentucky’s rich cultural heritage while supporting the state’s economy and generates 2 to 3 million dollars in direct sales. Kentucky’s craft industry contributes 252 million dollars to the state’s economy.  An additional impact of 147 million dollars is realized through sales made outside of Kentucky.

“Southeast Tourism Society has established itself as a leader among other travel organizations nationwide. The recognition and additional marketing support STS gives the Market makes it possible to reach new and expanded audiences we could normally not afford. We are so very honored to receive this award,” says Fran Redmon, Director, Kentucky Craft Marketing Program.

The Kentucky Craft Marketing Program is a division of the Kentucky Arts Council, Commerce Cabinet, Commonwealth of Kentucky.  For more information, call 888-KY CRAFT (592-7238); or visit the Program's site at www.kycraft.ky.gov. For more information on the Southeast Tourism Society’s Top Twenty Events, visit http://www.southeasttourism.org/top_20_events.html

###

Since 1981, the Craft Marketing Program's mission is to develop the state's craft industry, support and empower Kentucky artisans and craftspeople, create an economically viable environment for craft entrepreneurs, preserve the state's craft traditions, stimulate and support product development, and generate public awareness, public support and public/private partnerships.

The Program provides assistance to Kentucky residents, individuals, or groups wanting to develop as craft professionals through economic opportunities and training, to other outside entities (e.g., craft retailers, craft and art organizations, community and government agencies), and the general public. The craft industry in Kentucky contributes 252 million dollars in annual sales and Kentucky is recognized as a model state for its craft programs and its role in the $14 billion national craft industry.