Where the "Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports" Happens
In continuing with my "March Madness" spirit of featuring sports venues this month, I thought I would cover Churchill Downs - home of the Kentucky Derby! It's held every year on the first Saturday of May. Tickets to watch this race can skyrocket to thousands of dollars and betting on a winning horse can be just as lucrative. I've attended the Derby only once and with a friend of mine. I'm not a betting woman but my friend is, and she won betting on George Steinbrenner's horse (did I mention she was a die-hard Yankees fan?). From the Derby outfits to the Mint Julips, Derby Day is the toast of Louisville and we were happy to be a part of it.
Last year I held a meeting in Louisville that required an offsite venue for an executive reception. Churchill Downs seemed like the obvious choice to everyone except me (because it had been such a long time since that Derby Day of mine). Attending an event at a venue as a spectator versus a venue locator can bring to light two very different perspectives that may or may not compliment each other. When I find myself in any venue, I always ask myself, "Is this feasible realistically and logistically for an event?"
Being on the grounds of the home of the Kentucky Derby had such a prestigious appeal to my executives (and to me too) as spectators. However, I was not familiar with the venue as an event space. When I had the opportunity to check it out, I visited both the Kentucky Derby Museum as well as Churchill Downs' Triple Crown Room. A far cry from the stadium seats!
Barbaro was an American Thoroughbred racehorse who decisively won the 2006 Kentucky Derby, but shattered his leg two weeks later in the 2006 Preakness Stakes, which ended his racing career and eventually led to his death. - Wikipedia
Kentucky Derby Museum
I loved the idea of holding my event in the Museum because my group would have access to the exhibits, showcasing past Derby winners, jockey outfits, and a whole lot of horse-racing history. I was particularly fascinated with the gates (that kept the horses at bay before the start of race and then flashed open). The museum features a simulator where one could feel like a jockey and race in the Derby. In the central, oval room there is a 360 degree screen to use for presentations or videos. Guides are also available for hire to answer questions about the Derby, the Oaks and Churchill Downs. The museum would have been ideal because it offered my guests different activities to learn about this infamous racing experience. Unfortunately, the museum was already booked by another group. Luckily, the museum is not the only event space on site.
Triple Crown Room
The Triple Crown room is located to the right of the Derby Museum and in the stadium building. It's a space that has, in my opinion, the best views of the racetrack. In fact, some of the suites are accessible going towards the Triple Crown Room. We took an elevator to the fifth floor, where the doors open to a lounge with an outdoor patio. From there, one can see the spires, racetrack, and a jumbo screen (which can display company logos during a private event). Catering is handled by Levy Restaurants (and their catering was excellent!!!). On the fifth floor is a set of escalators leading one level up to the loft of the room where we held the programming part of my event. Here, we set up the room in theater-style. AV is available as well as a podium and riser. While on this level, my guests took a peek at the different suites with views of the track.
Tour of the Track
To entertain our guests, we hired a docent to do 30 minute tours for 20 people at a time during the reception. He would talk about the history (and gossip) of Churchill Downs as he walked everyone to the track for photo ops - especially of the iconic Twin Spires. My group found this tour very informative and engaging - mostly due the docent's passion for the sport. I booked this guide through the Kentucky Derby Museum.
Oh by the way, if you really want to impress your group, hire Steve Buttleman. Who?
Trust me, you'll want him for your event. For almost 22 year now, Steve Buttleman has been the official bugler for Churchill Downs. That Call to Post bit that you hear at every Derby race? That's him. For my event, I asked him to play the call as everyone got off the shuttle. And boy did he deliver! He played his bugle all gussied up in his red coat and riding hat. Everyone was so surprised and impressed by him that they wanted photos and videos of him and with him! He stayed throughout my event to answer questions about his experience working at Churchill Downs and also performed his rendition of My Old Kentucky Home.
Well, you know me. I had to get my photo op with Mr. Buttleman too!
There's no doubt in my mind now that Churchill Downs is a great event space for a sophisticated yet fun event. My guests told me they enjoyed the event because of the fantastic landmark, the tours and entertainment, and the wonderful catering by Levy Restaurants. If you have an opportunity to tour Churchill Downs, do not pass it up!
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~T~
