Doug Bennett Named Senior Vice-President of Convention Development at the Louisville CVB

Doug Bennett has been appointed senior vice-president of convention development at the Louisville (Kentucky) Convention & Visitors Bureau. Bennett succeeds Jennifer Barnett, who retired after 22 years with the organization.

“Louisville is positioned for phenomenal growth in the convention market with the expansion of the downtown convention center, a growing number of top hotel inventory and new attractions,” said Cleo Battle, executive vice-president of the CVB. “Doug’s extensive background with hotels, destination management and large national tradeshows will help guide our sales effort to drive business to our transforming destination.”

Bennett has worked in the hospitality industry for 32 years, previously serving as director of sales for the central division of Global Experience Specialists (GES) Exposition Services. Prior to working at GES, Bennett was vice-president of sales at the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association and served for eight years as director of sales and marketing for Hyatt Hotels & Resorts.

“I am very excited to join the Louisville team,” Bennett said. “The city’s future is growing as it adds some very important and game-changing assets to its hospitality infrastructure.”