Who Says Learning can’t be Fun?

We all know that the main purpose of attending the convention is to learn and network. But nobody ever said that having a little fun wasn’t part of the equation. Before we tell you about the Electric Expo 2011 or the education sessions, let’s talk about some other ways to get the most out of your convention experience.

Kentucky Bourbon Trail Tours

As part of the convention, IEC is putting together a tour of Kentucky’s two most famous distilleries: Maker’s Mark® and Jim Beam®. If you enjoy a mint julep, or bourbon straight-up, then you may want to look into registering for this tour.

The tour will take place on Monday, October 10, with buses departing the host hotel at 8:30 a.m. From there, guests will be taken to the famous Maker’s Mark® Distillery for a tour and tasting. The Maker’s Mark Distillery is an important part of Kentucky heritage. It was originally built in 1805, but eventually had to shut down due to Prohibition. Beginning in 1933, America was coming out of Prohibition and the founders of Maker’s Mark® believed it was the perfect time to re-open their distillery. The business wasn’t always an instant success; in fact, it went through many highs and lows including being bought out, trying new formulas, and experiencing the normal ups and downs of running a business. It wasn’t until the late 1950’s that Maker’s Mark® became what it is today. Once on campus, not only will you have a chance to walk through the gardens, tour the many buildings, and see rows upon rows of barrels filled with bourbon, but guests will get to sample various recipes.

After a few rounds of bourbon tasting, guests will then go to lunch in famous Bardstown. Being the second oldest city in the state, Bardstown has its charm and guests will enjoy the home-style cooking of local restaurants and the southern hospitality.

The last stop of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Tour will be the Jim Beam® Distillery. This distillery is the largest in the world and houses the actual home of Jim Beam himself. After touring the idyllic Kentucky grounds, step instead for a brief history lesson in the Stillhouse Exhibit. Guests will then be taken to the oldest rack house on the grounds. If the sweet, warm smell of bourbon is too delicious, don’t worry because there will be a tasting here as well. In the tasting room, you’ll be able to sample a variety of Jim Beam’s® small batch bourbons. 

Once guests have gotten their fill of the famous Kentucky liquor, it’s back on the buses and a return to the hotel around 4:30 p.m., which is just in time for happy hour…or a nap. 

LiveWires’ Spouse/Guest Tour

If you are a spouse or guest of an attendee who is looking for a little adventure during the convention, then IEC has something lined up for you. On Friday, October 14, join the IEC LiveWires for a tour of the famous Churchill Downs, shopping, and lunch. Before Churchill Downs, the group will get to see a short movie on Kentucky heritage and culture at the Kentucky Center for the Arts. Then the tour will continue to the beautiful grounds of the Churchill Downs, the site of the Kentucky Derby. You will be able to see the beautiful rose gardens, white stables, large race track, and of course the main feature…the horses!

Once the tour is finished, guests will be taken to lunch at the Wild Eggs Restaurant, which is consistently voted as having the best breakfast and lunch in the city. After filling up on your favorite egg dish, it will be time to pull out the pocket books and begin shopping in Louisville’s Westport Village. This outdoor shopping complex features mostly artistic and eclectic shops such as Les Filles Boutique featuring custom-made accessories; Amazing Green Planet, which is a store filled with 100 percent sustainable and recyclable materials; Croquis Boutique, a women’s apparel store; and more. Guests will return to the hotel at 3:00 p.m., just in time to get ready for the President’s Reception & Awards Gala.  

The Official Convention Video is Here!

IEC National has been giving you reasons on why you should register today for the IEC National Convention. Perhaps you should hear straight from the proverbial "horse’s mouth" on why you should attend.

Watch the brief convention video to hear testimonials from past attendees on how the IEC National Convention & Electric Expo benefited their business and advanced their careers.

For more videos relating to IEC and the convention, check out the IEC Youtube Channel, DoElectrical. 

Welcome to Bourbon Country!

Image from wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisvile

We’d like to introduce you to the convention’s host city, Louisville, or should we say “Looavull.” Nestled on the Ohio River, it is the Bluegrass state’s largest city. With famous attractions, great food, and a vibrant nightlife, this city is a great location for attendees and their families! Our host hotel, Louisville Marriott Downtown, is just steps away from some of the fun things to see and do in “Kentuckiana.”

Attractions:

Photo courtesy of Greater
Louisville Convention &
Visitors Bureau and gotolouisville.com.

Churchill Downs
Many people know of Louisville for one reason: the Kentucky Derby. Part of the Triple Crown, every year thousands of visitors from around the country flock to Churchill Downs in large hats and mint juleps in hand. No visit to Kentucky would be complete without a glimpse of the white stables or thoroughbred horses. Churchill Downs offers tours throughout the year. The LiveWires will have their annual spouse/guest tour at this venue on October 14, 2011. If you are a spouse or guest, click here for more information. If you are not a member of the LiveWires, but still wish to take a tour of this famous location, visit www.churchilldowns.com.

Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory
Any baseball aficionado, or Carrie Underwood fan, is familiar with the baseball bat of choice…the Louisville Slugger.  Walk through the museum and gain an education on the roll that these bats played not just in baseball, but pop-culture. Tours also include a batting cage where guests try out different bats, a gallery of bats used by baseball legends Babe Ruth and Joe DiMaggio, and more. Want to see how Louisville Sluggers are made? Walk though the factory and watch these baseball bats being hand-crafted. For more information on tours, visit www.sluggermuseum.org.

Muhammad Ali Center
If you’re a fan of World Heavyweight Champion Muhammad Ali, then this museum is for you. Located in Ali’s hometown, this museum will take you on a tour of Ali’s epic life. For more information, visit www.alicenter.org.

Nightlife:

The Urban Bourbon Trail
Kentucky is the home of bourbon, and Louisville is home of the famous Urban Bourbon Trail. After convention events have ended, take to the streets of downtown Louisville and taste different bourbons at the city’s best bourbon bars. If you wish to visit all nine bars on the “trail,” be sure to pick up the Urban Bourbon Trail Passport and get it stamped at each bar. Once the passport is complete, take it to any visitors’ center to get a free tee-shirt and a prize! For more information, visit www.justaddbourbon.com.

Photo courtesy of Greater
Louisville Convention &
Visitors Bureau and gotolouisville.com.

Fourth Street Live
This location has everything: fine dining, shopping, and live entertainment! Live shows are scheduled almost every day of the week, so whether you want to see improv comedy, Irish dancing, or a band, this is the place to gather. For more information, visit www.4thstlive.com.

Good Eats:

Lynn’s Paradise Café
This wacky-looking restaurant is a favorite haunt of native Louisvillans. Featured on the Today Show, and Throwdown with Bobby Flay, the colorful interior is a working piece of art designed by the community. But that’s not what draws people to this restaurant; it’s the down-home style comfort food that attracts people. Fan favorites include buttermilk biscuits with gravy, giant pancakes, and mom’s meatloaf.  For more information, visit www.lynnsparadisecafe.com.

Image from wikipedia.org/wiki/hot_brown

Brown Hotel
If fine dining is more your taste, then be sure to make reservations at this historic hotel restaurant. The restaurant is the birthplace of the Kentucky Hot Brown, which is an open-face turkey sandwich smothered in cheese, bacon, and mornay sauce. A staple of Louisville food, you shouldn’t leave the city without sampling this dish. For more information, visit www.brownhotel.com/the-english-grill.htm.  

Your Blueprint to Success…the IEC National Convention

If you are familiar with the Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC), then you are well aware the IEC National Convention is the premier event for the electrical contracting community. If you are unfamiliar with either the IEC or the annual national convention, visit the IEC National website for more details.

This year’s convention will take place October 11-14 in Louisville, Kentucky, at the Kentucky International Convention Center and the Marriott Louisville Downtown. We are excited for all the educational and networking opportunities, fun events, and new ideas we have in store for you.

Throughout the summer and fall, we will be posting more exciting and pertinent information about the upcoming convention, but for our inaugural post, here are some quick reasons why you should attend:

• Educational Sessions. Learn about the latest developments in the electrical industry, management practices, and more by attending our informative educational sessions. Sessions will be offered on a range of topics that will help advance both your business and your career.
• IEC Electric Expo 2011. Network with the top manufacturers and service providers to stay informed about the newest innovations and latest products in the electrical industry.
• Events.  Connect with other peers in your industry to share best practices at any of the convention’s fun and exciting networking events, such as the Platinum Partner Party.
• Louisville. Enjoy all that Louisville and the local chapter, IECA of Kentucky and Southern Indiana, have to offer! Louisville is home to many fun and exciting attractions including the Urban Bourbon Trail, the Louisville Slugger Museum, and the famous Churchill Downs…the idyllic setting for the Kentucky Derby.

Registration is easy. For more information on deadlines, registration types, and how to register, click here.  We look forward to seeing you in Louisville!

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