02/23/2026
We are proud to celebrate a key moment in construction with the topping out ceremony for the new 350,000 square foot multi-purpose facility at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Last Friday, project partners, along with state and local officials, gathered to sign one of the final structural beams before it gets raised into place, marking significant progress on Phase I of the center’s historic expansion and renovation. The project relied on early-release structural packages (a.k.a. fast track design) to keep the project on schedule, and it is gratifying to see that fast-paced building er****on has followed suit!
This transformative project will bring enhanced event space capable of hosting trade shows, livestock exhibitions, equine competitions, sports tournaments, and more. Once complete, the expanded Expo Center will be one of the largest facilities of its kind in the country.
Fun facts:
1) KEC ranked as the #1 busiest convention centers in the US for 2024-2025.
2) KEC hosts 260+ events each year, generating an estimated $437 million in economic impact.
3) All 120 State counties are represented by participants in annual events.
We are so grateful to work alongside this project team:
Construction Manager: Calhoun Construction Services
Design Team: Schmidt Associates, HKS Architects, CMTA, Walter P Moore, CARMAN, GH2 Equine Architects, SDI, HDR, and Robert Pass and Associates.
Article🔗: kyvenues.com/media/kentucky-exposition-center-reaches-construction-milestone