Louisville CVB Releases 360-degree Tourism Video Series
June 27, 2017
The Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau is leveraging immersive virtual reality technology to attract more business and leisure visitors to the Derby City by launching its first-ever 360-degree VR video series.
Featuring one-of-a-kind augmented reality graphics and a unique take on the 360-degree viewing experience, three films comprise the series:
Uniquely Fresh: Louisville’s Culinary Scene – Showcases Louisville’s farm-to-table culinary scene and features 10 local culinary experiences including 8UP; Crescent Hill Craft House; Harvest; Jack Fry’s; Mike Linnigs; Monnik; Proof on Main; The Table; the Village Anchor and Woodland Farms.
Uniquely Fun: A Taste of Louisville Attractions – A fully immersive experience at some of the city’s unique attractions including the Kentucky Derby Museum; Muhammad Ali Center; Louisville Orchestra and the Kentucky Center for the Arts; Speed Art Museum; Kentucky Kingdom and Hurricane Bay, and the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory.
Uniquely Spirited: Bourbon, Brandy, and the Urban Experience – Features four spirited experiences with a focus on the individuals behind the scenes. The four locations highlighted include Evan Williams Bourbon Experience; Kentucky Peerless Distillery; Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience at Stitzel-Weller, and Copper & Kings American Brandy Company.
“Video is so much more than just great shots, it’s about a story,” explained Zack Davis, LCVB director of marketing.
He added, “Louisville has such an authentic story to tell and VR has been able to convey the experience unlike anything we’ve seen before. We feel it will leave a lasting impression on potential visitors to the city.”
Local video agency Videobred partnered with the LCVB to produce the films.
“The LCVB embraced VR over a year ago, before it was the trendy thing to do,” said Jamie Pence, Videobred president and owner who was also served as the project’s editor.
He continued, “They were one of the very first clients in this region that understood the potential impact and storytelling capabilities of VR. They recognized the value of what VR could bring to the table and how it would engage their audience. Standing out from the other noise is important and VR is helping them separate themselves from the crowd by garnering national attention.”
That attention was drawn to the Uniquely Fresh: Louisville’s Culinary Scene video, which was awarded the Samsung VR Creator Gold Award, as well as a Silver Telly Award, the highest honor given by the Telly Awards, which honor the best in TV and cable, digital and streaming, and non-broadcast productions.
The LCVB has plans to work on additional VR films to highlight more of the city’s myriad attractions, restaurants and experiences.
While VR goggles and headphones provide the richest viewing experience, the 360 videos can also be viewed from a mobile device or desktop computer. Check out LCVB’s YouTube VR playlist here.
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.
MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.
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