In April, 11,000 young folks are coming to Louisville for a national convention of DECA, which describes itself as an "international association of high school and college students studying marketing, management and entrepreneurship in business, finance, hospitality and marketing sales and service."
The first order of business was to be an opening party set for Kentucky Kingdom. With the facility closing, organizers are stuck trying to find a suitable, entertaining venue to host the event.
That's just one example of the ripple effect the closing of the amusement park will have on the city. There's the thousands of summer jobs lost, the hotel rooms that won't be sold, the potential loss of groups like DECA.
Consider that marketing materials, including videos, brochures and even the traveling bus being used by city boosters including mention of used by every local tourism attraction includes photos and/or details of the park.
"We're very concerned about the spin-off of this, because it will have a Significant ripple impact on the city because of the number of visitors it brings," said Mayoral spokesman Chris Poynter.
He said the city's other tourist attractions, some of which feed off visitors to Six Flags, are concerned about the closure on their own businesses.
This morning, the Mayor tried to make sense of it all, explaining that he had met with Six Flags CEO Mark Shapiro and Fair Board President Harold Workman, and believed a plan was being put in place to keep the park open.
Poynter explained: "We were utterly shocked last night. Two days ago, the Mayor spoke with Shapiro and with Workman and it was our understanding a deal was being negotiated that would reduce their lease payment, would allow them time to make Kentucky Kingdom profitable once again and emerge as a stronger Louisville company.
"Somewhere in the last two days, the negotiations broke down."
Poynter compared the situation with that of the Tumbleweed restaurant chain, which he says came to the city seeking a break on its Waterfront Park lease payment to help the company stay afloat. The city worked with the company and the restaurant remains open on the Waterfront.
i used to work there and they hav only at this time dismantled chang. but as time goes on they are goin to dismantle all of the rides and send them to other six flags parks.
My son was soo mad when they took Chang down. That was the best ride. Hopefully the Fair Board and Six Flags can work something out. I doubt they will tho.
In April, 11,000 young folks are coming to Louisville for a national convention of DECA, which describes itself as an "international association of high school and college students studying marketing, management and entrepreneurship in business, finance, hospitality and marketing sales and service."
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Rick Redding