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.

Add new comment

Partner Voices
One of the most iconic names on the Las Vegas Strip just got an upgrade. Mandalay Bay has everything that your business needs from a refreshed convention space designed to inspire productivity and creativity, to an impressive selection of world-class restaurants and amenities. If you're looking for a venue that's both inviting and innovative, you have to be here. New Wave Experiences Mandalay Bay continues to invest in a new wave of enhancements both in the convention space and within the resort as a whole. New restaurant openings including Orla by Michael Mina, drawing inspiration from the award-winning chef’s childhood in Egypt and with flavors and décor inspired by the spices found in markets common to coastal Mediterranean towns, as well as Caramá by Wolfgang Puck, bringing the essence of Italy and spirit of Wolfgang into one concept, are recent additions. The Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas also experienced a recent remodel of all 424 rooms. Swingers, a high-end, adults-only golf and entertainment concept will debut in Fall 2024. Enhanced Technology Creating a truly effective conference venue requires careful thought into what a business needs: the right technology, capacity, and inspiration to bring ideas to the next level. As part of the resort’s refresh, Mandalay Bay implemented state-of-the-art technology upgrades, installing cutting-edge Cat6A Ethernet cabling throughout the convention center. This advancement doubles the frequency of data transmission, enabling lightning-fast speeds up to 9400% faster. The convention center now boasts 11 dynamic digital walls, spanning up to 24' x 13', strategically positioned for brand placements, sponsorships and targeted event messaging. Additionally, attendees can benefit from 20 double-sided 55" mobile flexible display units, facilitating effortless navigation to meeting rooms and events. RFID locks were installed on all meeting room doors, and over 200 motion detection cameras have been placed throughout the space. Refreshing New Design & Fine Art The newly remodeled convention space provides a bright and vibrant atmosphere that complements Mandalay Bay's tropical-inspired brand. Featuring white-washed walls and ceilings adorned with bold floral patterns in cerulean and coral tones, the space is complemented by warm walnut accent walls. In addition to the redesign of all pre-function spaces, meeting rooms and ballrooms, Mandalay Bay's 1 million square feet of exhibit space has undergone a rejuvenation, including new paint, covered pillars and relocated strobe lights. Sustainable Spectacles Mandalay Bay is committed to Focused on What Matters and creating more responsible meetings. Refillable water stations all available around the resort, cutting unnecessary plastic usage from single-use bottles. The Mandalay Bay campus’ recent upgrades represent a bold step forward in redefining the Las Vegas experience. With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and unparalleled service, Mandalay Bay sets a new standard for excellence in business hospitality. Whether you're seeking cutting-edge conference facilities, world-class dining options, or simply a luxurious retreat, an unparalleled meeting experience awaits.