Mission

The mission of ETCB is to promote the economic growth of Elizabethtown by attracting conventions, meetings, sporting events and visitors to the area through effective marketing of our services.

 Our Objectives:

  • To increase business to every establishment which directly or indirectly services the conventioneer and/or the traveling public.
  • To encourage those serving the traveling public to always render a high standard of performance.
  • To provide leadership and/or seek funding to involve those establishments serving the traveling public in projects and programs which enhance and advance our community and simultaneously to provide for expansion of tourist and convention business in Elizabethtown.
  • To extend the hand of welcome to all visitors and visitor prospects in keeping with the highest traditions of hospitality expected of our area, and in keeping with fair and honest business practices.
  • To create and project a positive image for tourism and the convention industry within the local community.

ETCB History

The Elizabethtown Tourism and Convention Bureau was created in 1976 by the City of Elizabethtown through an ordinance enacting a local transient room tax for all hotel and motel properties located inside city limits.

Over the next couple of decades the Tourism Commission office location varied from one building to the next in downtown Elizabethtown, even sharing office space with the Hardin County/Elizabethtown Chamber of Commerce at one point.

Understanding the need to welcome tourists and provide them with information as they come into Elizabethtown, the Tourism Commission began seeking the best available location in order to reach out to as many visitors as possible.

Through visionary planning and hard work, the Tourism Commission Board was able to purchase land close to ramp 94 off I- 65 in order to build what is now the permanent home of the Tourism and Convention Bureau. The building’s grand opening was held on June 2, 1998. Not only does the facility welcome thousands of visitors on an annual basis, but also serves the needs of local and state-wide meeting planners.

In 2007 the Bureau requested the Elizabethtown City Council enact a meal tax in order to fund economic development projects. Since that time, the community has seen tremendous growth in visitors, community development and various projects to improve the quality of life in Elizabethtown. 

All Tourism Commissions formed by local ordinance in Kentucky are governed by Kentucky’s Revised Statues as to the appointments to the Commission, purpose and taxing authority.