20 People to Know – Tourism & Hospitality: Corey Thomas
Corey Thomas, senior manager of visitor services, Kentucky Science Center, is one of our 20 People to Know in Tourism/Hospitality. Corey Thomas, a former tourism and hospitality industry worker from Greater Louisville, discusses the city's biggest challenge in attracting both convention and leisure visitors. The biggest issue is a lack of investment in things to do within Greater Louisville. Thomas believes that the city has potential for advancement and growth due to its beautiful and vibrant nature. He also mentioned that he is a fan of art and exhibitions and would like to see similar opportunities in Greater Louisville as well as new leisure activities. Thomas also mentioned his love for the "Jean-Michel Basquiat: King Pleasure" traveling art exhibit in Los Angeles. He has over 60 house plants in his home and used to perform plant comedy skits.
Published : 4 weeks ago by Amy Higgs in Business Travel
Years in current job: less than one
Years in the tourism/hospitality industry: two
What is Greater Louisville’s biggest challenge in attracting both convention and leisure visitors? Its greatest opportunity?
I would say the biggest challenge is the lack of investment in things to do within Greater Louisville. In attracting convention visitors, I think there needs to be more to offer that would persuade them to visit Louisville. This same issue would correlate to leisure visitors as well. Being a born-and-raised Louisvillian, I think it would make a huge impact on the social scene if there were newer things happening in the city, as well as new leisure activities to partake in. Its greatest opportunity, however, would be that Louisville has so much potential for advancement and growth because it is such a beautiful and vibrant city. There just needs to be consistent evolution and constant forward movement.
What’s one thing you’ve seen in another city — a place, an attraction, an installation — that you’d like to see in Greater Louisville?
I am a huge fan of art and exhibitions. On a recent trip to Los Angeles, I was able to visit the “Jean-Michel Basquiat: King Pleasure” traveling art exhibit, which featured various pieces of his work, and you were able to experience elements of his life through the exhibit that was incredibly beautiful. I would love to see similar opportunities in Greater Louisville.
You have a guest in town for one day. Where do you take them/what do you do?
I would gallery hop to Roots 101 and the Speed Art Museum to view some art, to the Muhammad Ali Center, then to Waterfront Park to walk along the incredible view of the Greater Louisville and to experience the greenery that is the waterfront and end the day at Dasha Barbour’s for dinner.
What’s one attraction in Greater Louisville that locals take for granted?
The Belle of Louisville. For me, it holds such great memories, as I grew up riding it every summer during summer camps and school field trips.
What's one thing most people would find surprising to learn about you
I am a plant daddy and have over 60 house plants currently in my home. I used to also do plant comedy skits via social media. I got into plants during the pandemic and have never looked back.