Kentucky Society of Washington, D.C.
I am with US Representative from Kentucky Ben Chandler, discussing his role at the Henry Clay dinner honoring Ernie Allen of the National Center Missing & Exploited Children. These dinners honors those Kentuckians who have made a national contribution while living in DC.
The Society puts on three major events: PreDerby Party, the Henry Clay Dinner and the Bluegrass Inaugural Ball.
Since I had worked with the media in both DC and Kentucky, I was able to expand (or in some cases contain), media coverage for the Society, resulting in top media coverage, both statewide and national.
2009 Bluegrass Inaugural Ball, January 19, 2009
The Bluegrass Ball, sponsored by the Kentucky Society of Washington DC, is the first of the quadrennial black-tie celebrations of the presidential inauguration and sets the standard for the 2009 inaugural ball season. Over 1400 people attended, with more than 75% of the guests coming from Kentucky.
With Muhammad Ali’s birthday being two days prior, a closed reception was held along with a special public presentation by Ashley Judd.
Media requests to attend came from all over country with most of the Kentucky TV stations going live and doing packages. The Tonight Show with Jay Leno did a package with Mo Rocca.
Because of the probably of the incoming President wanting to attend this event, along with the high level of federal and state government officials and the celebrities associated with Ali, I formed and oversaw a team of 20 people to oversee media credentials and to monitor media requests and interviews.
Since the Ali reception was closed to the media, I hired a special photographer so that photos could be provided to the news media.
Besides saturated Kentucky media coverage, this event also garnered national coverage on traditional and social media.
Steve Buttleman, official bugler of Churchill Downs
Steven L. Beshear, Governor of Kentucky
Charlie Grizzle, past president, Kentucky Society
Ben Chandler, US Representative Kentucky
Leading the 1500 guests at the Kentucky Bluegrass Ball in singing the state song, “My Old Kentucky Home”.
Two portraits by Simon Bull of Muhammad Ali with President Barack Obama was presented to Ali at the Bluegrass Ball. These paintings depict cherished American icons Muhammad Ali and Barack Obama in double portraits that challenge us to consider the two men’s relationship, their roles as extraordinary leaders, and the great affection the American people hold for them both. The paintings were commissioned by the Muhammad Ali Center and donated by Ira Shore, President and C.E.O. of Fine Art Management Corporation, as gifts to the new president on the occasion of his inauguration
Anne-Marie Kelley, Chair, Bluegrass Ball
Ashley Judd
Muhammad Ali
Lonnie Ali, wife of Muhammad Ali
Steven L. Beshear, Governor of Kentucky
Bill Samuels Jr., President and CEO of Maker’s Mark, is interviewed by Mo Rocca, Tonight Show with Jay Leno.