President & CEO - Harold Workman

As President and CEO of the Kentucky State Fair board, Harold Workman has positioned the Kentucky Exposition Center and the Kentucky International Convention Center as top competitors in the convention and trade show industry. Under his leadership, the expo center added 766,500 square feet including 631,500 square feet of Class “A” exhibit space; grew the convention center to 300,000 square feet; and was instrumental in building the KFC Yum! Center in downtown Louisville.

Workman began his career in the early 1970’s with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.  In 1974, he was named General Manger of the North American International Livestock Exposition, which he developed into the world’s largest purebred livestock show.  From 1986, Workman directed all agency -produced events for the Kentucky State Fair Board as Director of Exposition, and served four years as Vice President of Expositions & Operations.  Workman was named to his current position as President & CEO in 1993, and named Executive Director of the Louisville Arena Authority in 2007.

Workman serves on the Louisville Convention & Visitors Commission and is on the Kentucky Derby Museum board of directors. He was named Communicator of the Year by the Bluegrass Chapter of PRSA; inducted to the Saddle and Sirloin Club on the club’s 100th anniversary in 2003; presented the Distinguished Service Award by the Kentucky Association of Electric Cooperatives; and was given the Mangeot-Oaken Award for his service to the tourism and hospitality industry by the Kentucky Travel Industry Association.

Kentucky State Fair Board