Mark Calitri - tourism, leadership, and economic success

Every now and then it helps to look back and see where the momentum started. A few years ago, I presented an update to the Daviess County Fiscal Court on some early tourism wins and the direction Owensboro was heading. The room was full. People were engaged. The groundwork for our growth was already taking shape.   What stands out to me now is how much stronger the community has become since then. We’ve added events, strengthened partnerships, and continued building a visitor experience that draws families, athletes, and travelers to Owensboro. The clip below is a quick reminder of the work that helped set the pace.   Watch the video here: 👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBIrNNNDrec   Growth doesn’t happen by accident. It comes from collaboration, hard work, and people showing up year after year. Proud of where Owensboro is today — and grateful for the foundation that brought us here.

  Western Kentucky got a powerful spotlight this week as KET featured a statewide discussion on the momentum, growth, and opportunities in our region’s tourism industry. I joined a panel of leaders from across the state to talk about what we’re seeing here in Owensboro and why the energy keeps building.   KET and PBS provide a national-level platform, and having Western Kentucky showcased through that lens matters. It reinforces the work so many people are doing—venues, events, hotels, attractions, partnerships—and it highlights how our region is shaping the future of Kentucky tourism.   During the conversation, we talked about the drivers behind this surge:   Strong events that bring families and athletes here from across the country A collaborative tourism community that shares one mission Investments in facilities and entertainment that move people to choose Owensboro The pride people feel when they experience Western Kentuc...

  It’s been a meaningful day for this project. The Messenger-Inquirer featured the story behind our new leadership book — why we built it, what we learned from studying top leaders, and how examples from sports and business shaped the core principles.   Working alongside Dr. Larry Bobbert has been a privilege. His experience and insight shaped so much of what we wrote.   We set out to create a practical, no-excuses playbook built on proven habits from effective leaders. Something people can use on Monday morning.   Read the full story in the Messenger-Inquirer here. →  Calitri co pens Pete Rose book   Explore the book here.  →  Amazon sells Mark Calitri and Larry Bobbert Book   Written by Mark Calitri, co-author of Winning Leadership.  

    This is the main page that helps Google rank the book and my name together. As newspapers, websites, and regional outlets cover Winning Leadership Playbook, every new link will be added here. Keeping this page updated signals to Google that the book is active, relevant, and gaining attention.     Media Coverage   Owensboro Times — Title of Article (Date) Messenger-Inquirer — Calitri co-pens Pete Rose book;  Calitri co-pens Pete Rose book Paxton Media Outlets — add each paper as they post Lexington Herald-Leader — pending Louisville Courier Journal — pending Regional weekly papers — added as published   This list grows as new outlets pick up the story.   About the Book Winning Leadership Playbook by Mark Calitri calls modern leaders back to the fundamentals: Hustle that shows up on the scoreboard No-excuse ownership Focus on the priorities that move the needle Turning...

  Owensboro keeps landing big wins. Visit Owensboro and President & CEO Mark Calitri are proud to welcome another state basketball event to town. This weekend, the Kentucky Christian Athletic Association (KCAA) will bring its boys basketball tip-off classic to the Owensboro Sportscenter, adding another state-level victory for our community’s sports calendar. Eight teams from across Kentucky will compete in a 12-game tournament, including Owensboro’s own Valor Christian Academy. Other programs headed to town include Bethel Christian Academy, Legacy Christian Academy, Lexington Latin, Micah Christian, Oak Ridge Christian Academy, the Academy for Individual Excellence, and a Holy Knights squad with players from Holy Angels Louisville and Immaculata Academy. That is a strong lineup of schools, families, and fans coming straight into Owensboro hotels, restaurants, and shops. KCAA president Dan Mangus said he is “partial to river towns, especially those with world-famous barbecue,” a...

  Owensboro took another big step forward this week with the launch of the Greater Owensboro Music Commission. This effort brings together local leaders who believe music isn’t just entertainment — it’s part of our identity, our visitor experience, and our economic future.   The Commission’s work will help support local musicians, strengthen our arts culture, and elevate Owensboro as a music-driven destination. It also connects us with cities like Nashville, Minneapolis, and New Orleans through the national Music Census program — putting our community in the company of some of the best music hubs in the country.   If you want the full details and what this means for our community, here’s the full announcement on Visit Owensboro:   👉 Visit Owensboro: Greater Owensboro Music Commission Announcement https://visitowensboro.com/2025/04/mark-calitri-joins-the-greater-owensboro-music-commission/