Pictured L-R: Sales Manager Natalie Russell, Executive Chef Matthew DeWalt and Wedding Sales Coordinator Mallori Betz
Spectra, the providers of venue management and food services & hospitality to the Owensboro Convention Center and the Owensboro Sportscenter, is pleased to announce some promotions and to welcome a new member to the Owensboro team.
Natalie Russell has been promoted to sales manager. A graduate of the University of Kentucky, she has been with Spectra since 2015. As the sales and marketing coordinator, she became the event producer for the two largest signature self-promoted expos the Convention Center produces—Kraftucky in November and the Your Perfect Day Wedding Show in January. Her new role will also include booking consumer and tradeshows. She is excited to bring new events to Owensboro and to continue to grow the existing expos.
Executive Chef Matthew Dewalt joins the Owensboro team from another Spectra venue, the Talen Energy Stadium in Chester, Penn. A graduate of the Pennsylvania Institute of Culinary Arts in Pittsburgh, he has more than 18 years of experience, including country clubs, restaurants and the Ritz Carlton. “His menu planning skills, management style, and teaching abilities will be a great asset,” says Spectra Food & Beverage Director Mark Pruett. “We look forward to his ideas, creativeness, and cooking techniques to help elevate the Convention Center and Sportscenter to a higher level.”
Mallori Betz joined the Spectra team as an event manager in July of 2017 and has been promoted to wedding sales coordinator. A graduate of IUPUI, Betz has five years of event experience, most of which has been driven by the wedding industry. She previously worked as a day of wedding doordinator in Indianapolis and says, “It is truly an honor to be part of a couple’s wedding day!”
Western Kentucky’s premier meeting space, the Owensboro Convention Center, is a full-service meeting facility overlooking the scenic Ohio River in revitalized downtown Owensboro, KY. The multi-purpose center boasts just under 102,000 sq.ft. of available space, including a 44,000+ sq.ft. exhibition hall, 8,900+ sq.ft. pier outside over the scenic Ohio River and additional ballroom, meeting and pre-function space. For more info, visit OwensboroCenter.com.
The Sportscenter, one of Owensboro’s most historic buildings, opened in 1949. It is a multi-purpose, 5,000-seat arena that hosts graduations, concerts, sporting events, tradeshows, meetings and receptions. The Owensboro Sportscenter is home to the Kentucky Thoroughbreds of the NAPB, Division II Kentucky Wesleyan College Panthers Men’s and Women’s Basketball of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference and the Owensboro Catholic High School Aces basketball team. For more info, visit OwensboroSportscenter.com.
Spectra is an industry leader in hosting and entertainment, partnering with clients to create memorable experiences for millions of visitors every year. Spectra’s unmatched blend of integrated services delivers incremental value for clients through several primary areas of expertise: venue management, food services & hospitality, and partnerships. For more info, visit SpectraExperiences.com.
