Kentucky Venues Launches Smart, Accessible Vending Program Showcasing Local Products

New, multilingual, and accessible machines enhance guest experience and unlock new offerings and data insights.

Kentucky Venues is elevating the guest experience with a next-generation vending program at the Kentucky Exposition Center and Kentucky International Convention Center. The newly deployed, American-assembled Envision IQ machines are delivering bigger value, broader accessibility, and more local flavor to millions of annual visitors. 

Developed in collaboration with Louisville-based Pap’s Jerky, the new units offer family-size products, curated Kentucky-made goods, and combo options that go far beyond traditional single-serve vending. Featuring a 49-inch interactive touchscreen, the machines provide an intuitive, multilingual shopping experience that guests can interact with during events, as well as pre- and post-event days when concessions may be limited. 

“These machines enhance how we serve guests while strengthening Kentucky Venues’ commitment to innovation,” said David S. Beck, President & CEO of Kentucky Venues. “They give visitors access to high-quality local products, create new opportunities for partners and sponsors, and provide valuable data insights to continue improving our facilities and guest experience and services.” 

Built for Modern Events: Accessible, Sustainable, and Smart 

The new vending units are designed for today’s convention environment, featuring fully accessible purchasing from a lower touch-screen interface, energy-efficient operating modes, and multilingual product displays that support international attendees. 

A New Digital Asset for Event Organizers 

Each machine functions as a campus-wide digital signage display, providing event managers and sponsors a new place to promote programming, deliver venue messaging, push emergency alerts, and showcase branded content. 

Real-Time Insights for Smarter Operations 

With built-in analytics that track foot-traffic patterns, trending products, dwell time, and purchasing behavior, the system provides event organizers and Kentucky Venues with actionable data to enhance planning and improve the guest experience during the ongoing campus transformation. 

Showcasing Kentucky Products 

The machines debut with a lineup of local favorites, including Kentucky Venues Snack Mix, Pap’s Jerky, Kizito Cookies, and Bourbon Barrel Foods, and have capacity for large multi-spiral items, maximizing value for families, exhibitors, and event organizers.