e-Communiqué

August/September 2007

Published exclusively for members of ACCED-I

The Carroll Knicely Conference Center on the campus of Western Kentucky University (WKU) is a full-service facility that offers assistance with event planning, full catering services, state of the art technology, and a full-service support staff whose goal is that every customer should have a great experience. The all-occasion facility creates the perfect environment for all types of educational and social functions, including: corporate events, trainings, meetings, workshops, holiday parties, retirement dinners, weddings, receptions, and rehearsal dinners. The conference center facilitates outreach efforts by partnering with university faculty, departments, and colleges to meet the diverse needs of WKU’s local, regional, and virtual communities in responsive and engaging ways.



Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, one-hour north of Nashville, and known as the "Home of the Corvette." WKU has been an educational leader since its founding in 1906. Conventional meeting facilities and unique venues including historic homes, an amusement park, a restored train depot, and tours of the Lost River Cave are all located within minutes of the institution. WKU's campus crowns a hill overlooking the city of Bowling Green and is proclaimed as one of the most beautiful in the nation – thus they proudly call themselves the “Hilltoppers.”

Western grew in distinction with each decade. The institution changed locations, acquired other schools, and became a teacher's college by 1922. In 1948, Western was elevated to Western Kentucky State College by the Kentucky General Assembly. Acquiring Bowling Green Business University, Western achieved university status in 1966.

In 1994, the Institute for Economic Development (IED) moved to the conference center and became a continuing education facility for the university. The conference center began as a lobby, theatre, offices for IED, and a couple of classrooms utilized by the university. In 1996, the facility expanded with the opening of the board room, as well as a large, multi-function conference room and additional meeting rooms. This created a more comprehensive venue and opened up facilities and services to the public allowing for the hosting of larger, community-wide events. In August 2000, the building was dedicated and named the Carroll Knicely Conference Center after Mr. Carroll Knicely, due to a large gift he bestowed on WKU. In 2007, the Carroll Knicely Conference Center was honored to receive a monetary gift from a valued long-term client, Ward Elliott, in appreciation for services provided for many years by the Knicely Center. In return, the Board Room will be named the Ann & Ward Elliot Board Room.

The Carroll Knicely Conference Center (CKCC) is a department within the Division of Extended Learning and Outreach (DELO) at WKU. DELO delivers quality credit and non-credit educational opportunities to individuals, organizations, and the public using flexible and accessible formats. DELO reports directly to Academic Affairs.

As a part of WKU, they are an open partner to the City of Bowling Green, to the community, and to other university departments. Customer service and great value are of utmost importance to the entire staff. CKCC offers a 40% discount to university departments who use the facilities. The Carroll Knicely Conference Center continually improves the services offered. This year they will upgrade the facility by installing digital displays throughout the facility that will allow them to professionally welcome clients and add personal messages on the display boards when appropriate.

With a staff of five full-time and one part-time employee, The Carroll Knicely Center averages 1,022 events servicing an average of 39,050 customers each year.

The largest conference/event is the annual job fair hosted by WKU Career Services; 1,000 to 1,200 participants attend the annual job fair. The majority of the attendees are students talking with regional businesses who are looking to enhance their workforce.

The most memorable event held at the Knicely Center was a fundraiser for the Commonwealth Health Free Clinic located in Bowling Green, KY. The Commonwealth Health Free Clinic provides basic medical and dental services to individuals who are in the work force but do not have insurance or any form of social assistance and do not have the means to pay for their healthcare.

The annual “Bridal Fair” has been held at the Carroll Knicely Conference Center for the past six years. It brings an average of 200 brides and their families to the center. These potential clients visit with 60 to 80 vendors showcasing their services – including the Knicely Center, which is available for weddings, receptions, and rehearsal dinners.

In November 2006, the Knicely Center became a certified One-Stop Shop with ACCED-I. The One-Stop Shop status is not only recognized as an elite status in the ACCED-I organization, but it also helps the conference center to be known on campus, in the community, and on a national level.