It is with great sadness that the Forum Executive Committee has decided to cancel the 2020 USA/Canada Lions Leadership Forum in Louisville, Kentucky. As we said earlier in the year, the safety of our attendees is our number one concern. We had hoped for a significant flattening of the curve on cases of COVID-19 throughout our geographical area but that has not been the trend. Travel between the United States and Canada has also been a concern.
Although the planned Forum is still three months away and conditions could improve over the summer, there is enough uncertainty that we feel it best to make the decision to cancel now.
The Forum will offer a choice of a full refund or a rollover of your registration fees to the 2021 Forum. You must make that choice in writing by e-mailing our Registrar at registrar@lionsforum.org or by mailing your choice request to PO Box 723, Rapid City, SD 57709-0723. Please do not call the Forum office to request a refund or transfer of funds to 2021.
Our goal for the USA/Canada Lions Leadership Forum has always been to provide a rich learning experience and a social environment where we see our old friends and make new ones. This 44th Annual Forum promised to be one of the best as the City of Louisville has so much to share with us.
We extend our sincere appreciation to the City of Louisville and to the Kentucky Lions for inviting us. We hope to back soon.
Lion Harvey Whitley, PID
2020 Forum General Chairperson
The Mission of the USA/Canada Lions Leadership Forum:
To develop leaders, motivate and educate attendees, provide an open exchange of ideas, and support programs and goals of Lions Clubs International.
You’re Going to Love Louisville?
Overall
• “Top 10 U.S. Destinations for 2018” (Bourbon Country) – Lonely Planet
• “The 10 Coolest U.S. Cities to Visit in 2018”– Forbes
• “11 Cities on the Rise You Can’t Pass Up”
Smart Meetings
• “3 Hottest US Cities for Events”– Experient
• “29 Best Small Cities in the US”– National Geographic
• “30 Best US Summer Travel Destinations” Travel Pulse
• “America’s Best Cities for a Long Weekend” Pure Wow
Eat & Drink
• “The Best Drinking Neighborhoods in the Country (Downtown/Nulu)–Thrilist
• “The World’s Top 10 Beer Destinations for 2018 Vinepair
• “Most Romantic Restaurant in Kentucky” (English Grill)–Food & Wine
• “Cities with an Unexpectedly International Food Scene”- Fodor’sTravel
• “12 Foodie Cities to Discover Before Everyone Else”
Where Traveler
• “The 10 Fastest-growing Beer Destinations in America”- AirBnB
Bourbon City – Louisville’s first distillery since Prohibition opened in the heart of downtown in 2013 signaling a new era in Bourbon in its native home.
The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience became the first distillery the public could tour in Louisville as other brands have joined the Urban Bourbon renaissance. The picturesque Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience, rock ‘n’ roll brandy distillery Copper & Kings, and father-son craft distillery Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co., were soon to follow. The Jim Beam Urban Stillhouse opened a micro distillery and visitor experience at Fourth Street Live!
The Frazier History Museum on Museum Row is the official starting point for the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® with a Welcome Center & Exhibit.
As Louisville’s reputation as a food destination has come to garner worldwide recognition, local chefs and entrepreneurs have taken culinary experiences beyond the dining room. Bourbon-themed tour company Mint Julep Tours offers customizable Culinary Artisan Tours to either sample Kentucky’s staple dishes or to experience tasting dinners, chef’s table experiences or mixology classes.
The accolades continue to grow – from the World Food Travel Association’s grand prize award for “Best Destination Experience” to Zagat naming Louisville “one of the top eight ‘awesome foodie getaways in the world’” – the only US destination.