Kentucky Venues rolls out smart vending at Louisville convention centers

Kentucky Venues, the operating brand for the Kentucky Exposition Center and Kentucky International Convention Center, has introduced a new smart vending program at the facilities. The facilities will use Envision IQ vending machines from Seaga Manufacturing Inc. to support convention and event operations.

The machines will be stocked with single-serve items, as well as family-size items, combo options, and a curated mix of Kentucky-made products from Louisville-based Pap’s Jerky. Early assortments include Kentucky Venues Snack Mix, Pap’s Jerky, Kizito Cookies and Bourbon Barrel Foods, with capacity for larger multi-spiral items aimed at families, exhibitors, and event organizers.

Each machine has a 49” interactive touchscreen, a touchscreen purchasing interface, and multilingual product displays to support international guests. Venue visitors can shop during live events and on pre- and post-event days when traditional concessions may be limited.

Kentucky Venues President and CEO David S. Beck says the program is intended to enhance guest services while advancing the organization’s innovation goals. Other benefits of the smart vending machines include expanded access to local products and the opportunity to create opportunities for event and venue partners and sponsors.

Beyond product sales, each unit functions as a digital signage platform. Event managers and sponsors can use the screens to promote programming, share venue communications, announce emergency alerts and display branded content, creating a messaging and sponsorship channel within the venues.

The machines generate real-time operational data, tracking metrics such as foot-traffic patterns, trending items, dwell time and purchasing behavior. Kentucky Venues and event organizers can use this information to refine product mixes, adjust placement and support planning decisions during the organization’s broader campus transformation.