The Kentucky Derby is one of those magical, world-renowned events that combine tradition, over-the-top extravagance, the excitement of live sports and the potential of witnessing history to absolute perfection.
It is an epic weekend of tantalizing food, cocktails, Southern hospitality and parties, highlighted by the spine-tingling Derby itself, the most exciting two minutes in sports.
All of those elements, combined with the charm of Louisville, come together to provide bucket list experiences for anyone who attends for the first or 50th time. But there is a huge difference between being one of the 165,000 people who simply attend the Derby, and being one of the select few that are part of the Kentucky Derby and live it through the QuintEvents’ Derby Experiences program. QuintEvents has partnered with the most prominent and prestigious names in sports and entertainment, allowing them to deliver packages that have exclusive and incredible perks at the most marquee events in the world. The fact that QuintEvents has done everything for you makes it literally a no-brainer for any affluent and sophisticated traveler. They take you inside not only the actual Derby and historic Churchill Downs and put you in some of the best seats in the house, but they open the doors and give you access to amazing parties and receptions and backstage, behind-the-ropes fun and A-list service and convenience.
With the vast amount of people that fly into Louisville for this weekend, and the mindboggling size of Churchill Downs, it changes everything if you have all details taken care of, organized and prepared for you when you arrive. QuintEvents has created a total of over 20 different turnkey packages, offering hotel accommodations, tickets, on-site hospitality, celebrity interactions and VIP insider access, which is what any sophisticated traveler wants to have during this special weekend. The parties in Louisville are as important and epic as the oversized hats and mint juleps, and QuintEvents includes one of the best soirees in their packages, the Fillies & Lilies Party, featuring country star Sara Evans, held at the historic Derby Museum on Friday night. This is a celebrity-studded gala with open bars, a bourbon lounge and gourmet hors d’oeuvres, all nestled in the hallowed museum on the site of the world’s most famous horse track. This year, Taylor Hicks, the former American Idol winner, will be performing throughout the weekend at another hospitality venue, the Affirmed Lounge, and you can meet celebrity jockeys and enjoy top-shelf food and beverage at several different Derby Experiences around Churchill Downs.
“When we launched Derby Experiences with Churchill Downs as our partner eight years ago, we weren’t sure what the demand for full-service packages would be,” says QuintEvents’ CEO Brian Learst.
“We learned quickly that the Kentucky Derby is special. People want that A-to-Z level of service and we’ve figured out how to deliver it seamlessly.”
I lived the Derby Experience in 2014 with QuintEvents, and I can attest that they helped make it the most enjoyable sporting event I have attended because of the incredible perks and levels of service. For instance, we stayed at the official Derby Hotel, the Galt House, and had our own concierge from QuintEvents who was there to make sure all of our transportation to and from the track, the tickets to the events, and everything we needed was there. Because I was in on a Derby Experiences package, the entire weekend consisted of special entrances with no lines, private betting areas with no lines, and open bars and spectacular food everywhere you turned around (with no lines!). You will meet and party with people from all over the world who are there to do exactly what you are — experience the Derby in a first class fashion — and you’ll make instant connections and friendships.
Churchill Downs unveiled a new rooftop party deck in 2014 — Sunny’s Halo Lounge — with amazing sight lines and seats, in direct proximity to the $12 million, 7-story LED video board which is the world’s largest ultra-high definition 4K video board, and that’s where many of QuintEvents’ guests watch the Derby.
Any jetsetter has the ability and resources to book a trip to Louisville and attend the Derby, but a true jetsetter used to the highest amount of access and service does it the smart way by making one call to QuintEvents and selecting the package that will do everything but allow them to ride shotgun on the winning horse down the backstretch of the 141st Kentucky Derby. Although, if you asked, they might even have a package for that.
