Thursday, Jul. 17, 2025

Kelly Named As CEO For 2010 Kentucky WEG

John P. (Jack) Kelly, a man with extensive experience in planning and marketing international sports, was named on May 22 as the chief executive officer of the World Games 2010 Foundation Inc., the group that’s organizing the World Equestrian Games at the Kentucky Horse park in September 2010.
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John P. (Jack) Kelly, a man with extensive experience in planning and marketing international sports, was named on May 22 as the chief executive officer of the World Games 2010 Foundation Inc., the group that’s organizing the World Equestrian Games at the Kentucky Horse park in September 2010.

“I’m very enthusiastic about again having the opportunity to lead a major international sporting event,” said Kelly. “When the FEI awarded the games to the Kentucky bid team, they did so with high expectations. I’m confident that we can meet and exceed these expectations and bring great credit to Kentucky.”

Kelly is also the founder and CEO of Event Partners, Inc., a broad-based sports-consulting, event-management and advisory company.  Since 1995, the company has worked with more than 100 clients on all aspects of major event bidding, site selection, planning, operations, marketing, funding and management.

“I think Jack is the perfect fit,” said Jim Host, chairman of the World Games 2010 Foundation. “With the equine expertise that we have in the U.S. Equestrian Federation and the Kentucky Horse Park, the political backing of both the city of Lexington and the state of Kentucky and the talents of all of our foundation members, Jack’s talents will help make these games a complete success.”

In addition, Kelly served from 1990 to 1996 as both the president of Turner Broadcasting’s Goodwill Games and as the director of all Turner international sports efforts, overseeing all aspects of the $100 million-plus enterprise, including managing all national and city relationships, conducting television negotiations, maximizing television syndication, and creating a worldwide merchandising and licensing program.

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Through Event Partners, Kelly also has served such clients as the U.S. Olympic Committee, the 1996 Paralympic Games, 14 U.S. national sports governing bodies, Disney’s Wide World of Sports, five U.S. states and more than 100 municipal clients.

From 2000 to 2002, Kelly also served as the CEO of the Bowling Proprietors Association of America, the national trade group for the business of bowling. During that time the BPAA reached record levels of membership, sponsorship and trade show participation.

Kelly also served as a president of two U.S. Olympic Festivals, in Houston (1986) and Minneapolis-St. Paul (1990).

“It’s very exciting to think about not only representing the State of Kentucky with this event, but also the United States,” said Kelly.  “It is important for our national standing in the international sports and sports business community for the U.S. to successfully host major events like this, and we’ll be up to the challenge.”

More than 800 riders and 875 horses are expected to compete at the 2010 WEG, with ticket sales expected to exceed 500,000.

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