Event Detail



KBMA Industry Event * September 25, 2025
Join Us for Education, Lunch & Distillery Tours
@ the newest destination location in Bardstown, KY: The Trail Hotel

Dear KBMA Members,

We’re excited to invite you to a one-of-a-kind industry education and peer networking experience in the heart of Bourbon Country!

Join the Kentucky Building Materials Association on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at 10 a.m. EDT, at The Trail Hotel in Bardstown, KY for a special KBMA Industry Event!

  • Overflowing with nostalgia and with a pour of modern luxury, The Trail Hotel is the first and only bourbon-centric hotel, located—naturally—in the “Bourbon Capital of the World.” Steeped in Bardstown’s legendary charm, The Trail Hotel was designed for good times, good company, and even better bourbon. The hotel has extended a courtesy rate of $179/night to KBMA registrants for September 24-26. To make your reservation prior to September 5th, call 844-888-GRAD (844-888-4723) or CLICK HERE. Guests making such reservations must identify themselves as members of the “KBMA Meeting at The Trail” Event.
  • The hotel’s signature restaurant, Oak & Ember, offers elevated Southern cuisine rooted in local flavors, expertly paired with an encyclopedic bourbon list curated by a level‑three sommelier. Beyond the main dining room, guests can explore five distinct bar venues: the lobby “Embers” bar, the semi‑private Bourbon Lounge, the hidden Bourbon Vault speakeasy tucked behind artwork, the stylish Swim Club Bar poolside, and Bourbon Alley, a relaxed outdoor lounge with fire pits and casual bites.

Kick off the day with presentations from two distinguished speakers! Joy Whitenburg and Dan "Rowdy" Rau, will speak on current trends, challenges, and solutions in the building materials industry. Lunch at The Trail is included.

Distillery Tours
After lunch, enjoy guided tours of The Bardstown Bourbon Company and Lux Row Distillers—two of Kentucky’s premier bourbon destinations. Roundtrip transportation from The Trail Hotel to each distillery is included.

From Starting Gate to Winner's Circle: Guiding Your Yard to Peak Profitability with Leadership that Works Safe and Smart

 

In today's volatile economic landscape, lumber yards face constant hurdles – much like a thoroughbred race. Joy Whitenburg, from WorkSafeWorkSmart.com, LLC will share how a commitment to working safe and working smart isn't just about operational efficiency; it's the winning strategy for sustained profitability. We'll explore how the right leadership, focused on empowering teams and embracing lean principles, determines whether your business merely survives, weathers the storms, or truly crosses the finish line into a league of its own, even when market conditions feel like a steeplechase.

 

Payment Systems 

Run Payments
Dan"Rowdy"Rau 
This session will cover a comprehensive analysis of free processing statements, focusing on seasonal rate increases that occur each April and October—especially for reloaded Visa transactions. Attendees will learn whether they are absorbing these fees or if they’ve been automatically opted out. The presentation will also explore current and emerging integrated technology partners, including Flitch (new) and Epicor (legacy). Additional topics include fee structure transparency—whether all, some, or none of the fees are being passed through—and the critical distinction between service and software availability.

Cost: $200 per Member for Lunch and Tour
Guest fee for Distillery Tour Only: $150