COVINGTON, Ky. (July 24, 2026) – Join the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce (NKY Chamber) for Eggs ‘N Issues: Play, Stay, Grow – Building a Region People Choose taking place on Tuesday, Aug. 18, from 7:30-9 a.m. at Receptions Banquet and Conference Center – South (1379 Donaldson Road, Erlanger, Kentucky 41018).
MeetNKY’s president and CEO Julie Kirkpatrick hosts a panel discussion with leaders from the arts, entertainment and hospitality industries who are helping shape Northern Kentucky’s identity and creating experiences that encourage people to play, stay, and invest in our region’s future.
Scheduled speakers include:
• Britton Dove, talent buyer for Promowest Live and MegaCorp Pavilion, is a Columbus native who relocated to the Greater Cincinnati region this year to book acts for MegaCorp Pavilion. His goal is to provide a safe and enjoyable space to those who live in the region and visitors who want to explore. His work at MegaCorp also allows him to appeal to all audiences and offer something for everyone.
• Matt Distel, executive director of the Carnegie in Covington, first joined the venue’s team as an Exhibitions Director before working his way up. Prior to his time at the Carnegie, he held curatorial roles at the Cincinnati Art Museum and the Contemporary Arts Center. He’s also served as the Executive Director of Visionaries + Voices in Cincinnati and HVCCA in New York.
• Mollie Lewis, president of New Riff Distilling, has been with the bourbon distillery since it launched in 2011 and was appointed to her current role in 2024. She is a Parsons School of Design alum and managed international wine exports in Italy for several years and worked with California’s Culinary Institute of America before returning to Northern Kentucky to launch New Riff with her father, Ken Lewis.
“Giving people a place to play, stay, and grow goes beyond jobs and infrastructure, it’s also about offering arts, entertainment, tourism, and hospitality that is accessible and attractive for everyone,” said Brent Cooper, NKY Chamber president and CEO. “This Eggs ‘N Issues will delve into all of the above along with the gathering spaces and the assets that make people want to spend time in a region. Because when we create a welcoming and fun environment, we can better attract talent, fuel economic growth, and strengthen our region’s competitiveness.”
Eggs ‘N Issues: Play, Stay, Grow – Building a Region People Choose will begin on August 18 with attendee check-in, breakfast and networking from 7:30 to 7:55 a.m. The keynote presentation and audience Q&A session will follow until 9 a.m. Registration is $35 for NKY Chamber members and $45 for non-members and walk-ins. The NKYP rate is $30; free with NKYP Event Pass. Pre-register for the event online at NKYChamber.com/Events.
The Eggs ‘N Issues title sponsor is DBL Law. The monthly sponsors are C-Forward, CVG Airport, and MeetNKY. The AV partner is A&E. The media partners are Cincinnati Business Courier and LINK nky.
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About the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce: The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Inc., (NKY Chamber) founded in 1969, is the leading business organization in Northern Kentucky with more than 1,750 member companies representing approximately 175,000 employees. The NKY Chamber strives to promote and support the development of strong businesses and a vibrant economy in the Northern Kentucky region, through leadership and advocacy, resulting in a better quality of life for all. Jason Payne, President, CEO and Chairman of First National Bank of Williamson, is the Chair of the Board, and Brent Cooper is the President and CEO of the NKY Chamber. Additional information is available at www.nkychamber.com.
