July 23- Mary Quinn Ramer, President, VisitLex, and Lisa Brin, Lead, FilmLEX

Lights, Camera, Lexington!
FilmLEX: Putting Central Kentucky in the Spotlight 

FilmLEX is VisitLEX’s film and television initiative, dedicated to serving and supporting the production community while promoting the Kentucky Entertainment Incentive Program to attract film and television projects to the Commonwealth. Through the leadership of our speakers today, since 2024 FilmLEX has positioned Lexington and Central Kentucky as a popular production destination, driving new investment, creating jobs, and showcasing the region’s talent, locations, and communities to audiences around the world. 

Mary Quinn Ramer is President of VisitLEX, where she oversees the organization’s marketing, convention sales, and administrative operations while leading efforts to promote Lexington for tourism, meetings, and special events. A tourism industry veteran with more than 25 years of experience, she assumed her current position in 2014 after serving seven years as VisitLEX’s Vice President of Marketing. 

During her tenure, she has spearheaded the organization’s award-winning rebranding, including the creation of Lexington’s iconic Blue Horse brand and accompanying merchandise. She has also coordinated VisitLEX’s efforts for four international equine events; launched an original culinary tourism initiative; helped secure the expansion of the Central Bank Center; and played key roles in restoring the Old Fayette Courthouse as VisitLEX headquarters and reopening public access to the Kentucky River through Kelly’s Landing. 

A graduate of Centre College, Ramer has received numerous honors throughout her career. She is the recipient of the Public Relations Society of America’s highest honor, the Silver Anvil, as well as multiple marketing awards from the Kentucky Travel Industry Association, including the prestigious Mangeot-Oaken Award. She has also been recognized as Kentucky’s Tourism Director of the Year. 

Lisa Brin is the FilmLEX Lead for VisitLEX, where she promotes Lexington and Central Kentucky as premier destinations for film and television production. In her role, she markets the region to the entertainment industry, connects productions with local resources, and serves as a trusted advisor throughout the filming process. 

Before returning to Kentucky five years ago, Brin built an impressive career in Los Angeles, developing consumer brand partnership campaigns for major studios, including The Walt Disney Company, Universal Pictures, DreamWorks Animation, and The Marketing Store. Her work supported blockbuster franchises such as Jurassic World, Fast & Furious, Kung Fu Panda, Despicable Me, and The Grinch. She also spent four years studying improvisation and screenwriting at Chicago’s renowned Second City, where she embraced the collaborative philosophy of “yes, and.” 

Although born and raised in the Chicago area, Brin has deep Kentucky roots through her father’s Lexington family. She is proud to be back in the Bluegrass to help grow Kentucky’s emerging film industry through FilmLEX.