Daviess County, Ky., Rolls in the Tourist Trade.

Byline: Keith Lawrence

Nov. 23--Tourism was on a roll in Daviess County for much of the 1990s.

The International Bluegrass Music Association brought 10,000 or more visitors to town each September for its weeklong trade show and Fan Fest. And the Executive Inn Rivermont brought in major conventions from across the state.

But things turned sour in 1996 anyhow.

The Executive Inn was reeling from financial problems. Conventions were down.

Then, in 1997, the IBMA voted to move its convention -- the city's largest -- to Louisville.

The Executive Inn's struggles continued until 1999, when it was forced into a bankruptcy sale by a federal court in Florida.

But new owner John Bays has spent more than $10 million on renovations, and things are turning around.

"We already have 13 to 15 new conventions lined up for next year," says Joe Lowe, hotel spokesman. "And our bookings are up 60 percent."

The biggest new convention …