From DOWNTOWN BOWLING GREEN
Tony Vetter has been selected as the new Director of Downtown Bowling Green and The Downtown Foundation. He started on October 29, 2018. Downtown Bowling Green is a Special Improvement District within the downtown area. It serves the downtown as a liaison with government offices, other merchants and the media. Downtown BG strives to enhance and stabilize the economic vitality of the Central Business District through long-term improvement projects and ongoing promotional activities that benefit the community and surrounding area.
Downtown Bowling Green hosts the Art Walk, Classics on Main Car Show, Farmers Market, the new Winter Market, Community Tree Lightning, Downtown Beautification, Holiday Decorations, and Holly Days along with sponsoring Firefly Nights, Fall Festival and Shop Small Business Saturday. It also supports other events promoted by the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce, BG Convention & Visitors Bureau, Bowling Green Economic Development (all located in the Four Corners Building) and the city of Bowling Green. Volunteers for these events shows the strong support the community provides to Downtown Bowling Green. Working with Bowling Green State University and providing internship opportunities has benefited both organizations.
Downtown Bowling Green promotes Downtown Dollars which are gift certificates that can be used just like cash in downtown businesses. It also furnishes enhanced maintenance for the downtown business district.
“Mary Hinkelman, new Executive Director of the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce, has done an excellent job as Director of Downtown Bowling Green and I wish to continue that same level of service along with implementing new ways to serve downtown and the community”, said Tony Vetter.
Tony has over 27 years in leadership, sales and marketing experience. Recently he was Director of Sales and Interim President for the Toledo Convention and Visitors Bureau promoting our region to state, regional, national and international groups.
Tony earned the Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) designation in 2016, the only integrated executive program specifically designed for the destination marketing industry. The focus of the program is on vision, leadership, productivity and the implementation of business strategies. “Tony Vetter, as CDME graduate, has been awarded the profession’s highest educational standing.” said Richard Nachazel, past President and CEO of Destination Toledo.
Tony graduated from Bowling Green State University with a degree in Journalism and Public Relations and started his own business to pay his way through college. He and his wife, Cheryl ,have lived in Bowling Green for over 24 years. Cheryl has been a business owner in Bowling Green for over 31 years operating Hagemeyer Fine Photography with her sister Kathy Wilhelm. Tony is the son a farmer and grew up in a family of 12 near Hicksville, OH.
