From VISIT BG OHIO
Visit BG Ohio (VBGO) has released its annual report for 2025. VBGO’s mission is to promote Bowling Green as an ideal location for events and meetings, attract leisure visitors through unique experiences, and offer exceptional hospitality to ensure visitors keep returning.
Grants
In 2025, VBGO awarded $16,229 in tourism grants to multiple organizations that positively impact tourism in Bowling Green. VBGO also partnered with recipients by providing resources, connecting them with community partners, and participating in their events.
The Bowling Green Curling Club received a grant to help support a six-day 2025 Junior Nationals event. Hotel usage for the event was estimated at 469 room nights – approximately 67 rooms over seven nights – along with 20 short-term rental and campground stays. The event generated approximately $13,000 for the Bowling Green Curling Club.
The Wood County Historical Society used its grant from VBGO to increase the promotions budget for its three-day event, “Early Ohio on the Portage: A Living History Weekend.” The event features period-costumed interpreters from 1700 to 1865. The interpreters teach school children and the public about life in the early days of Wood County with demonstrations. Many of the interpreters camp in canvas tents on the grounds overnight, but some prefer using the local hotels overnight.
The National Tractor Pulling Championships (NTPC) brings more than 60,000 people to Bowling Green for a three-day event that is known internationally. A grant from VBGO provided hospitality services for the guests of Bowling Green hotels with shuttles to and from the fairgrounds and a stop downtown. VBGO coordinates this shuttle service for NTPC as well as providing a hospitality tent at the event to help visitors with their questions about where to eat or shop and other attractions in Bowling Green.
The annual Spring and Fall Soccer Challenge brought teams from Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Ontario, Canada, in 2025. The spring tournament brought 364 teams and a total of 2,000 hotel rooms were booked for the event. The economic impact was $1.5 million. Though the fall numbers are typically smaller, there were still 185 teams that participated and had an economic impact of $800,000. VBGO helps with the distribution of trophies.
Sponsorships
VBGO sponsored the following events for a total of $58,663: Soccer Challenge; BG 4 X 4 Fest – Local Drive; BG Boom Festival and Fireworks; Bowling Green Pickleball Courts; BG Youth Baseball – banners for businesses on the fence at Carter Park; Firefly Nights; annual holiday parade; Wood County Museum – Music at the Museum and Free First Fridays; BG Porchfest; The BGOPride Association – Pride 2025; Downtown Foundation – downtown lighting project; and An Evening of Christmas.
Marketing
VBGO spent $96,988 on marketing in 2025. VBGO was included in the following publications: State of Ohio official travel guide, Ohio Magazine, The Guardians’ official program, Cleveland Browns’ official program, Destination Toledo visitors’ guide, Bowling Green visitors’ guide, America 250th Ohio Magazine special publication, NTPC program, Wood County Fair book, and installments in the 2026-27 official Bowling Green Magazine. Digital marketing included Great Lakes Publishing, search engine marketing, paid social media marketing, and email marketing. Installments on the website were rebuilt and the ITI digital automated events calendar and events content management was added.
VBGO also participated in the following trade shows and events: AAA Travel Show – Columbus; Sports Destination Conference – Portland, Oregon; S.O.A.R. – BGSU student orientation; BGSU family weekend; NTPC – welcome booth; business expo; and Wood County Chamber Day at the Wood County Fair. VBGO made appearances on or interviewed with the following: WTOL 11, NBC 24, ABC 13, and The Morning Show WBGU 88.1 FM.
Photo shoots that VBGO paid for provided assets for its website rebuild and content for the 2026-27 Bowling Green Magazine.
Accomplishments and Recognition
VBGO earned a Citation of Excellence as second-place winner for Best New Experience for BG 4 X 4 Fest at the 2025 Ohio Conference on Travel RUBY Awards. Selected from a record 241 entries across 17 categories, the recognition affirms the festival as one of Ohio’s most impactful new tourism initiatives.
The inaugural BG 4 X 4 Fest attracted more than 1,750 attendees, generated an estimated $250,000 in economic impact, and raised funds for four scholarships supporting local students pursuing careers in agriculture and the skilled trades. The free, family-friendly event – held at the Wood County Fairgrounds – celebrates outdoor adventure and off-road culture.
The award reflects strong community collaboration among local businesses, organizations, and volunteers, whose teamwork brought the event to life and positioned it for continued growth in its second year.
