The Bowling Green Convention & Visitors Bureau (BGCVB) Board of Directors would like to congratulate Wendy Chambers as the new Executive Director for the Put-in-Bay Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau. As the previous Executive Director for the BGCVB, Chambers provided two decades of leadership that paved the way for the city’s new “Think BG Ohio” branding initiative. The final piece of the branding launch is the release of the new 2021-2022 Bowling Green Visitor Guide and Magazine, available this spring in both a print and electronic version.
The guide, logo, and marketing plan were part of Chambers’s vision for the city. As part of her legacy, Chambers also led the charge for Bowling Green to win two Best Hometown honors from Ohio Magazine, in 2008 and 2018.
Chambers was dedicated to making Bowling Green a destination for tourism, conferences, and events. She was a graduate of the first class of the Ohio Travel Association’s Leadership Academy in Columbus and was successful in making Bowling Green the destination for many regional and national events such as the Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure (GOBA), National Family Motor Coach Convention, International Jugglers Convention, Antique Motorcycle Rally, motorcoach tours, and the King Midget Car Jamboree scheduled for summer 2021.
Within the community, Chambers helped to organize many successful tourism-based events including an annual Foodways Expo and “Be a Tourist in Your Own Town.” She worked closely with Bowling Green State University and other community venues to welcome guests and encourage repeat visitation at annual events such as the Ohio Special Olympics, United Brethren, Ohio Town & Gown, Elk’s Bowling Tournament, BG Soccer Challenge, Carter Park baseball tournaments, Buckeye Boys State, National Tractor Pull, Black Swamp Arts Festival, Classics on Main Car Show, A Taste of Home, Holiday Parade, and Firefly Nights. Most notably, Wendy was instrumental in the evolution of the BG Winterfest Chillabration, which has evolved into a notable community-wide winter event that attracts more visitors each year.
Her dedication to promoting Bowling Green was recognized in 2013 with the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce I Love BG award.
Chambers has served on many community boards including the Wood County Historical Society, Wood County Airport, BG Chamber of Commerce, BG Economic Development, BG City Schools PTO and Foundation Board, and the American Cancer Society. She is currently a board member of the Zonta Club of BG and member of the BG Exchange Club.
Chambers leaves many legacies throughout the Bowling Green community including the historic district street signs as part of the BG Leadership class of 2003, the BGSU Visitor Center, mentor to many student interns and practicums, and the formation of the Rossford Convention & Visitors Bureau. The BGCVB Board of Directors wish Wendy much success in her new role with Put-in-Bay.
Kelli Kling, Secretary
BGCVB Board of Directors
