Visit BG Ohio has announced a pilot project for the use of shuttles from local hotels to two of Bowling Green’s largest events – the 54th Annual National Tractor Pulling Championships and the Black Swamp Arts Festival.
Visit BG Ohio is the promotional arm of the city managed by the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce starting in January of 2021. The advisory committee for Visit BG Ohio was appointed by Mayor Mike Aspacher and has representation from the city’s hotels, large event organizers, Downtown BG, BGSU, and the Chamber of Commerce.
The focus of this advisory committee has been to identify ways to meet the needs of Bowling Green hotel guests, attracting visitors to new events, and keeping the community engaged in all the quality of life opportunities within the city.
The shuttle schedule for the National Tractor Pulling Championships will make a loop from the event entrance of the Wood County Fairgrounds to these area hotels: Best Western Falcon Plaza, Home2 Suites, Fairfield Inn & Suites, Hampton Inn Bowling Green, and Holiday Inn Express & Suites. Shuttles will also allow those attending the National Tractor Pulling Championships to be dropped off in the downtown for shopping and dining as an additional convenience.
Those staying in the listed hotels for the Black Swamp Arts Festival will also be able to ride the shuttles to the downtown. This will eliminate the need to find a parking place, offer drop off and pick up at a convenient location, and the safety of not having to drive for those who have consumed an alcoholic beverage.
When the final schedules and routes have been completed they will be communicated through the media, on the Visit BG Ohio website and through the city’s social media platforms.
The Visit BG Ohio Advisory Committee made this decision to include shuttles as a call to action from the requests of visitors staying at the various hotels here in Bowling Green.
Brad Leigh, executive director for business operations at BGSU, who is a part of this committee, connected BGSU’s shuttle service, Groome Transportation, with the committee.
The pilot for the shuttle project will be evaluated by the VBGO committee after the events to determine the feasibility of continuing the service.
Website: https://visitbgohio.org/
