August 12, 2008

BEECH BEND RACEWAY LANDS SUPER CHEVY SHOW

Tourism Officials Also Discuss Strategic Plan for Upcoming Year

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The Bowling Green Area Convention and Visitors Bureau learned from Beech Bend Park owner Dallas Jones yesterday that the Raceway would host a Super Chevy Show in August of 2009, bringing a potential 23,000 visitors to Bowling Green over the three-day event. One of the oldest automotive shows on the circuit according to Jones, the event will be similar to the NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion and the Good Guys Rod & Custom Nostalgia Nationals, which occurs this October.

Warren County occupancy figures from Smith Travel Research revealed a 4.7% dip in June occupancy over last year for reporting hotels, but revenue was up 13.2%. CVB Executive Director Vicki Fitch noted that the return of the Hot Rod Reunion was a large contributor to that increase in revenue.

The CVB Board of Directors received the Strategic Plan for the 2009 Fiscal year from CVB staff members. Responding to significant tourism trends such as culinary travel and an increase in internet vacation planning, the CVB is working with some local restaurants to offer cooking demonstrations and will be adding an interactive Visitor’s Guide to its Visitbgky.com website.

Other strategies include expanded collaboration with attractions and events to offer more discounted packages to visitors, developing an audio tour to accompany the Civil War Discovery Trail, and recruiting a core group of sporting enthusiasts who will assist with high profile, significant events considering the Bowling Green area. This select volunteer team will help plan welcome receptions, attend press conferences and create lasting impressions for event participants. Applications are now available by contacting CVB Sports Marketing Director Amy Cardwell at 270-782-0800 or amy@visitbgky.com.

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