Events Bring Business to Downtown Green Bay

Written By: Jeff Mirkes, Executive Director, Downtown Green Bay, Inc.

Special events, meetings and conferences are key ingredients to the momentum and success of Downtown Green Bay. For almost thirty years, Downtown Green Bay, Inc., a non-profit Business Improvement District, has been committed to coordinating memorable and welcoming special events such as The Saturday Farmers Market, Fridays on the Fox, and The Green Bay Holiday Parade. We also take on new events as we prepare for our third year coordinating ArtFest Green Bay. While some organizations produce events to raise funds, our main intent is to create unique experiences to welcome visitors from near and far. Most of our events are free to attend and made possible by generous event sponsors. Over the past two decades, the connection between event programming and business development has become stronger than ever. Following the opening of The CityDeck, over $250 million in development has occurred near the Fox River. We believe that the current interest in residential development is also strengthened by the positive vibe that results from hundreds of unique events produced annually throughout the Broadway, Olde Main, and Downtown Districts. We are thankful that numerous non-profit organizations are choosing Downtown locations for their events.

Events large and small are vital to downtown businesses that attract potential patrons when coordinated activities are happening. An event may attract many first-time visitors, and it’s our hope that while here, they discover plenty of reasons to return. A recent example was our annual Café Crawl, held on a Saturday morning in February. The event attracted over 900 participants who rode complimentary trolleys and enjoyed caffeinated or scrumptious samples at nine, locally owned shops or cafes. We heard many comments from attendees that they loved the event and were inspired by the businesses, and the progress taking place in our Districts.

On a significantly larger scale, when the NFL Draft takes place in Green Bay, we have a great opportunity to create experiences for visitors and community members that contribute to the hometown culture of Green Bay, and to showcase our city worldwide to 75 million viewers.

Our Downtown GB team, in partnership with On Broadway and The City of Green Bay, is proud to be involved with significant Draft week programming and first impression initiatives that will shine a spotlight on our Downtown’s vibrancy, and opportunities for residential and corporate development. Check out www.TouchdownDowntown.com for the exciting Draft week details for the Booyah Battle, Draft Day 5k, Draft City Music Fest, Fireworks, Saturday Farmers Market, Living Packers Heritage Trail and more, all happening in the Downtown Districts.

While many special events take place on the streets and parks throughout Downtown, there are numerous unique meeting venues that are just as vital in generating retail, restaurant and lodging activity throughout the year. Notable meeting venues include The KI Convention Center, The Meyer Theatre and Backstage, The Automobile Gallery, Hagemeister Park, and The Washington Ballroom.