Bringing Big Events & Big Impact to Green Bay

Written By: Lydia Andersen, Content Marketing Manager, Discover Green Bay

How the Discover Green Bay Sales Team Makes It Happen

Green Bay is no stranger to the spotlight, and in 2025, the area will once again take center stage, starting with one of the biggest events in sports: the 2025 NFL Draft. It’s an honor to bring this historic event to our city, and the work behind the scenes has been nothing short of incredible. From coordinating with the NFL, the Green Bay Packers, and the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) to ensuring that local businesses and organizations are part of the excitement, Discover Green Bay has played a key role in making this dream a reality.

Bringing the NFL Draft to Green Bay is a massive undertaking, and Discover Green Bay has been deeply involved in every step of the process. From ensuring local businesses are part of the excitement to coordinating logistics like transportation, parking, and crowd flow, our team has worked tirelessly to prepare the city for this historic event. We’re collaborating with the NFL, Packers, and LOC, to make sure everything runs smoothly- not just for the league and its fans but for our community as well. An estimated economic impact for the Draft is $20 million locally for Brown County, and $90 million statewide.

But the Draft is just the beginning. Green Bay has established itself as a premier destination for conventions, tournaments, and large-scale events, generating millions in economic impact each year. From national sports championships to citywide tournaments, we’re committed to bringing business to Green Bay, filling hotels, while packing restaurants and attractions along the way.

How the Discover Green Bay Sales Team Makes It Happen

Behind every event that comes to Green Bay is a team of people working tirelessly to make it happen. Discover Green Bay’s sales team isn’t your typical sales teamthey’re event matchmakers, tourism advocates, and passionate champions of our city. Unlike traditional sales, they don’t just close deals- they work to bring in the right events that enhance Green Bay’s reputation as a top-tier destination to host incredible events.

Each team member specializes in different categories, whether it’s sports tournaments, conventions, shows, or niche events, and they work hard to secure and support events that will have the biggest impact on our community. In 2024 alone, their efforts generated an incredible $139 million in economic impact, bringing thousands of visitors to the area and helping local businesses thrive.

Building A Sports Tourism Hub

Green Bay isn’t just about football- it’s about big-time events across all sports. In 2025, our city will host three major tournaments that will bring thousands of athletes, families, and fans to the area.

WAMO State Dart Tournament May 14-18, 2025

Green Bay will once again welcome back the WAMO State Dart Tournament, celebrating its 40th anniversary at the Resch Expo. This five-day competition brings dart players from across Wisconsin together for an exciting competition. The event will be held at the Resch Expo, with discounted hotel accommodations available for participants and spectators. This event will bring our area an estimated economic impact of $3.5 million.

YMCA National Gymnastics Championship | June 24-29, 2025

The YMCA of the USA (Y-USA) has selected Green Bay as the host city for its 2025 National Gymnastics Championship, bringing 2,000 athletes from across the country to compete at an elite level. Even more exciting? Two-time Olympian Jordan Chiles will be delivering the keynote address, making this an unforgettable experience for gymnasts, families, and fans. This event will bring our area an estimated economic impact of $3.3 million.

Junior Gold Championships

July 11-19, 2025

For the first time ever, Green Bay will host the 2025 Junior Gold Championships, a premier national youth bowling event. This tournament, spanning four host destinations- Green Bay, the Fox Cities, Oshkosh, and Wausau, is expected to generate an economic impact of $13 million. Thousands of bowlers and spectators will travel to the region, supporting local businesses and showcasing the area as a top-tier sports destination.

BEYOND SPORTS: MAJOR EVENTS COMING TO GREEN BAY IN 2025

While sports tournaments and championships bring a massive boost to Green Bay, the city is also a sought-after destination for conventions, conferences, and large-scale events across industries. In 2025, several major non-sports events will bring thousands of visitors to the region, driving economic impact and showcasing Green Bay’s ability to host diverse gatherings.

• Kitsune Kon | July 11-13, 2025 – This annual anime and gaming convention will bring 3,000 attendees to Green Bay, booking 2,950 hotel rooms and generating an estimated $3.5 million in economic impact.

• Wisconsin Chiefs of Police Association | August 10-13, 2025 – Law enforcement leaders from across the state will gather in Green Bay, bringing 400 attendees, filling 1,300 hotel rooms, and contributing $559,580 to the local economy.

Bringing Even More Events To Green Bay

Green Bay’s reputation as a premier event destination continues to grow, and local businesses and organizations can play a role in shaping its future. If you attend an industry conference or convention in another city, consider bringing it home to Green Bay! The Discover Green Bay sales team is always looking for opportunities to host impactful events, and your connections could make a big difference in securing new conventions, meetings, and expos that drive tourism and economic growth.

With a packed 2025 event calendar, from the NFL Draft to national tournaments and industry conferences, Green Bay is proving time and time again that it’s more than ready for the spotlight. With $139.6 million in economic impact in 2024 alone, Discover Green Bay remains focused on bringing major events to our community, creating lasting experiences for visitors, and driving growth for local businesses. Green Bay has always been a premier destination; a city that rises to the occasion, and with everything on the horizon, the future has never looked brighter!