BG Area CVB signs contract extension to host Mid-South Conference athletic championships

On Wednesday afternoon, the Bowling Green Area Convention and Visitors Bureau held a press conference at the home of the Hot Rods to announce a contract extension with the Mid-South Conference.

Back in 2015, the Mid-South Conference and city of Bowling Green agreed to a partnership to bring the conference championships to Warren County and its sports facilities. Now, three years later and following a run of successful events at Bowling Green Ball Park, Buchanon Park, Lovers Lane Soccer Complex, and several other athletic fields, the conference and the BG Area CVB have decided to extend their current five year contract for an additional five years. The new contract agreed upon by both agencies will now go through fiscal year 2025.

"This is a great fit for us," said Vicki Fitch, Executive Director of the Bowling Green Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. "It is a great fit for the Mid-South Conference."

BG Area CVB Sports Sales Director Amy Cardwell shared similar sentiments.

"Each year we continue to grow those events and grow the opportunities," Cardwell said. "It’s allowed us to host other events."

The relationship between the two groups has proven to be beneficial to both parties during the three years these two have engaged in these events. 

"All of our schools, and athletic directors, and coaches have had such a positive experience that this is something we really wanted to try to make happen," said Mid-South Conference Commissioner Eric Ward.

The conference is able to utilize top notch athletic facilities for their championships, and the Warren County economy receives an influx of business from all the tourists that come to town for these tournaments.

"Money generated by these events are helping add to budget lines for like the Warren County Parks and Recreation or Warren County Public School System where they’re hosting the events at," said Cardwell.

Fourteen of the Mid-South Conference Championships were held in Bowling Green in 2017-2018, and that number will now rise to sixteen championship tournaments for the 2018-2019 athletic year–women’s wrestling, men’s volleyball, baseball, bowling, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, women’s volleyball, and men’s wrestling.

In addition to the championships, the Mid-South Conference will bring an eight-team invitational tournament for men’s and women’s basketball, as well as an 18-team women’s volleyball invitational to Bowling Green in fall of 2018. Additionally, the conference will also host its administrative meetings in the city.

The Mid-South Conference is made up of universities from across the southern and Midwestern United States, including eight full members and 22 associate members in 11 states. The conference sports 27 sports overall, and it was the coordinating efforts of several athletic facilities and community sponsorships that helped bring the MSC to BG. 

Both the conference and members of the Bowling Green community are hoping to continue to see positive impacts for both groups in the years to come following this new contractual agreement.