Executive director for Bowling Green's tourism bureau reflects on career

(WBKO)
Published: Sep. 12, 2018 at 5:49 PM CDT
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Passion, love and commitment were some of the words used to describe the work ethic of a purposeful Bowling Green leader, now retiring.

Vicki Fitch, the executive director for the Bowling Green Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, has overseen a lot of improvements as tourism rises year by year in the area.

Hot-spots like the National Corvette Museum, Lost River Cave and Beech Bend Raceway attract tourists from far and wide, though it hasn't always been this way.

"When I first started in tourism here, there was no convention center, there was no Corvette Museum, Lost River Cave was not what it is today," said Fitch. "It's just been tremendous."

27 years in total -- Fitch spent 14 years at the bureau as marketing director, followed by another 13 as the executive director.

"Of course there's a mixed feeling because it's hard to leave something that you have put your life into for so long and it's been a great, great experience," she said.

There's a lot of initiatives the tourism center has put into place during her tenure -- developing their online presence to be competitive, bringing in a national public relations firm to help put the city on the map, and continuing different signage programs over the years.

"Those really do help the visitor and we're all about the visitor," said Fitch.

The economic impact can be felt strongly, as tourism continues to be the third largest industry for the state.

"Because of tourism in Warren County, a household pays over a $1,000 less in taxes on average," she said. "That's part of our drive, is to affect the economy in a major way, and we do ... and we're a major participant in leading that charge."

Bowling Green continues to grow, change and get better. She said it's due in large part to the collaboration and partnerships made across the area.

To say her time at the bureau has been enjoyable might be an understatement.

"I feel like a lot of times, I have the most fun job in town," said Fitch. "Even though it takes a lot of hours, it's not like work, it's like just doing something that you're passionate about.

She moves forward now with the desire to spend more time with family and friends, and spend more time helping in charitable organizations, while knowing she's made her mark.

"Whoever comes in after me, they will be in a good place to implement new ideas and they won't be cleaning up problems necessarily; they'll be moving forward with good ideas, and so it appears to be a good time," she said.

The bureau's board of directors plans to meet soon to begin planning the search for a new director.

Fitch said she's confident they'll do a great job.