GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – As fans begin to arrive in the area ahead of this weekend’s game, area hotels are feeling the impact.
“We have 4,300 rooms in Green Bay and it is pretty much a sell out for three nights”
Brad Toll with the Greater Green Bay Visitor and Convention Bureau says the College Classic is not only bringing more people to the area, it’s also bringing more money.
“A typical Packers game brings in $13.5 million, that’s normally a two-night stay at hotels, this is a three, four-night stay, so $13.5 is very conservative, I would imagine it will push well beyond that,” added Toll.
It’s not only Green Bay seeing a boost from this weekend’s games, Oshkosh says its hotels are also filled with fans.
Justin Dejager with the Oshkosh Convention and Visitors Bureau.
“All of our hotels are booked this weekend which is awesome, and we’re really excited about that, so it’s been a great thing for our area here”
Dejager says the city has 12 hotels, with at least 900 rooms. He added having a big event like the College Classic in Green Bay has a ripple effect.
“It reminds me of the EAA, when the Air Venture Show is here it kind of trickles all around the area, and having events like this come to Green Bay or anywhere in the area is great for the surrounding area”
Same deal in the Appleton area says Mary Rhode, with the Fox Cities Visitors Center.
“The excitement of the event defiantly trickles down, so our hotels are full this weekend, but we do have a couple of rooms left but the large majority of them are very full for this weekend”
Rhode says being only 30 minutes away from Green Bay has its perks.
So when fans from both teams fill the streets around Lambeau Field, the impact of the game will be felt miles away.
