GREEN BAY, Wis. — As crews work tirelessly to build the stage for the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay, it serves as a reminder that the big event is drawing near.

While most people are focused to the event, local tourism leaders are also taking time to look back at the success Detroit had in hosting the event in 2024. 

Nick Meisner from Discover Green Bay said he and others within the organization have worked with Visit Detroit to learn some keys to success from Motor City’s experience hosting the draft. Besides practical lessons like logistics, a focus has also been on how to sell the city and make the most of its time in the spotlight. 

“To see how they really made it feel like Detroit. The little touches they did to make it feel like Detroit, and thinking, 'how do we do that in Green Bay? How do we connect with that?' They were doing their Detroit style pizza. How do we get supper clubs involved?” said Meisner. 

Marty Dobek is the Executive Director of the Detroit Sports Commission. He played a significant role in preparing for the 2024 Draft, and has worked with leaders in Green Bay to help them prepare for a similar event. 

Dobek said having the chance to highlight your city in front of such a large in person, and television audience is an amazing opportunity. 

“The NFL Draft is like a Broadway play and your city is the main character in that play,” said Dobek. 

Dobek said he is happy to help Green Bay in any way possible as they navigate hosting the draft themselves. 

“We are happy to help. We want to make the draft in the next host city a great experience for them and we feel with our experience on the ground we can be a resource,” said Dobek. 

Dobek also said that hosting the event continues to benefit their city.

Nick Meisner with Discover Green Bay said staff from his organization have traveled to the last few NFL Drafts in order to prepare to host the event themselves.