The Bowling Green Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) has announced two new additions to the board. Sharon Brawner, president and CEO of the National Corvette Museum, and Connor Raymer, owner and broker at local family-owned brokerage, NextHome Realty. Both appointed members bring an important set of skills to the diverse team of experts who help support tourism efforts for Bowling Green, contributing to the local economy while furthering the development of infrastructure in the area.

 A tourism and hospitality icon, Brawner has served as the president and CEO of the National Corvette Museum since 2021. During her tenure, her impact has been felt across the organization and community, including the opening of "Custom CARisma: The Legendary Creations of Carl Casper" exhibit and the debut of the McMichael Family Education Gallery. Before joining the National Corvette Museum, Brawner spent nearly two decades at the Country Music Hall of Fame and has served on numerous tangential boards, such as the Tennessee Tourism Committee. Early in her career, Brawner served years in the hotel and hospitality fields within the areas of sales, marketing and corporate partnerships with the likes of Opryland Hotel, Loews Anatole Hotel and the Galt House Hotel, among others. 

“As a Kentucky native with a passion for tourism and hospitality, I look forward to working with the tourism board to help bring visitors to the wonderful Bowling Green community,” said Brawner. “Together with the CVB and our local attractions, we will continue to successfully market Bowling Green as a premier destination.” 

Raymer joins the board as a Bowling Green native and a graduate of Greenwood High School and Western Kentucky University. Raymer arms the board as a real estate expert with more than a decade of experience serving South Central Kentucky in areas of property management, buying, selling and property investment.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled to join the tourism board, especially since I’ve spent my entire life in Bowling Green,” said Raymer. “Many wonderful memories involve this city, and I can’t wait to work alongside my constituents to further boast Bowling Green as an amazing location that has something for everyone.”

Both members will officially join the ranks of the existing board on July 1, 2023. These members include Leon Volkert, Mike Hughes, Byron Palmiter, Seth McClain and Michelle Gorman.