Kentucky Celebrates the Landmark Rebranding and Grand Transformation of Crowne Plaza Bowling Green

A full-scale brand conversion, 40,000 square feet of premier event space, and a locally inspired redesign usher in an elevated new era for corporate and association travel in Bowling Green.

By Nathan Snyder, Editor · November 5, 2026

BOWLING GREEN, KY — A dynamic new chapter in regional hospitality has officially arrived with the comprehensive renovation and landmark rebranding of the former Holiday Inn University Plaza into the newly unveiled Crowne Plaza Bowling Green. Located at 1021 Wilkinson Trace and operated by Atrium Hospitality, the property’s full-scale transformation positions the hotel as a premier corporate, convention, and blended-travel destination in Southern Kentucky.

To celebrate the milestone unveiling, the property welcomed business leaders, event planners, and community partners for an exclusive, immersive Grand Opening Storytellers Evening. Designed as a tribute to Bowling Green’s rich heritage as the exclusive global home of the Chevrolet Corvette, the celebration greeted guests with an authentic Corvette displayed inside the newly redesigned lobby, setting the tone for an evening that paired elevated hospitality with local pride.

A Strategic Elevation Within the IHG Portfolio

The transition from Holiday Inn to Crowne Plaza represents a deliberate strategic elevation within the IHG Hotels & Resorts portfolio. By moving into IHG’s premium brand family, the property aligns its physical footprint with a flag globally recognized for modern business travel, seamless connectivity, and high-touch convention service.

Directly connected to the Sloan Convention Center, Crowne Plaza Bowling Green anchors roughly 40,000 square feet of combined, flexible meeting and event space. The property’s 218 modernized guestrooms are tailored to support both high-capacity conferences and executive stays, with every corner room configured as a suite alongside four expansive specialty suites, including a dedicated hospitality suite.

“We needed a brand that was deeply focused on meetings and events, and Crowne Plaza is IHG’s premier meetings and events brand,” said Megan Wallstrom, General Manager of Crowne Plaza Bowling Green. “By elevating the property into IHG’s premium family, we are delivering an upgraded level of service, design, and versatility that meets the evolving needs of state associations, corporate groups, and the modern blended traveler.”

Photos: Crowne Plaza Bowling Green / Atrium Hospitality.

Redefined Design & Elevated Amenities

The property’s aesthetic transformation bridges contemporary corporate sophistication with the distinct natural and cultural history of the Bowling Green region, offering guests an unmistakable sense of place:

• The Speakeasy-Inspired Lounge & Bar: Drawing architectural inspiration from the nearby Mammoth Cave system and Kentucky’s Prohibition-era history, the redesigned bar features natural stone, warm woods, archival photography from an authentic local cave speakeasy, and a curated menu of craft, Prohibition-era signature cocktails.
• The Studio Workspace: New to the property is Crowne Plaza’s signature “The Studio,” an adaptable, living-room-style collaborative workspace designed for informal executive breakout sessions, remote work, and effortless transition between business and leisure.
• The Revitalized Atrium & Suites: Expansive public gathering zones in the central atrium have been refreshed with contemporary seating and warm ambient lighting, complementing the upgraded guestroom inventory and executive boardrooms.

An Immersive Showcase of Local Culture

Rather than hosting a traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony, the property’s leadership team—with event production spearheaded by Catering Sales Manager Lauren Board—designed the grand opening as an interactive walk-through of the hotel’s transformed spaces.

Attendees navigated six curated history stops throughout the property, with QR codes at each station linking to video segments of hotel managers sharing the region’s heritage. The guided experience culminated at a historic bootlegger station, where guests received an exclusive password granting entry into the transformed bar—temporarily styled as an authentic speakeasy for the evening.

“If you can create a lasting memory and a genuine emotional connection, planners and guests will carry that experience with them when they are looking to book their next major event,” Wallstrom noted.

Looking Ahead: A Premier Destination for 2027 and Beyond

With the renovation complete and forward bookings already pacing ahead of projections, Crowne Plaza Bowling Green is expanding its group offerings beyond the ballroom. The property is actively partnering with local venues to offer customized itinerary packages for visiting conferences and corporate retreats—integrating golf packages on the adjacent course, authentic Kentucky barbecue experiences, regional cave excursions, and historic city tours.

Built to serve the “blended traveler”—attendees who extend conference trips into leisure stays with family or colleagues—Crowne Plaza Bowling Green enters 2027 poised for a banner year, anchoring regional commerce and setting a new standard for full-service meetings and hospitality in Kentucky.