The excitement is building in Green Bay as the outlines of the 2025 NFL Draft stage are starting to take shape in Lot 4 and Oneida Street. For Packers staff, many of whom have celebrated Super Bowls, this is a new kind of thrill – one that’s rooted in community pride and teamwork.
Even Wisconsin artists are getting in on the action, with one local artist chosen by the NFL to create an art installation for the player walkway. This is more than just a sports event; it’s a celebration of Green Bay’s culture, history and spirit.
Building the Dream: A “Lego-Like” Process
For Packers director of public affairs Aaron Popkey, watching the draft come together is like building something from scratch.
“It’s like when you get your Legos out of the box for the first time and you separate all the pieces and then you start building,” Popkey said. “It’s been years in the making, working with the organization, local sponsors and the NFL. Thanks to our partnerships with key organizations, Green Bay is going to host one of the most epic drafts in NFL history.”
Hosting the NFL Draft was a team effort—and Mike Haddad of Schreiber Foods was right at the center of that. He chaired the Green Bay NFL Draft Host Committee.
“Mark Murphy came to us and said, ‘I want to make the draft happen here in Green Bay. Can you help me?’” Haddad recalled. “Our job was to find some of the best organizations in the area to bring that vision to life.
One of the first calls Haddad made was to Associated Bank—a bank that’s been synonymous with Packers history since 1919.
Associated Bank: A Century-Old Partnership
Associated Bank’s ties to the Packers run deep. That relationship goes back a century. “We’ve been the Packers’ bank for 106 years,” said Andy Harmening, president & CEO of Associated Bank. “When the question came up a few years ago—’If we get the draft, will you support us?’—the answer was a quick yes.
That commitment was reinforced recently when Harmening announced at an internal town hall for Associated Bank employees that the company had renewed its partnership with the Packers for another decade. That dedication is to both the team and the community that supports it.
Associated Bank was one of the first—and most vocal—companies in the community to say, “We’ll help you host this event,” Popkey noted.
Six Years of Persistence Pays Off
Six years of persistence—and a healthy dose of perseverance—finally pay off in Green Bay. Haddad looks back on that journey with pride—and a sense of accomplishment that comes from seeing a vision through to the end.
“That pride in achievement is something I feel lucky to have experienced,” he says. “I remember when this was just an idea, a twinkle in the eye.”
The hard work of countless individuals and organizations is finally paying off. National attention is coming to Titletown in a big way.
Final Preparations Underway
Final preparations are really ramping up now as the draft approaches. Nick Meisner, part of the planning team, gave an update at the town hall. “The NFL is very happy with where we are from a planning perspective,” he said. “We’re just putting the finishing touches on everything.”
Meisner advises local businesses—especially those near the draft footprint—to get ready for a lot more traffic. “Be prepared to serve quickly,” he tells them. “Those businesses around the footprint need to be ready for that influx of people.”
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