The Sports Events and Tourism Association (Sports ETA) has named the Erie Sports Commission its 2022 Sports Commission of the Year in the under 500,000 population category. The award was announced during the Sports ETA Symposium, an annual meeting of destinations and event organizers that comprise Sports ETA, the sports events and tourism industry’s trade association.
“It is a great honor to receive this award from our peers, knowing that our work in 2022 rose above the hundreds of other sports commissions across the country that are included in the population under 500,000 category,” Erie Sports Commission Executive Director Mark Jeanneret said. “The award wouldn’t be possible without a great team. I am extremely fortunate to work alongside Ben Huggler (Event Services Director) and Chris Rosato Jr. (Events and Marketing Manager) on a daily basis, and their expertise – combined with the support of VisitErie and the great partnerships we have developed with event organizers and local venue operators – has been paramount to our success.”
The Erie Sports Commission set organizational records in 2022 by hosting and supporting 74 events that generated more than $20.8 million in estimated economic impact throughout Erie County. Notable events included the Keystone State Wrestling Championships, The Great Race, VNEA World Junior Pool Championships, and the Strongman Corporation National Championships.
“This recognition is a testament to the Erie Sports Commission’s dedication to creating exceptional sports experiences for athletes, spectators, and the Erie region,” VisitErie President and CEO John Oliver said. “Their tireless efforts to raise the bar for sports tourism events and showcase the best of what Erie has to offer have truly paid off. We applaud their continued commitment to promoting sports tourism and economic development in our community.”
Huggler was also named a finalist for the Sports ETA Rising Star Award, while the Barber Beast on the Bay was named a finalist for Event Impact of the Year. The Erie Sports Commission was previously named the National Sports Commission of the Year by Sports ETA (then named the National Association of Sports Commissions) in 2014 and 2016.
This national recognition follows the announcement by SportsEvents magazine in February that the Erie Sports Commission had been named the No. 1 All-Star Destination Partner in its 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards.
