The Erie Sports Commission, a division of VisitErie – Erie County’s official destination marketing organization, announced the appointment of Ben Huggler as interim executive director, effective May 4, 2026. Huggler was promoted after Erie Sports Commission Executive Director Mark Jeanneret was named interim president and CEO of VisitErie.
Huggler has more than 15 years of experience in planning and executing large-scale national events and has served as the event services director of the Erie Sports Commission since 2018. During that time, the Erie Sports Commission was recognized by Sports Events & Tourism Association, the nonprofit trade association for the sport tourism industry in the U.S., with the 2023 Sports Commission of the Year and Event Marketing Campaign of the Year awards.
“Ben has long been a valuable member of the Erie Sports Commission and has shown over the years that he is more than ready for the challenge of this new role,” Jeanneret said. “He’s a consummate professional with outstanding communication and organizational skills and has a proven ability to create/foster relationships that lead to impactful events.”
As event services director, the organization hosted or supported more than 675 events, generating $120 million in estimated economic impact for the region. Huggler helped grow the Erie Sports Commission’s event portfolio from 57 events in 2018 to 86 in 2025, including the 2021 NCAA Women’s Frozen Four, 2022 Great Race and the 2024 Major League Fishing General Tire Team Series.
Huggler holds the Sports Tourism Strategist (STS) designation through Sports ETA, serves on the board of directors for the Erie to Pittsburgh Trail Alliance, and is a member of the Government Affairs committee with PA Sports.
“I’m incredibly thankful for Mark’s steady leadership and the foundation he’s built for our team and our community.” Huggler said. “I look forward to building on that momentum and advancing sports tourism as a key driver of Erie’s continued economic success.”
