The Erie Sports Commission was recognized as a finalist for the 2026 Destination Branding & Marketing Campaign of the Year and Event Marketing Campaign of the Year by the Sports Events and Tourism Association (Sports ETA), the trade association for the sports tourism industry in the U.S. The announcement was made at the Sports ETA 4S Summit held in Fort Worth, Texas.
“This recognition is a tremendous honor and reflects the strength of our marketing efforts and the partnerships that help make sports tourism successful in Erie County,” said Ben Huggler, executive director of the Erie Sports Commission. “These campaigns were designed to showcase Erie as a premier sports destination, and we are proud to see that work recognized by industry leaders.”
The Erie Sports Commission was named a finalist in the Destination Branding & Marketing Campaign of the Year (Population under 500,000) category for its “Erie for the Win” campaign, developed in partnership with Red House Communications. The campaign showcases the region’s unique landmarks, attractions and sporting facilities, highlighting Erie County as a winning destination for sporting events.
The Erie Sports Commission also earned finalist recognition in the Event Marketing Campaign of the Year (Population under 500,000) category for its marketing support of the 2025 CCA Women’s D2 Tip-Off Classic. Hosted by Gannon University and PennWest Edinboro University, the women’s basketball preseason tournament took place Nov. 7-9, 2025, and featured eight teams, including three of the top five teams in the country, as ranked in the WBCA NCAA Division II Preseason Top 25 Women’s Basketball Coaches Poll.
“We're continually impressed by the creativity, innovation and results-driven work happening across the sports events and tourism industry, and this year's submissions were no exception,” said John David, president and CEO of Sports ETA. “The finalists emerged from a highly competitive field and represent outstanding examples of how strategic marketing can strengthen destinations, attract events and engage audiences.”
