Erie, Pennsylvania, has all the makings of a sportscation destination, but don’t just take our word for it. Dione Masters of the Strongman Corporation shared her thoughts on hosting the Strongman Corporation National Championships in Erie in October 2022. Then, head to our website for more information on planning your event in Erie!
Premier Venues
The Strongman Corporation National Championships took place from October 13-15, 2022, at the Bayfront Convention Center in Erie, Pa. The 120,000-square-foot convention center boasts spectacular floor-to-ceiling views of Presque Isle Bay, and its Great Hall offers 28,000 square feet of column-free space.
“You really can’t find a better venue,” Masters said. “Once we saw how gorgeous the venue was, we couldn’t have been more excited to bring our athletes from all over the country to Erie.”
Less than 2 miles from Bayfront Convention Center, Erie Insurance Arena is Erie’s premier indoor multi-purpose arena. Located in the heart of downtown Erie, the arena features seating for nearly 7,000, a club level and luxury suites.
Outdoor sports event organizers will love the Erie Sports Center’s 10 outdoor grass fields that are complemented by a newly-renovated family fun park featuring mini golf, go-karts, batting cages and a restaurant.
Sportscation Destination
Erie is known as a Sportscation Destination due to our location on Lake Erie, sandy beaches, and a long list of family-friendly attractions spanning all four seasons. Erie features a year-round calendar of festivals and events and is part of one of the country’s largest wine regions.
“We were blown away by how many food and entertainment options were nearby,” Masters added. “Plus, the Erie Sports Commission worked with area restaurants to offer specials for our athletes to make sure they were prepared for their unique tastes and diets.”
In the winter, attendees can take in a hockey game with the OHL’s Erie Otters or enjoy the year-round tropical warmth of Splash Lagoon, named one of USA Today’s Top 10 Indoor Water Parks. In the summer, the AA Eastern League’s Erie SeaWolves take the field, and Waldameer Park and Water World entertains thousands of visitors.
A Winning Team That’s on Your Team
At the Erie Sports Commission, your event’s success is our success. When you host your sporting event in Erie, consider our team a part of your own.
“From day one, the Erie Sports Commission made an impression when they came out to visit one of our events,” Masters said. “They invited us to Erie, and once we stepped foot in Erie and saw their enthusiasm, we were excited to work with the Erie Sports Commission.”
When you work with the ESC, you’re working with a dedicated group of sports professionals with more than 40 years of live sports event planning and execution experience. The ESC team is ready to offer its support with venue procurement, hotel RFP distribution, local marketing support and grant funding.
Accessible, Drivable Destination
More than 200 athletes representing 37 states traveled to Erie for the Strongman Corporation National Championships, with nearly 90 percent of athletes coming from outside Pennsylvania.
“Traveling to Erie was easy for all of our athletes, including those who came from as far as California and Hawaii,” Masters said. “Some of our athletes bring equipment or their families and want to drive, while others appreciate the convenience of flying, so having that flexibility and ease for everyone was important.”
Erie’s location at the intersection of Interstates 79 and 90 makes it convenient to reach from any direction. Erie International Airport is a short drive from all of Erie’s premier venues, as well as more than 4,000 hotel rooms, and Erie is less than a 90-minute drive from Cleveland, Buffalo and Pittsburgh, making travel easy for athletes throughout the northeastern U.S. and Midwest.
“The Perfect Choice”
Erie isn’t just a location, it’s a Sportscation Destination – with plenty to do for your athletes to make experiences that cause them to return to your event year after year. With a friendly and experienced staff, premier venues and unbeatable views, hosting a successful event in Erie is as simple as emailing Ben Huggler at ben@eriesports.com.
“We were excited to bring our Strongman Corporation National Championships to Erie, and it was without a doubt the perfect choice,” Masters said. “The Erie Sports Commission showed as much care for our event as we and our athletes do and had the local connections to make planning the event as easy as could be.”
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