Welcome to Erie, Pennsylvania’s fifth largest city and Pennsylvania’s only Port on the Great Lakes. Located on beautiful Presque Isle Bay and Lake Erie, Erie is a short drive from the major metropolitan areas of Buffalo, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Toronto via Interstates 79, 90 or scenic routes such as Route 5 (The Great Lakes Seaway Trail - An America’s Byway™), and Historic Pennsylvania Route 6. Erie is home to approximately 260,000 residents and is a true gem of Lake Erie. The Erie region offers a wide range of fun, affordable things to do. Erie’s easy to navigate street system allows for little to no traffic headaches, making it effortless to get from point to point. Set your course for our welcoming shores and get ready for a stress-free, relaxing adventure.
Mission Statement: VisitErie is the leader of marketing Erie’s tourism industry and promoting its economic growth.
The Erie Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (EACVB) was formed as a division of the Erie Area Chamber of Commerce in 1961 and was formally named the “Erie Tourist and Convention Bureau”. The EACVB separated from the Erie Area Chamber of Commerce in July 2001 and became a stand-alone 501(c)6 organization. The Bureau was re-designated the official Tourism Promotion Agency for Erie County, and in October 2007, the Erie Area Convention & Visitors Bureau officially changed its name to VisitErie. Since its separation from the Erie Area Chamber of Commerce, VisitErie has taken on the responsibility for managing three visitor centers (I-90 Eastbound near OH/PA border, I-79 Northbound (near Edinboro) during the summer months, staff the Erie Visitor Center located inside the Tom Ridge Environmental Center, established a Convention Sales & Services Department, a Communications Department and the Erie Sports Commission.
As Erie County’s official Destination Marketing Organization, VisitErie provides visitors and residents with the most up-to-date information on Erie’s tourism product through the annual Erie Visitors Guide, ‘Hello Erie’ trip planner app, the VisitErie.com website, social media channels and other relevant materials.
Erie’s tourism industry is the second largest in Erie County, annually generating more than $1.2 billion in visitor spending and more than 15,000 jobs. Though Erie is known for its busy summer season, VisitErie and its partners are working to transform the Erie area into a four-season destination, offering fun affordable activities for all types of audiences.
VisitErie Staff:
John Oliver, President and CEO, ext. 128
Emily Biddle, Director of Marketing and Research, ext. 149
Christine Temple, Director of Communications, ext. 136
Janice Friedrichsmeyer, Director of Partnership, ext. 132
Hannah Stancliff, Director of Convention Sales and Services, ext. 155
Mary Morgan, Marketing Coordinator, ex. 139
Mary Lou Schuler-Karr, Administrative Coordinator, ext. 121
Erie Sports Commission Staff:
Mark Jeanneret, Executive Director, ext. 138
Ben Huggler, Event Services Director, ext. 131
Chris Rosato, Jr., Events and Marketing Manager, ext. 135
VisitErie Board of Directors:
Board Chair - Carla Higgins, ERIEBANK
Vice-Chair - Gus Pine, Bayfront Convention Center
Treasurer - Terry Cascioli, Decision Associates
Secretary - Elliott Ehrenreich, Phillips Lytle LLP
Past Chair - Brian Gorman, Waldameer Park and Water World
Troy Bingham, Erie Sports Center
Lisa Goddard-McGuirk, Gannon University
Matthew Greene, Presque Isle State Park, DCNR
Paul Leroux, Cobblestone Inn and Suites
Anne Lewis, Red Letter Hospitality
Aaron Loncki, City of Erie
Michael Malpiedi, iHeart Media Erie
Derek Martin, Erie International Airport
Vicke Marz, Victoria Inn
David Poor, AAA East Central
Jennifer Reed, Relish Inc.
Chris Scott, Scott Enterprises
Brian Shank, Erie County Council
Jim Sparber, County of Erie
Karen Thomas, Pineapple Eddie Southern Bistro
Matthew White, Erie Events
Chances are, you are planning your trip to Erie. Why not download your free guide that's been put together right here, by those who know the region the best!