Executive director for new sports commission ready to bring big events to Cincy
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Executive director for new sports commission ready to bring big events to Cincy
Ben Huffman is the new executive director of the Cincinnati Sports Commission. The first large event they are working toward is the NFL Draft in 2028 or later. Cincinnati was the only top 50 metro city without a sports commission. Huffman spent almost two decades as the director of Sports Tourism for the Warren County Convention and Visitors Bureau. He says they will play to Cincinnati’s strengths for bidding for large events and expand the impact it will have on the region’s economy.”We’ve had some discussions with the NFL, several good meetings with them,” said Julie Calvert, the president and CEO of Visit Cincy. “It’s starting to feel real,” Huffman said.
What You Need To Know Ben Huffman is the new executive director of the Cincinnati Sports Commission
Huffman says they will play to Cincinnati’s strengths for bidding for large events
The first large event they are working toward is the NFL Draft in 2028 or later
It’s been a long time coming. Cincinnati was the only top 50 metro city without a sports commission. But now, a new executive director is getting that ball rolling and planning to bring some major sporting events to the Queen City.
Ben Huffman is no stranger to Cincinnati sports.
“I grew up a Reds fan,” Huffman said. “So 700 reaches all the way up to northwest Ohio. So we listen to the Reds and it’s really fun to have professional teams all have success.
A Bowling Green native and a Cincinnati transplant for the majority of his adult life, Huffman spent almost two decades as the director of Sports Tourism for the Warren County Convention and Visitors Bureau. And is now ready to lead the Cincinnati sports tourism scene.
“Because I’ve been in the suburban county in this community for years, I’ve seen from the outside in the opportunity that this region has to host some really large things,” he said.
The first order of business, besides filling out his commission, is bringing some of the world’s largest events here, which includes a bid for the NFL Draft.
“The Bengals and Visit Cincy provided an expression of interest for 28 and on,” he said. “Currently they’re looking for a host for 28 but also the years to follow.”
“We’ve had some discussions with the NFL, several good meetings with them,” said Julie Calvert, the president and CEO of Visit Cincy. “And we’re at a place where we’re starting to settle on where we want to do this and it’s starting to feel real.”
For Calvert, the addition of the Cincinnati Sports Commission will be a difference-maker for the region.
“For him to bring that quality of excellence here to what we want to do in Cincinnati with the right corporate support, the right financial support, the right political support, it’s set up for amazing success,” she said.
For Huffman, he says that’s key and the fact that he gets to be a part of history and bring more sports, tourism and economic impact to the city he’s grown to love is a perfect fit.
“The sports commission here has been needed for a long time, and one that is funded correctly and has the right partners in place really helps us get off to the right foot,” Huffman said.
Huffman shared that while they are looking into building a new arena to widen the types of events that Cincinnati can bid on, the focus is to hone in the strengths the city has to offer right now.