Visionary sports tourism executive to lead Cincy region’s strategy and expansion efforts to grow region’s share of booming market
CINCINNATI, OH – July 2, 2025 – The Cincinnati Regional Sports Commission today announced the appointment of Ben Huffman as its first-ever Executive Director, marking a major milestone in the region’s plan to become a leading destination for youth, collegiate, amateur, and professional sporting events. Huffman began his new role on June 23 and reports to the Commission’s Executive Board of Directors. The search committee was chaired by Tim Massa, Chief People Officer at The Kroger Co. and Brian Hodgett, Vice President of State Government Relations at Procter & Gamble.
Huffman brings nearly two decades of industry experience to the role, most recently serving as Director of Sports Tourism for the Warren County Convention & Visitors Bureau, where he led unprecedented growth in hosted events, created new tournaments, and consistently increased hotel room night bookings. Huffman took Warren County from $1 million in annual economic impact to more than $135 million and has delivered more than 100,000 hotel room nights every year since 2022.
He was instrumental in the development of the 128-acre Warren County Sports Park, and secured numerous national and international sporting events, including the 2018 and 2022 World Ultimate Frisbee Club Championship, 2022 and 2023 Pro Pickleball Association tour stops, 2009 and 2012 U.S. Australian Rules Football National Championships, as well as a variety of youth national championships in basketball, baseball, soccer and more. During his tenure, Warren County was twice recognized as National Sports Tourism Organization of the Year. Huffman also serves as Chair of TEAM Ohio Sports, a statewide initiative to drive athletic events to Ohio.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Ben Huffman as the founding Executive Director of the Cincinnati Regional Sports Commission,” said Gary Lindgren, CRSC Board Chair and President of the Cincinnati Business Committee. “Ben is a dynamic pacesetter in sports tourism who brings the passion, experience and collaborative mindset we need to grow this sector and elevate our region on the national stage.”
The creation of the Cincinnati Regional Sports Commission (CRSC) follows years of planning and due diligence by a public-private partnership that includes the Cincinnati Business Committee (CBC), the Cincinnati Regional Business Committee (CRBC), Visit Cincy, meetNKY, the City of Cincinnati, and Hamilton County. The mission: attract sporting events that generate economic impact, enhance regional visibility and promote active, healthy living throughout the Cincy region.
“Our opportunity with the Cincinnati Regional Sports Commission has transformative potential,” added Lindgren. “The successful launch is the result of a strong public-private partnership that’s committed to enhancing our region’s visibility and economic growth. It’s been a remarkable team effort that will deliver long-term impact.”
In his new role, Huffman will be responsible for developing and executing a strategic roadmap to attract, retain and manage a diverse portfolio of sporting events — from youth sports to large-scale collegiate events like NCAA regional and national championships to iconic events like the NFL Draft. He will also establish performance metrics including room night quotas, lead funding and sponsorship efforts, and work closely with partners to ensure successful bids and seamless event execution.
“The time is right for this bold move,” said Julie Calvert, Visit Cincy President & CEO and CRSC Board Member. “The sports events tourism industry is booming nationally and represents an important opportunity space for our region. Last year alone, sports tourism was a $114 billion industry nationwide, and more than 110 million people traveled for sports events of all kinds. With Ben’s leadership and our regional alignment in lock step, we’re ready to grow our share of that market.”
Huffman is a graduate of Miami University, where he earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education and served as a student manager and volunteer assistant with the men’s basketball team. Prior to his work in Warren County, he worked as Assistant Director of the Alumni Association at Miami University, managing programming for over 45 alumni chapters nationwide. He lives in Cincinnati with his wife and their six children.
“This opportunity is personal and professional for me,” said Huffman. “I’ve seen firsthand how sports can bring people together and transform communities. The Cincinnati region has incredible potential to be a powerhouse in sports tourism. I’m honored to help lead the charge and put us on the map — not just for youth sports, but for marquee national events that create lasting impact.”
According to a study conducted by Tourism Economics, the sports tourism industry generated $47.1 billion in direct spending in 2024, leading to $114.4 billion in total economic impact and supporting 664,860 jobs nationwide.
About the Cincinnati Regional Sports Commission
The Cincinnati Regional Sports Commission is a newly formed organization focused on attracting and supporting professional, collegiate, amateur and youth sporting events that drive economic growth, elevate awareness of the Cincy region, and promote active, healthy lifestyles. The CRSC operates through a strategic partnership among regional public and private stakeholders, including Visit Cincy, meetNKY, Hamilton County, the City of Cincinnati, the Cincinnati Business Committee and the Cincinnati Regional Business Committee.
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For Media Inquiries:
Ben Huffman
Email: bhuffman@cincysports.com
Cell: 513-461-1223
