Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau Creates Sports Commission to Drive Tourism

The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau has announced the formation of the Pocono Mountains Sports, Entertainment & Film Commission to promote sports tourism for the benefit of the local communities.

The Pocono Mountains Sports, Entertainment & Film Commission is an operating entity of the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau and was founded by Chris Barrett, president/chief executive officer of PMVB; Brian Bossuyt, executive vice president/chief marketing officer of PMVB; Ben May, president of Pocono Raceway; John Oakes, chief executive officer of Poconos Park; and Ralph Lucchese, chief executive officer of Lucchese Media.

“The formation of the Pocono Mountains Sports, Entertainment & Film Commission marks a significant milestone in our efforts to leverage the natural beauty and existing infrastructure of the Poconos to attract major events and productions,” said Barrett. “We are excited about the economic opportunities this will bring to our communities.”

Community and business leaders from across Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Wayne Counties have come together to serve on the commission.

“The Poconos has diverse venues and landscapes, ranging from large facilities such as Pocono Raceway and the Amphitheater at Poconos Park to quaint downtown streets, the Sherman Theater, Milford Theater, and beautiful forests, lakes, rivers, and waterfalls,” said Oakes. “These attributes uniquely position us to host a variety of events and productions. The commission will help us tap into new markets, grow our audience, entertain locals, and create job opportunities.”

The commission’s first major initiative is the establishment of the Poconos Film Office, designed to attract film and television productions to the region. Lucchese will lead the day-to-day operations of the Poconos Film Office. One of the anchor locations of the region, Pocono Raceway, hosted this past Sunday the NASCAR Cup Series as part of a full weekend of racing that comes to the track annually.

“The Pocono Mountains have a rich history in sports and entertainment,” said May. “By promoting these strengths, we can build a sustainable future that benefits everyone in our community.”