DMO/Sports Commission Profile

Pete Harvey

DMO/Sports Commission Profile

What is your title, and how long have you held the Buffalo Niagara Sports Commission position?

My title is Director of Sport Development. I have been in this position since 2007.

What brought you to the city? What keeps you there? What do you love the most about it?

I came to Buffalo under unique circumstances. I had been in Florida for many years in the hospitality and sports marketing business when my 3-year old daughter was diagnosed with brain cancer in early 2005. We needed to be around family, so we moved to Buffalo. My daughter, after an incredible battle, has done very well. She is now a college freshman. She is my hero.

I love this city, the people, and their passion for sports, food, and fun. Buffalo is what keeps me here.

Name one word that describes the city and its people.

I think the one word that describes Buffalo and its people is friendly. Buffalo is known as “The City of Good Neighbors,” and I think people try to live up to that. It’s a place where people go out of their way to make you feel welcome.

What are your major tourist attractions, and how do they play a part in your event solicitation efforts?

There is an abundance of things to do in Buffalo, but it certainly helps that we have one of the Wonders of the World just down the road. In my experience, there’s no one – no matter what their background is – who isn’t interested in seeing Niagara Falls. Everyone I’ve ever taken there has been blown away by the experience.

Buffalo is also known for its cultural attractions. Two that rise to the top for most people are the Albright-Knox Art Gallery and the Darwin Martin House. The Albright has one of the most significant collections of modern art globally, and the Darwin Martin House is considered one of the grandest houses ever designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Both attract people from across the United States and Canada.

We’ve also invested hundreds of millions of dollars in rebuilding our waterfront in recent years. Canalside is the place to go for kayaking, paddle boarding, water biking, and to grab some sun along the boardwalk. There’s also fantastic sport fishing in Lake Erie and a big sailing community.

What are the must-do experiences in Buffalo Niagara? Are they youth, family, and sports-focused?

When in Buffalo, do what Buffalonians do and go out for wings. The original buffalo wing started at the Anchor Bar; the place rocks most days with locals and out-of-towners. There’s also the Buffalo Wing Trail featuring a dozen of the best wing joints in the region where you can try various wing styles – all in old school Buffalo bars and taverns.

For what sports is the Buffalo Niagara area known? Are they so because you have a state of the art facilities catering to those sports?

Buffalo is a hockey town. We have some fantastic facilities. The Northtown Center at Amherst has four sheets and is a favorite place for USA Hockey age group national championships.

The LECOM Harborcenter is a unique facility. There are 2 NHL size rinks on the 6th and 7th floor of the Marriott hotel. This hotel and ice facility are also attached to the Key Bank Center, home to our Buffalo Sabres.

Another popular venue is Riverworks. Riverworks ropes course, kayaking, roller derby, and a great bar has two outdoor rinks used for Summer sports like lacrosse and cornhole, inside an entertainment facility. They have hatchet throwing, escape rooms, a ropes course, kayaking, roller derby, and a great bar and restaurant.

Describe Buffalo Niagara tourism’s seasonality and how you use it in your approach to recruit and create new events.

Peak season for Buffalo tourism runs from May through October – we have some of the best summers and falls in the entire country, that is the time to experience Buffalo at its best. That said, Buffalo can be a unique experience in the wintertime, especially when the Falls freeze over. During frigid winters, an ice bridge forms across the Niagara sunset over Lake Erie, is the perfect way within walking distance of many hotels River connecting the United States with Canada. It really should be on everyone’s bucket list.

From the local

If a visitor only had time for one meal in your city, what should they eat & from where?

Buffalo has a fantastic food scene. Renowned food critic Michael Stern called Buffalo “one of the great eating cities.” The co-author of Eat Your Way Across the USA even declared that no city – “except maybe New Orleans” – has as many regional specialties as Buffalo. That being said, you are in Buffalo; ya gotta have the Wings! I leave the place to have them up to you because there are so many great spots, but yeah, try the wings!

Where is the happiest happy hour?

Pearl Street Grill and Brewery would be the spot I choose for Happy Hour. The 3rd-floor patio, with a view of the to start winding down the day. They offer a great craft beer selection in addition to a tasty menu. Pearl Street is downtown and within walking distance of many hotels and sports venues.

Your best travel tip?

My best travel tip is to be respectful to everyone as you travel. The airport checkin people, your fellow passengers, Uber drivers. Everyone. Yes, I know travel is sometimes stressful, but getting upset and yelling and treating people poorly rarely helps or solves the challenge.