Meet the talented team behind the Rochester NY Sports Commission, who works hard to ensure your future sporting event in Rochester will be a success.
Rich Mackey, Sports Sales Manager
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How long have you been with Visit Rochester/Rochester Sports Commission: I have been with the Rochester NY Sports Commission (Formerly Monroe County Sports Commission) for 17 years
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What markets do you work with: There are a variety of different sports that I focus on including hockey, soccer, baseball, softball and golf along with many others.
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What are you most looking forward to for the year ahead: I am really looking forward to events returning. I have always had a love for events and this past year really has me looking forward to hopefully having an opportunity to go to a Rochester Red Wings game and enjoy a hot dog while enjoying great weather and great baseball.
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What is your favorite place to take a first time visitor to Rochester: I really enjoy taking a first time visitor to the Rochester Public Market and Railroad Street. When the Market is not open there are still some great restaurants, Black Button Distillery and Rorhbach’s Brewing. There is something for everyone!
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Favorite Rochester Hidden Gem: The Hidden Sidewalk on Lake Ontario. There are some beautiful houses and great views of Lake Ontario. Having Ontario Beach Park nearby makes grabbing a frozen custard from Abbott’s and taking a walk on the beach an added bonus.
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Favorite festival or event: ROC Holiday Village has become a favorite for me. It is so fun to see everyone downtown enjoying the Holiday season in such a festive way.
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How do you order a Garbage Plate: Two cheeseburgers, French fries, mac salad, meat sauce, onions, mustard, ketchup & tabasco.
Libby Craig, Sports Sales Manager
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How long have you been with Visit Rochester/Rochester Sports Commission: I have been with the Sports Commission for 4.5 years.
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What markets do you work with: I currently work with the Volleyball, Lacrosse, Aquatics, Track & Field, Basketball, Bowling, Cheer, Dance, Fencing and Shooting Sports markets, just to name a few!
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What are you most looking forward to for the year ahead: I'm getting very excited to host events again - whether it be this year or next, we have a great lineup of future events and I’m looking forward to rethinking the ways we have approached some annual events and welcoming in new organizers and organizations to the Rochester area moving forward
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What is your favorite place to take a first time visitor to Rochester: I love bringing visitors to the rooftop of the Genesee Brew House. The views of the High Falls of the Genesee River are extraordinary.
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Favorite Rochester Hidden Gem: Our Erie canal towns and abundant water access throughout the community.
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Favorite festival or event: My favorite annual festival is the Rochester Jazz Festival, and one of my favorite annual events is the Rochester Twilight Criterium. It’s awesome to be downtown during both of these events that showcase vibrancy in the city and to experience so much talent, musically and athletically, at our fingertips.
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How do you order a Garbage Plate: Mac salad, French fries, chicken fingers, meat sauce, onions & ketchup (mouthwatering deliciousness)!
Dave Samentello, Sales Account Executive
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How long have you been with Visit Rochester? I have been with Visit Rochester for 3 years, and before that was with the sports commission for 2 years before it officially became part of Visit Rochester.
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What markets do you work with? I cover our engineering, LGBTQ+, and sports meetings markets.
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What are you most looking forward to in 2021? I’m looking forward to events returning to Rochester. There are so many great festivals, shows, and sporting events that have been missed over the last year that I’m looking forward to being able to experience again with friends and family.
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What is your favorite place to take a first time visitor to Rochester? High Falls. It’s a very unique feature for a city to have a waterfall right in downtown as well as the oldest brewery in NYS overlooking it.
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What’s your top choice for a Rochester Hidden Gem? Turning Point Park. It’s a great place to take a relaxing walk on the Genesee River and see a side of Rochester you might not expect.
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Rochester is known for our festivals – which one is your favorite? The Rochester International Jazz Festival. The city really comes to life during the festival and I think it’s really cool to be able to walk through downtown with so much live music and energy right on the streets.
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How do you order a Garbage Plate: Two hamburgers, home fries, mac salad, ketchup and mustard.
