Visit Mercer County PA Retirement Party for Peggy M. Program 2024
Thursday, September 26, 2024
4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Buhl Mansion Guesthouse and Spa
Photo: Record Argus
To those who work alongside her, Peggy Mazyck is synonymous with Mercer Country tourism.
Peggy has served as President/CEO of VisitMercerCountyPA (VMCPA) since its inception in 1996. She is about to retire from her post at the end of September 2024 after 28 years at the helm. The county’s tourism marketing was originally operated under the umbrella of the Shenango Valley Chamber of Commerce where Peggy was the Assistant Executive Director from 1990 through 1996. So, in reality, Peggy has been the “commander in chief” of the tourism world in Mercer County, PA for 34 years.
Messages From Current and Past Chairpersons
What do people think of when they hear the words “Mercer County, PA” and “Tourism” in the same sentence? We would say PEGGY MAZYCK!
VisitMercerCountyPA Board Chairpersons from the last 28 years would like to express our appreciation to our fearless leader.
Peggy and I worked on tourism together in her early 1990s chamber days. After 10 years away, I moved home in 2003 to a stand-alone visitor’s bureau with Peggy at the helm and we have been working side-by-side ever since. Peggy: you are a visionary and a leader; you are calm and soft-spoken, yet strong and resilient; always fair and equitable; and you are a friend. I wish you health, happiness and peace in your retired life! With much love and respect,
~ Laura Ackley
Buhl Mansion, Donna’s Diner, and Tara - A Country Inn
Working with Peggy over the years to promote tourism in Mercer County has been a privilege and an honor. I have learned so much by working with her on projects, such as the rebuilding of Wendell August Forge and WaterFire Sharon PA, that have truly made a lasting impact on our county and region both for tourism and economically. Congratulations, Peggy, on a job well done!
~ Karen Anderson WaterFire Sharon PA
Peggy, Working with you for 23 of your 28 years as our strategic leader has been a perfect partnership—you have shown me what it is to be a strong leader. May you travel to all the beautiful places you have dreamed about in your retirement. XO
~ Michele Czerwinski Grove City Premium Outlets
I am deeply grateful to have worked with Peggy for the last 15 years. Not only has she taught me so much about Mercer County and tourism as a whole, but she has been a trusted mentor and role model. She always makes time for others and leads by example, her advice and insights have been instrumental in my personal and career growth.
~ Stacey Glenn American Hospitality Group
Congratulations, Peggy, on your retirement. Few people have a chance to impact their community in even the slightest way. You have done so much to shine a light on tourism and this region. Thrilled to have worked with you. Best of luck.
~ David Grande First National Bank
I first met Peggy way back in junior high school in the 1960’s. Even then it was apparent that she was a leader. Well done!
~ Mark Jubelier Reyers Shoe Store
Congratulations on a job well done. What you have done has put us on the map literally and made Mercer county a place to live and a tourist destination. Thank you for using your remarkable talents and skills to fuel the business community in Mercer County. Good luck and God’s blessings.
~ Sue Kochhar Super 8
In my opinion, as a 40 year member of a 100 million dollar charitable foundation, Peggy is the utmost in knowledge and professionalism.
- John J. Raskob IV Big Dog RC
Life is short, get Carried Away! Enjoy your retirement.
- Casey Schilling Carried Away Outfitters
Thank you, Peggy for all you’ve done in tourism in Mercer County and our region. Enjoy your well-deserved retirement!
~ Senator Michele Brooks
Peggy, congratulations on your retirement! This marks the beginning of a new journey filled with endless possibilities and well-deserved relaxation. Enjoy every moment!
~ Jim Bombeck
ShenangoValleyChamberofCommerce
Congratulations, Peggy!
Thank you for your amazing and tireless work for the betterment of Mercer County! With heartfelt gratitude,
~ Beth Black
GroveCityAreaChamberofCommerce
On behalf of M. K. Goddard State Park, congratulations on your retirement and thank you for your efforts promoting outdoor recreation in Mercer County!
~ Mark Scarpitti, M. K. Goddard State Park
Annual Dinners Through the Years
On behalf of the City of Sharon, thank you for your years of service to our community and congratulations on your retirement!
Peggy was the recipient of the 2018 Shenango Valley Chamber of Commerce Phoenix Trailblazer Award and the 2023 Thiel College Business Professional of the Year Award.
Peggy is a legend in the tourism industry even farther away than Mercer County. Peggy served as the president of the regional alliance Pennsylvania’s Great Lakes Region; plus, she served on the board of directors of the Pennsylvania Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus and numerous other tourism-related organizations.
“She developed very strong relationships” in Harrisburg and across the commonwealth and “helped put Mercer County on the map with people in Harrisburg,” said Mark Longietti who served 16 years in the commonwealth’s House of Representatives, including 12 on its tourism committee.
Clockwise from top right: Golf Show and Bus Show displays
Our mobile billboard
Most recent Visitors Guide, and Original Visitors Guide
Everyone at Cobblehaus wishes Peggy a long and wonderful retirement. We appreciate all Peggy has done for Mercer County.
Peggy Mazyck’s Tourism Legacy
Throughout Peggy’s reign at VMCPA, the county’s official tourist promotion agency, she was a visionary and a leader. When the agency was formed, the budget was very sparse, and several individuals were contributing to the marketing funds to provide enough money to promote the county. At that time only the cities of Pittsburgh and Philadelphia were allowed to collect a “bed tax” that was levied on the overnight hotel guests. Peggy and a few other persuasive county tourism directors, along with the help of Rod Wilt, who was at that time the area’s voice in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, were able to get legislature passed to collect 2% hotel excise tax. Since then, the county has seen an increase in the percentage and is now collecting 5% tax on hotel stays which has greatly increased the ability to market the area as a strong tourism destination.
Peggy grew the agency from a $100,000 budget in 1996 to a recordbreaking 1.1-million-dollar budget in 2024, with funds used to promote and help create tourist attractions throughout the county. She thinks outside the box and has initiated numerous programs, many of which have been copied statewide and by regional organizations. These programs include:
• Cooperative Advertising
• Tourism Attraction Development Grant
• Beautification Program
(Creating the “WOW” Factor)
• Support for Festival Marketing
• Local billboard program
• Mercer County Tourism Cash Giveaway
In her tenure as the head of VMCPA she spearheaded the Lake-to-Lake Paddle Challenge featuring the Shenango River, Pennsylvania’s “River of the Year”, with a 15 and 30-mile canoe and kayak challenge from Pymatuning Lake to Shenango Lake. But one of the highlights of Peggy’s career was developing the Mercer County Underground Railroad Tour, shedding light on the county’s proud heritage of providing safe travel and lodging for countless 19th-century slaves. As if foreshadowing her wonderful legacy, the Mercer County Branch of the NAACP bestowed the African-American Image Award to Peggy in 1998.
Each year at the VMCPA Annual Dinner, Peggy Mazyck presents The Bill Knecht Tourism Award and The James E. Winner, Jr. Initiative Award
Peggy has a daughter, Nicole, who is a registered nurse at University Hospital in Cleveland, OH. Her other immediate family member is Storm, a beautiful Siberian Husky, that she inherited when one of her brothers passed away.
My mother is a very smart and intelligent woman who put others first. Happy retirement Mom.
~ Love You, Nicole
Congratulations on your welldeserved retirement! After years of dedicated service in both public and government sectors, you’ve woven an impressive tapestry of achievement and leadership. Your tireless commitment and unwavering passion have not only shaped your career but also inspired everyone around you.
As you embark on this new chapter, may it be filled with joy, relaxation, and all the adventures you’ve dreamed of. Here’s to celebrating the incredible legacy you’ve built and to all the new experiences that await.
Cheers to a remarkable career and an even more amazing retirement!
~ With love and admiration, Your Daughter, Sister, Brothers, Nieces and extended family
Peggy is a Farrell High School graduate, has her undergraduate degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and has a Master of Business Administration (MBA) Degree from Youngstown State University.
Peggy, Congratulations on your retirement and your excellent career in tourism! God’s blessings on the next chapter of your life.
~ Descendants of Beulah Mazyck
Peggy, Sorry I’m unable to attend this special day. Miss you, love you. Sending blessings, prayers, happiness today and for the future.
~ Jean and Woody
The descendants of Elias and Orrie Mazyck congratulate you, Peggy, on your retirement and accomplishments! Here’s to happy years of leisure and relaxation!
~ Descendants of Elias and Orrie Mazyck
Aloha Peggy,
Congratulations on your retirement! We are very excited and happy for you!
~ All the best, Evelyn and your Hawaii family!
Happy retirement to one of the nicest and kindest people I know. Hope you get to play a lot of table tennis and stop taking it so hard if you lose.
~ Brent and family
Congratulations Peggy Mazyck!
On your successful and remarkable career in Tourism.
Your 28 years of dedicated service and commitment to the community have been significant.
Best Wishes in retirement and continued success in future endeavors.
Family, George W. Gibbs, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Torbert and Family
Mr. and Mrs. James Shephard and Family
Congratulations Peggy! You taught me the inner working of a Destination Marketing Organization. I am elated that you are being honored. It is well deserved
~ Dawn Holden
To our dear friend – pretty, perky Peggy. We have such fond memories of tourism days together! Best wishes on your retirement –
~ Love, JoAnn and Penny
Great working with you on the Underground Railroad Tour and City of Farrell Juneteenth Youth Public Speaking Contest. God Bless You as you enter a new adventure.
~ Roland Barksdale-Hall
Thank you for helping bring students and families to our beautiful area.
I have known Peggy Mazyck professionally for over 25 years. Over her long tenure at Visit Mercer County, PA, I have seen her develop our local tourism promotion agency into a regional powerhouse that has garnered statewide attention for their marketing and promotion of Mercer County. Peggy has become an expert in marketing small to midsize counties and drawing visitors from across the United States and Canada. Under her leadership, Visit Mercer County has been a strong supporter of economic development in our region, and has been a vital supporter of Penn-Northwest Development Corporation. As an organization, we have valued this relationship immensely, and we will miss working with Peggy on important projects that enhance the viability of the travel and tourism sector of our economy. We wish her all the best in her retirement!
~ Rod Wilt, Penn-Northwest Development Corporation
Views & Voices
July, 2014
Reprinted from Views & Voices
The heart of visit Mercer County. You can see Peggy Mazyck everywhere you look. Her vision for Mercer County tourism has inspired other County’s statewide. Mentor and beautiful friend. Enjoy retirement!!
~ Love Karen and Brian Zoccole
The Stambaugh Farmhouse and Venue
Peggy, Congratulations and best wishes on your retirement. Your promotion of the Apollo Mannerchor and the National Button Accordion Festival have been exemplary!
~ Ron Pivovar
Peggy, thank you for all you have done to help the Shenango River Watchers, WaterFire Sharon, and the Shenango Valley! You rock our world!
~ Brandi Baros
Many thanks to DJ’s Greenhouse & Kraynaks for loaning us all of the beautiful flowers this evening
Thank you for your service!
Peggy was a master sergeant (MSG), chief instructor/writer with the US Army Reserves where she served her country domestically and in the Middle East during Operation Desert Storm.
Congratulations on your retirement! Thank you for your service to our country and your dedication to growing tourism in Mercer County.
~ State Representative Parke Wentling
Reprinted from Valley Voices • September, 2020
Peggy, it has truly been a pleasure working alongside you for the past 17 years...thinking back on the early years, your guidance was instrumental in shaping my understanding of the travel and tourism industry. To learn this business from a true pioneer is the greatest professional gift I could have ever received. You built an amazing program and I am proud to say I shared part of the journey with you. I wish you all the best in your retirement...may your days be filled with long walks with Storm, epic Ping Pong matches and traveling this beautiful world we share with close friends and loved ones.
~ Sincerely and always, Carmen Aiello
Photo: Youngstown Business Journal
We thank you and salute you for your 28 years of service as the President CEO of Visit Mercer County PA. You are truly a visionary with a can-do attitude that has made Visit Mercer County what it is today through your dedication to developing successful programming not only to bring visitors but also to attract and strengthen the county’s assets. You are a consummate professional who always finds a way to make things happen and does not believe in the word “no.” Cheers to the Best in the Business!
