Visit Sarasota County

Thank you Robert Skrob, Suzanne Hurst, CAE, Carol Dover and to the teams at Destinations Florida and Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA) for a meaningful #TourismDay in Tallahassee. Not only was it fantastic to spend time with industry colleagues from Sarasota County (and from around the State) - it was incredibly insightful to hear from our legislators on what is happening this session. Thank you Sen. Joe Gruters, Rep. Fiona McFarland & Rep. James Buchanan for taking the time to meet with us on matters impacting tourism - the top industry in Florida. Wes Santos Gil Reyes Hunter Carpenter, MA, APR

Congratulations to our very own Suzanne Scully Hackman, CDME, for being recognized as a 2025 Smart Woman #Visionary in Meetings by Smart Meetings ?? ???With this honor, Suzanne joins a network now 1,000 women strong, all of whom contribute in unique ways to make the meetings and events industry a powerful force for good in the world. Exactly one-year ago today, Suzanne joined our team as Director of Sales & Industry Relations ?? And every day since, she has worked diligently to attract groups for meetings, conferences and exhibitions, providing those visiting with exceptional hospitality, personal attention, and industry connection. In her owns, "confidence, integrity and transparency will always win." And we couldn't agree more! Check out her full testimonial: https://lnkd.in/ewsBfpDz ???? Please join us in celebrating Suzanne on this career milestone! ?? ?? #SmartWomenInMeetings #SmartMeetings #WomenInLeadership #EmployeeAppreciation

Resting on our laurels is ?? a strategy. Especially when local businesses are relying on tourism – our community’s top industry – more than ever this Spring. I had the pleasure of speaking with Elizabeth King at the Business Observer about Visit Sarasota County's new marketing campaign – #SarasotaKeysAreCalling – and how we're ensuring local businesses along and around our barrier islands are seen, supported, and sought-after this Spring Break and beyond. ?? Throughout March and into early Summer, we’re reminding travelers why they fell in love with Siesta Key, Longboat Key, and all our keys in the first place, with upbeat, visually engaging content on Facebook and Instagram @visitsarasotacounty. ?? To our locals: Treat yourself to an adventure along our barrier islands this season – and tell them Visit Sarasota sent you!?

Big thanks to Jim Byers for the wonderful story highlighting all that makes Sarasota County so special! We're thrilled to see our destination through your lens and grateful for the opportunity to share our unique charm with your readers. We also extend our appreciation to VISIT FLORIDA and Lodgco Hospitality and Cindy Moore, CMP for their partnership in making this visit happen. Collaborations like this help us showcase the best of what Florida has to offer. #ThankYou #VisitFlorida #MediaCoverage #FloridaTourism #TravelWriter #Partnerships #VisitSarasotaCounty #LodgcoHopsitality

Big thanks to Jim Byers for the wonderful story highlighting all that makes Sarasota County so special! We're thrilled to see our destination through your lens and grateful for the opportunity to share our unique charm with your readers. We also extend our appreciation to VISIT FLORIDA and Lodgco Hospitality and Cindy Moore, CMP for their partnership in making this visit happen. Collaborations like this help us showcase the best of what Florida has to offer. #ThankYou #VisitFlorida #MediaCoverage #FloridaTourism #TravelWriter #Partnerships #VisitSarasotaCounty #LodgcoHopsitality

National Travel and Tourism Week is ready for takeoff! Join the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, SRQ Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, and Visit Sarasota County at SRQ Airport’s new terminal for an unforgettable event celebrating the power of travel. We’ve prepared an itinerary full of “in-flight” entertainment: ?? Runway Full of Rhythm: Delight in live music in the concourse throughout the night. ?? Taste the Best: Enjoy a first-class sampling of local bites with Anna Maria Oyster Bar & Patrick's 1481. ??? A Raffle Ready for Takeoff: For every ticket purchased, your name will be entered into exciting raffles, including Allegiant plane tickets and comped airport transfers from Dolphin Transportation Specialists. ?? Honoring the Crew: We’ll recognize the hardworking travel and tourism professionals – and advocates – who make our region soar. ?? Reserve your ticket today before this party takes off: https://lnkd.in/eDshan8h

Nature at its Best! ?? Thrilled to see Myakka River State Park featured in Travel + Leisure! One of Florida’s oldest and largest state parks, Myakka offers breathtaking landscapes, diverse wildlife, and unforgettable outdoor experiences. Big thanks to Travel + Leisure Co. for showcasing this natural gem! FRIENDS OF MYAKKA RIVER #MyakkaRiver #FloridaNature #TravelandLeisure

Thank you Herald-Tribune Media Group for giving us at Visit Sarasota County the opportunity to share with your readers more about Tourist Development Tax (TDT). So many aren't aware of what it is, where it comes from - and how it benefits all - tourists and residents alike! Sometimes referred to as bed or resort tax, TDT (here in Sarasota County) is a 6% charge on short-term accommodation stays of less than six months. It may then come as no surprise that you’ll hear the term “heads in beds” often in our industry. Traditionally, emphasis for tourism marketing efforts is placed on attracting visitors who will check into our hotels, resorts, boutique properties, or vacation rentals – so they contribute to our county’s TDT collection. And yes, even Airbnb and Vrbo stays count. (Click below to read more.)

?? Tourism U's next class is in session?? Build your own AI-powered virtual assistant with AI consultant Luigi Bertolini. This interactive workshop will guide you through the process of creating a voice AI agent. Learn how to design conversational flows and deploy your agent to enhance your customer service and streamline operations. The best part? No coding experience required. ?? Thursday, April 10, 2025 ? 2:00pm - 3:30pm ?? North Port Area Chamber of Commerce ?? Join us for Happy Hour at Anna Maria Oyster Bar, right next door immediately following the workshop. ??? Grab your Seat: https://lnkd.in/ehsW3ywD ?? If you're interested in even greater visibility, email Hunter Carpenter, MA, APR ?? [email protected] about sponsorship opportunities for Tourism U and beyond.

Let’s talk travel, because research tells us that it’s on your mind. Some 32% of travelers have already booked a trip for 2025, and 4 out of 5 U.S. adults have their sights set on a vacation within the next 12 months – an increase of 7% from last year alone. This macro rise in the global tourism industry is driven by equally macro trends. Part of our role at Visit Sarasota County is to assess which of these trends is a flash in the pan and which could fuel a fire that’ll last for years to come – and invest our marketing dollars accordingly. Click below to read more… Thank you SRQ Media Group for the opportunity to share this message. ??