We’re heading into an exciting October, and one event we’re especially looking forward to is our annual Indicators & Insights Summit! It’s one of our favorite opportunities to bring our partners together, share what we’re seeing in the market and what we’re working on, and have meaningful conversations about how we can continue driving economic impact for our community—together.

This year, we have an incredible lineup of thought leaders sharing research and insights from the local, regional, and national level, including a look at how Sarasota County is stacking up against our competitive set. We’ll also hear from subject matter experts on sports tourism and the State of Florida.

Register today and join the conversation—we can’t wait to see you there!

In service,

Erin Duggan, CDME
President & CEO, Visit Sarasota County

Here are the numbers comparing August 2026 to August 2025:

Friendly reminder that your referrals matter! Recommend a local business to our partner program and share this information with partnership@visitsarasota.org, and for every successful referral that completes the onboarding process (including payment), you’ll receive rewards – including a comped partnership after 3 referrals!

Thank you to everyone who submitted nominations for our Haley Hall of Fame Awards! This year’s selection process was extremely competitive, and we’re looking forward to honoring all nominees and finalists at our Indicators & Insights Summit. Come join us as we celebrate outstanding individuals, A+ service, legacy, and businesses who continue to advance the region’s tourism and hospitality industries.

All nominees and nominators will be receiving an email in the coming days from our team encouraging them to attend Summit. All nominees will receive an exclusive Haley Awards pin. Finalists will be announced and celebrated on stage at the event.

SEE YOU AT SUMMIT

Thursday, November 19, 2026

Art Ovation Hotel

1255 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota, FL 34236

Networking: 8:00am

Summit Program & Awards: 8:30am–11:30am

We’re looking for hosts! Are you or your business interested in hosting a Partner Pop-In? We are scheduling now for 2027.

We’re refreshing our VSC partner networking events series to put our partners and their stories at the center of the experience. We’re pairing valuable connections with something you can only experience by being there. Think behind-the-scenes access, sneak peeks, signature tastes, interactive experiences, and other unexpected ways to discover what fellow partners do best. The location changes. The experience changes. The opportunity to connect stays the same.

These events are typically held on either a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday and we do require a hosting fee plus supplying either coffee or drinks depending on your event  as well as an exclusive experience. If you’re interested, please fill out this Partner Pop-In Form.

NOMINATIONS LIVE: SRQ Magazine’s 2027 Best of SRQ Local Readers Competition

Share the love for your favorite locally owned businesses, experiences, people, AND fellow partners in Sarasota County by nominating them for Best of SRQ Local 2027. Nominations close on Wednesday, November 11, 2026. Nominations may be submitted once per day, per category during the competition period. The top vote-getters will advance to the Voting Round in January 2027.

Art Ovation Hotel has been named by ConventionSouth a 2026 Readers' Choice Award, one of only 80 winners in the entire state of Florida after 7,000+ readers and fans voted!

Director of Community Relations & Partnership, Hunter Carpenter, APR, was installed as the Florida Public Relations Association’s VP of Member Engagement, his second term on the State Executive Committee.

VSC Leadership, Board Member Tim Self, and partners, Academy Bus and LMCU, attended the Invest Tampa Bay Leadership Summit to cheer on SRQ Airport President & CEO Paul Hoback during his keynote and stay up to date on the latest developments in infrastructure, housing, healthcare, and education.

Visitor Experiences Coordinator, Jennifer Dolgetta, and Community Relations Manager, Olivia Turpening, TMP, volunteered during the Greater Sarasota Chamber’s Fall for Sarasota service days, assisting two VSC partners: Save Our Seabirds and Cat Depot.

Our Visitor Services Team engaged with 300+ visitors and locals at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall’s Family Fest and the Venice MainStreet’s Beach Party.

Visitor Experiences Coordinator, Jennifer Dolgetta, graduated from Leadership North Port, Class of 2026.

Our VIP welcome bags took a trip to Perpignan, France, thanks to the Sister Cities Association of Sarasota.

In a partnership with BMX athlete Rayne Lankford, VSC Marketing and Sports staff Kelly Harb and Nate Sweetman were on-site for Rayne’s photo and video shoots around Sarasota County.

What makes your business unique?
I perform contemporary music on the cello, bringing a deeply expressive, personal interpretation to familiar songs. My style combines the warmth of the instrument with music people recognize and connect with. 

What would visitors find interesting/intriguing about your business?
Hearing a favorite song on the cello can make someone pause, listen, and experience it differently.
Whether it’s an unexpected performance during an afternoon out or music chosen for a special evening, I aim to create a moment visitors will remember as part of their time in Sarasota.

Do you offer specials and/or any special events?
I offer personalized musical experiences, including proposal performances and private serenades at
restaurants or aboard a boat. I’m also available for studio recording sessions and school visits, where I
perform for orchestra students and teach them about musical expression and connecting with an audience.

How long have you been in operation?
I’ve been playing and performing for over 20 years, and I recently brought my business to the Sarasota
area.

What are you currently working on/developing that you want to share and/or partner with other
local businesses on?
I’m refining the experience I offer wedding couples, from choosing meaningful music to coordinating the details of their day. I’d love to build relationships with local planners and venues as a trusted musical resource for their clients.

If you could describe what you do in one sentence, what would it be?
I bring familiar and original songs to life on the cello, creating moments people feel deeply and remember.

What do you value most about your VSC partnership?
The relationships and connections. As someone new to Sarasota, I value the opportunity to get to know
the people behind local businesses and find ways we can work together to create memorable experiences for visitors.

Interacted with 2,906 visitors and residents at the Visitors Centers.

Mailed and distributed 351 Visitor Guides and 37 Relocation Packets.

Created 702 info bags for various groups.