Visit Sarasota County Earns Statewide Honors for Sports Tourism and PR Leadership

Visit Sarasota County has added two statewide honors to its growing list of tourism and communications achievements. The awards recognize its sports tourism marketing and the leadership of a longtime team member.

The Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) presented the honors during its 69th Annual Golden Image Gala. The statewide program recognizes public relations campaigns and professionals for strong planning, creativity, execution and measurable results.

FPRA gave Visit Sarasota County an Award of Distinction in the Public Relations Division. The award recognized an integrated campaign promoting the 2025 USRowing Event Series in Sarasota County. FPRA also named Hunter Carpenter, APR, its Member of the Year. Carpenter serves as Visit Sarasota County’s Director of Community Relations & Partnership.

Sports Tourism Delivers More Than Medals

The award-winning campaign focused on sports tourism, an increasingly important part of Sarasota County’s visitor economy.

Visit Sarasota County reported that the 2025 USRowing events generated more than $5.7 million in economic impact. The events also delivered record attendance and national media exposure.

The campaign aimed to extend the benefits beyond Nathan Benderson Park. It connected visiting athletes, coaches, families and spectators with area hotels, restaurants and other Sarasota County businesses.

As a result, sporting events can support hotels, restaurants and attractions when leisure tourism may traditionally be slower.

Sarasota County has developed a significant reputation as a rowing destination, anchored by Nathan Benderson Park. USRowing has described the venue as a premier rowing facility. The park has hosted the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials and multiple Youth National Championships.

Organizers expected the 2025 USRowing Youth National Championships to attract more than 4,000 athletes and approximately 1,000 coaches. They also anticipated more than 5,000 spectators during four days of competition. The championships marked the event’s 30th anniversary.

The relationship continues. In addition, the 2026 USRowing Youth National Championships returned to Nathan Benderson Park. That return further established Sarasota County as a recurring destination for major national rowing competitions.

Hunter Carpenter Named FPRA Member of the Year

FPRA selected Hunter Carpenter, APR, as its Member of the Year, giving Visit Sarasota County its second recognition.

Carpenter served as Vice President of Membership on FPRA’s State Executive Committee. He has also held several leadership roles with the association’s Central West Coast Chapter. During his tenure as chapter president, the local organization earned FPRA’s Chapter of the Year distinction.

The statewide honor recognizes exceptional leadership, participation, enthusiasm and service to FPRA. The association has presented the award to a relatively small group of communications professionals since establishing it in 1988.

Visit Sarasota County President and CEO Erin Duggan said the recognition reflects the organization’s commitment to promoting Sarasota County. She also credited the people behind those efforts.

Meanwhile, the honors highlight a part of destination marketing that visitors may never see. Major events require partnerships and communication strategies. Those efforts also encourage visitors to spend time throughout the community.

Why These Awards Matter to Sarasota County

For residents, a public relations award might initially seem far removed from everyday life. However, effective destination marketing can have tangible economic consequences in tourism-driven Sarasota County.

Visit Sarasota County is the county’s official tourism marketing organization and works with more than 450 tourism partners. Its Sarasota County Sports Commission focuses on bringing sporting events to the destination. The commission says it supports more than 75 sporting events annually.

For example, those events can generate hotel stays, restaurant spending, transportation activity, shopping and visits to local attractions.

Sports and meetings tourism can also produce travel demand outside traditional vacation periods. Visit Sarasota County reported earlier this year that its meetings and group sales efforts help strengthen visitation beyond peak season.

The organization has accumulated several national and statewide industry honors. They include awards from VISIT FLORIDA, the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International and FPRA, among other organizations.

Sarasota’s Sports Tourism Profile Continues to Grow

Nathan Benderson Park has become one of Sarasota County’s most recognizable sports tourism assets.

In addition to USRowing championships, the venue has hosted the 2017 World Rowing Championships, Olympic Trials and numerous national competitions. The Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy has previously reported significant economic activity tied to major events at the property.

Visit Sarasota County’s latest statewide honor suggests that attracting an event is only part of the equation. Successful marketing can gain national exposure and connect thousands of visitors with surrounding businesses. Those connections can significantly increase an event’s value to the community.

Ultimately, the Golden Image Award of Distinction recognizes more than the promotion of a rowing championship. It honors the use of that event to promote Sarasota County as an entire destination.

For more information about Visit Sarasota County, visit VisitSarasota.com.

More information about the Florida Public Relations Association’s Golden Image Awards is available at GoldenImageAwards.org.