Visit Sarasota thinks big

When the dog days of summer hit Siesta Key, sending snow birds back home, its up to Europeans to buoy bed taxes.

Visit Sarasota, formerly the Sarasota County Convention and Visitors Bureau, could get a big boost from a national marketing campaign recently launched called Brand USA, which intends to focus on luring European tourists over the Atlantic.

Visit Sarasota presented its budget to County Commissioners July 10, and outlined its goals for the coming year, which includes lobbying for national support. Also, President  Virginia Haley said the non-profit organization would increase its sales team and launch mobile visitor centers, which will function similar to mote marine Laboratory’s roving aquarium truck.

To help extend the record-breaking tourist season, the organization is starting a new advertising campaign to tout pleasant fall weather. The gist: come to Sarasota where you can wear shorts in the winter. “I believe we will have a shorts day in Sarasota,” Haley joked.