Visit Sarasota County honors the faces of tourism

Members of the local tourism industry and Visit Sarasota County celebrated National Travel and Tourism Week at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

  • By Shane Donglasan
  • | 10:15 a.m. May 4, 2018
  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • Share

Visit Sarasota County celebrated National Travel and Tourism Week by saluting those who keep the tourism industry thriving locally.

Hundreds of members of Sarasota County's tourism industry gathered at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on May 3 for Visit Sarasota’s annual National Travel and Tourism Week award luncheon.

Keynote speaker Christopher L. Thompson, president and CEO of Brand USA, talked about innovative marketing strategies before awards in guest service excellence were given to those nominated by their peers.

Keynote speaker Christopher L. Thompson, president and CEO of Brand USA, talks to guests.
Keynote speaker Christopher L. Thompson, president and CEO of Brand USA, talks to guests.
Visit Sarasota County's visitor experience manager Erin Hurter announces nominees for the Guest Excellence in Management Award.
Visit Sarasota County's visitor experience manager Erin Hurter announces nominees for the Guest Excellence in Management Award.
General manager of Siesta Key Oyster Bar Stephanie Brown, right, wins the Guest Excellence in Management Award.
General manager of Siesta Key Oyster Bar Stephanie Brown, right, wins the Guest Excellence in Management Award.
Visit Sarasota County's visitor experience manager Erin Hurter invites award nominees to the stage.
Visit Sarasota County's visitor experience manager Erin Hurter invites award nominees to the stage.
Dean Murges and Nicole Hancock accept their awards on stage.
Dean Murges and Nicole Hancock accept their awards on stage.
Marcia Carlson Pack accepts her award for Guest Service Excellence in Heart of House award.
Marcia Carlson Pack accepts her award for Guest Service Excellence in Heart of House award.
Brad Satterlee accepts the Voices of Sarasota Award for the Ski-A-Rees.
Brad Satterlee accepts the Voices of Sarasota Award for the Ski-A-Rees.
Liz Rodriguez, Sasa Armor and Dolly Jacobs-Rei
Liz Rodriguez, Sasa Armor and Dolly Jacobs-Rei
Shirley Adams, Marcia Carlson Pack and Pete Adams
Shirley Adams, Marcia Carlson Pack and Pete Adams
Sandi Spahn, Ashleigh Gonzalez and Cecelia Maddi
Sandi Spahn, Ashleigh Gonzalez and Cecelia Maddi
Amanda Horn, Virginia Haley and John Horne
Amanda Horn, Virginia Haley and John Horne

 

Latest News

Palmetto's Leland Taylor is one of six candidates vying for the Republican nomination in District 1.
  • July 6, 2026
Palmetto lawyer vies for District 1 Republican nomination
The 1,475 square foot Udermann house has been partially raised using about 50 hydraulic jacks in The Village in Longboat Key. It currently sits 4 and a half feet up and will eventually be raised to 12 feet.
  • July 4, 2026
Town may encourage home raising through code amendment
State Rep. James Buchanan was one of the driving forces behind a one-year accommodation in a state tax bill that requires either county governments to cover any fees associated with collecting voter-approved school taxes or to waive those fees.
  • July 4, 2026
Buchanan proposal on school-tax fees now law
A rendering of the Fruitville Road elevation of the 1899 Fruitville project.
  • July 3, 2026
1899 Fruitville apartment development advances

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content