MISSION
We make Sarasota County a better place by promoting out community on the world stage.
VISION
Visit Sarasota County is accredited by the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program, a program Destinations International. VSC meets the highest standards of professionalism, leadership, fiscal management and ethical principles.
DESCRIPTION
VISIT SARASOTA COUNTY (VSC) is the official tourism marketing entity and primary provider of visitor information for Sarasota County where tourism is the top industry. VSC is recognized with numerous national and state awards for our innovative programs and impactful solutions to problems facing our industry. Awards include:
• Visit Florida Flagler Awards
• Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI), Adrian Awards
• Southeast Tourism Society’s Shining Example Awards
• National Association of Sports Commissions (NASC)
• Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA)
• U.S. Cultural and Heritage Association SASI Awards
• Travel Weekly Magellan Award
SERVICES/PROGRAMS
SARASOTA COUNTY SPORTS COMMISSION
• The Sarasota County Sport Commission (SCSC) is a division of VISIT SARASOTA COUNTY. The primary focus of the SCSC is to generate new visitors through sports events, often referred to as “sports tourism.” The mission of the SCSC is to position Sarasota County as a must-experience mid-sized sports destination for local, statewide, national and international athletes of all ages. We accomplish this mission by supporting over 75 sporting events per year and promoting our extensive portfolio of premier facilities.
SARASOTA VISITORS INFORMATION CENTERS
• VSC operates three official Sarasota Visitors Information Centers and a Visitor Information Vehicle. The Visitors Center is staffed by fifty knowledgeable volunteers who welcome millions visitors and newcomers a year to the area. The Visitor Information Vehicle provides visitor information outside the walls of the Visitor Centers by appearing at popular tourism spots and events.
VISITORS GUIDE
• VSC produces the only “Official Sarasota County Visitors & Relocation Guide”, distributed to over hundreds of thousands of potential visitors annually. Request a Free Visitors Guide.
VISITSARASOTA.COM
VisitSarasota.com is the official and comprehensive visitor web site for Sarasota County, serving vacationers from across the globe, travel writers, meeting planners, sports event holders, leisure groups such as weddings and reunions and travel agents. It is the primary consumer site showcasing the County’s tourism assets with partner listings, maps, articles on possible vacation experiences. In 2019, the website garnered approximately 5.1 million page views, and nearly 655,000 referrals. Visit Sarasota County also serves niche markets, such as the arts with VisitSarasotaArts.org, the sports market with Sports.VisitSarasota.org, the eco market with DiscoverNaturalSarasota.org, and the culinary market with SavorSarasota.com.
PARTNERSHIP SERVICES
• Visit Sarasota County hosts exclusive networking opportunities for the tourism industry through Hospitality Connections and education. Providing valuable resources and exclusive industry insight to our partners is a priority at Visit Sarasota County. We host monthly Tourism U series that provide tools, tips and insights on the industry and working with our team. Topics vary and include public relations, marketing, website, sports and more.
