The arrival of October at Visit Sarasota County heralds the start of a new fiscal year, a time when we reassess our strategies to ensure they remain effective in promoting tourism growth in our community, even as we indulge in seasonal treats like pumpkin spice lattes. 

In the coming year, we will focus on fortifying our emergency preparedness measures, deepening our connections with industry partners, and educating local residents on the significance of our work. 

Through collaboration with you, we can achieve more. To view our comprehensive FY26 budget and plan, click the button below and please do not hesitate to share your thoughts or questions with us.

In service,

Erin Duggan, CDME - President & CEO

Here are the numbers comparing August 2025 to August 2024:

The Tervis Store – Shopping Partner, Serving Casey Key/ Nokomis/ Osprey – We are The Tervis Store in Osprey! We’re proud to be located right on 41, where you can shop the designs on drinkware and dinnerware or create your very own.

Tommy Bahama Restaurant, Bar & Store – Dining Partner, Serving Lido Key/ St. Armands – Dinner, drinks and shopping all at one destination? We'll see you at St. Armands Circle.

Parkinson Place Center – Local Services Partner, Serving Sarasota – Founded in 2012, Parkinson Place Center For All Movement Disorders is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit based in Sarasota, FL.

The Sea Spray Resort – Lodging Partner, Serving Siesta Key – Luxury coastal suites just steps from Siesta Key Beach. Heated pool, beach gear, and modern design make Sea Spray Resort the perfect Sarasota getaway.

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!

Mornings and afternoons at our partner events always standout and set the stage for new connections and opportunities. The Embassy Suites Hotel hosted a morning of coffee, omelets, and prizes for those joined for energizing brews with a community vibe.

We also saw conversations flowing at the soccer pitch at our after hours held by Sarasota Paradise. This one was a real game changer as we got sneak peeks into the team’s new chapter just before they officially go pro in 2026.

The stunning views at the vibrant Solis Hall in Wellen Park made it just a bit easier for everyone to dive into their days. There was no shortage of coffee, fabulous pastries, or of opportunities to connect with business partners from around the county.

Hold your horses… actually, don’t — we’re riding straight into a networking experience at TerraNova Equestrian on October 17.  Start your morning with coffee and competition – guaranteed to see horses gallop, jump, and strut their skills in the arena as you network with some of Sarasota’s brightest tourism minds.

October 17 at 8:00am

TerraNova Equestrian

31625 Clay Gully Rd.

Myakka City, FL 34251

Say hello to new! We’re launching a new Events webpage where all of our event links will always be, we highly recommend bookmarking it.

You may also notice a brand-new way to RSVP for events. We are thrilled to be incorporating Bandwango for all things networking events where you will reserve your free ticket and scan in upon arrival.

If you have any questions about the new system, please contact Olivia Turpening at oturpening@visitsarasota.org.

Nicole Porter, VP of Political Affairs with the U.S. Travel Association, is joining us for our second annual Indicators and Insights Summit. Porter’s talk, scheduled for November 18 at 8 a.m. at the Carlisle Inn, will cover national and international tourism trends – from tariffs and TSA to America’s global travel brand – and their economic impact regionally in Florida.

Nicole Porter joined the U.S. Travel Association in 2021. As Vice President of Political Affairs, she leads and develops all grassroots and political programs—leading and developing engagement activities to bolster U.S. Travel’s advocacy efforts.

Under Nicole’s leadership, U.S. Travel has raised more than $2 million for TravelPAC and the Advocacy Fund during the 2022 and 2024 election cycles. These critical tools help ensure the travel industry maintains a strong voice in Washington and secure a lasting seat at the table on and off Capitol Hill.

 You won’t want to miss what she shares and how it relates our region.

Tuesday, November 18, 2025

The Carlisle Inn | 3727 Bahia Vista St, Sarasota, FL 34232

Networking: 7:45am | Summit Program, Awards & Breakouts: 8:15am - 12:00pm

Breakfast included

Thank you to our Summit sponsors!

We’ve launched a new Industry Resources webpage to make it easier than ever to maximize your partner benefits, with helpful resources and links from all our departments – all in one place.

In-Person Networking – RSVP to a partner event, or offer to host one!

Keep Your Marketing Content Visitor-Ready – with our brand toolkit, guides & collateral, advertising co-ops, Florida’s Cultural Coast branding, and more.

Tap into Our Destination & Visitors Services – Request welcome bags for your VIP guests or visitors, refill your rack cards, and even request AVA for your next event.

Keep Us in the Know for PR Opportunities – Upload your events to our Events Calendar and invite a speaker or join our speakers bureau.

Your partnership powers our destination, so feel free to use these resources to stay informed, inspired, and connected.

Fall is upon us, and Sarasota County is gearing up for an exciting lineup of sports events this October!

The month kicks off with two major events happening the same weekend. The Junior All-American Games (October 10-12) return to CoolToday Park, giving amateur baseball athletes ages 8U through high school a “Big League” experience with competition, training, a Home Run Derby, and Skills Showcase. With athletes representing more than 40 states and three countries, over 200 players and 500 spectators are expected.

At the same time, the Benderson Chase (October 11-12) will make its return to Nathan Benderson Park after last year’s cancellation due to a hurricane. One of the region’s largest rowing regattas, the two-day event, hosted in partnership with the Sarasota Crew, will feature over 800 participants and more than 1,500 spectators.

Later in the month, Sarasota will welcome two more high-profile tournaments. The Perfect Game Florida Fall Select Championships will be held October 17-19, bringing up to 60 youth baseball teams to multiple venues across the county. With over 800 athletes and 1,400 spectators anticipated, the tournament continues to grow as one of Florida’s premier fall baseball events. 

Meanwhile, the United States Dragon Boat Federation (USDBF) Club Crew National Championships (October 17-19) return to Nathan Benderson Park, drawing more than 2,000 athletes and 700 spectators. This prestigious event will determine which clubs go on to represent Team USA at the 2026 Club Crew World Championships in Taiwan.

Youth soccer closes out the month with Halloween Havoc 2025, taking place October 25-26 at Premier Sports Campus. Hosted by the Chargers Soccer Club, the tournament will welcome boys’ and girls’ teams from U9 to U19, with 700 athletes and over 1,350 spectators expected for a fun and competitive weekend.

Looking to boost your hotel's visibility and attract more meetings and events? Visit Sarasota invites you to seize an exclusive opportunity to partner with us at our Fiscal Year 2026 tradeshows and conferences!

By co-exhibiting, you'll gain direct access to qualified meeting planners, expand your network, and showcase your property's unique offerings alongside the best of Sarasota. This is a powerful way to leverage our collective presence and drive new business directly to your doors.

Spaces are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis, with a sign-up deadline of October 15, 2026.

Don't miss out on this chance to grow your market share! Learn more about the opportunities and secure your spot today by visiting: VSC Sales FY26 Co-Op Signup

Let's collaborate to make FY26 your most successful year yet!

What makes your business unique?
My business offers a unique way to adopt cats into their forever families. We are open to all guests, not just adopters, so we have a visibility and socialization not available at traditional adoption facilities. We offer a full cafe menu, complete with coffee, tea, mocktails, and pastries. Enjoy the best of both worlds at Katy's! Sarasota's only cat cafe!

What would visitors find interesting/intriguing about your business?
We opened May 24th, 2025. I named the cafe after my cat, Katy. We have 20 adoptions to date and counting.

Do you offer specials and/or any special events?
Yes, we offer cat yoga, Qi Gong, art workshops, and more! Come for our Feline Friday Fifteen special to get 15% off admissions price every Friday.

How long have you been in operation?
~4 mo.

What are you currently working on/developing that you want to share and/or partner with other local businesses on?
We are continuously looking for more workshops, activities, charity events, and informationals. We want to reach everyone in the community with a wide array of interests. Follow us on Instagram to be the first to know of new kittens/cats and adoptions!

If you could describe what you do in one sentence, what would it be?
Rescue cats and serve coffee!

What do you value most about your VSC partnership?
I value the outreach events for giving me the opportunity to meet more businesses and individuals in the community. I also value the marketing focus on tourists, considering that is my main demographic.

Interacted with 3,597 visitors and residents at the Visitors Centers.

Mailed and distributed 366 Visitor Guides and mailed 44 Relocation Packets.

Created 327 info bags for various groups.