Visit Sarasota County: Sports Info

Sports

Laying the Groundwork for Future Sporting Events

Shelby Connett and Sarah Thomas traveled to Knoxville, Tenn. to attend the 2019 National Association of Sports Commissioners (NASC) Symposium, May 6-10. The team met with over 20 events rights holders and were educated on topics relevant to the sports tourism industry.

Shelby Connect and Sarah Thomas will now be traveling to Destin, Fla. to attend the 2019 Florida Sports Summit, May 20-22. This is another exciting opportunity to meet more events right holders and discuss what we can do to make Sarasota County the future host of their tournaments, races and more! This summit is also a valuable platform to discuss best practices with other sports tourism professionals.

Upcoming Events:

Event	Start Date	End Date	Location	Sport	Estimated Room Nights
Sunshine State Games Sarasota Manatee Festival	June 1, 2019	June 1, 2019	Nathan Benderson Park, Robarts Arena	Rowing, Weightlifting	160
PBRT Florida State Games	June 1, 2019	June 4, 2019	Orioles, Braves, IMG	Baseball	900
USRowing Youth Nationals	June 6, 2019	June 9, 2019	Nathan Benderson Park	Rowing	4000
PBR South Summer Championships	June 13, 2019	June 16, 2019	Braves, Orioles	Baseball	450
Olympic Development Program	June 14, 2019	July 7, 2019	Sarasota Crew	Rowing	1008

ARCHIVE

Sports

Networking for New Events

Shelby Connect and Sarah Thomas will be traveling to the National Association of Sports Commission’s Annual Symposium May 6 to May 10. The show will be attended by over a hundred events rights holders. As we prepare to meet potential event organizers, we ask any of our hotel partners to let us know if their peak season (February- April) availability for groups has changed. Contact Sarah Thomas at [email protected] with any comments or questions.

Event	Start Date	End Date	Location	Sport	Estimated Room Nights
643 Travel Ball Tournaments	April 12, 2019	June 2, 2019	Cal Ripken, Babe Ruth, 17th Street, Miss Sarasota	Baseball	1000
FSRA Sculling	April 13, 2019	April 14, 2019	Nathan Benderson Park	Rowing	400
Sunshine State Conference Rowing Championship	April 25, 2019	April 26, 2019	Nathan Benderson Park	Rowing	50
2019 Pro-Am Racquetball Tournament	April 26, 2019	April 29, 2019	Sarasota Bath and Racquet Club	Racquetball	450
Sarasota Cup	April 26, 2019	April 28, 2019	Premiere Sports Campus	Soccer	2500
FSRA Sweeps	April 27, 2019	April 28, 2019	Nathan Benderson Park	Rowing	1300

March 2019 Sports Team News

Sarasota Picked to Host International Youth Championship

After 26 years abroad, Visit Sarasota County is excited to announce the U-18 World Baseball Cup will return to the U.S. right here in Southwest Florida! In March, the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) announced VSC will co-host the tournament in collaboration with the Baltimore Orioles, Bradenton Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, and the Pittsburgh Pirates. The sports team has worked diligently to bring this event to Sarasota County since early 2017. The event itself will be in September 2021 and bring 12 international teams to the destination, including Team USA which will automatically qualify as the host country. As planning continues for the event, we will notify our partners on any opportunities to be involved.

Upcoming Events

Event	Start Date	End Date	Location	Sport	Estimated Room Nights
Sarasota Lanes Spring Bowling Tournaments	March 15, 2019	April 20, 2019	Sarasota Lanes	Bowling	1200
Mendota Rowing Club Juniors	March 22, 2019	March 30, 2019	Nathan Benderson Park	Rowing	48
NFA 7v7 Southeast Regional	March 23, 2019	March 24, 2019	IMG Academy	7v7 Football	160
Champions Spring Break Camp	March 29, 2019	April 6, 2019	Sarasota Babe Ruth Complex	Baseball	210
Holland Christian High School	March 30, 2019	April 6, 2019	Twin Lakes Park	Baseball	77
The Bradenton Cup	April 5, 2019	April 7, 2019	Lakewood Ranch High School	Soccer	1200
Florida State Soccer Association State Cup	April 5, 2019	April 7, 2019	Premier Sports Campus	Soccer	70
643 Travel Ball Tournaments	April 12, 2019	June 2, 2019	Cal Ripken, Babe Ruth, 17th Street, Miss Sarasota	Baseball	1000
FSRA Sculling	April 13, 2019	April 14, 2019	Nathan Benderson Park	Rowing	400

February 2019 Sports Team News

VSC Meets the Fans

Spring Training is here, and for the first time, Sarasota County will host two Major League ballclubs in March! Before spring ball, the Visitor Information Vehicle (VIV) crossed state lines for the first time ever to meet thousands of Braves fans at “Chopfest” in Atlanta.

Just days later, more VSC staff joined our President Virginia Haley greeting thousands more baseball fans in Baltimore for their annual “Fanfest.” Visitor guides and destination information was distributed to fans at both events, before many of them pack their bags for Grapefruit League baseball in March. Thank you partners like La Quinta Sarasota, Sleep Inn/Mainstay Suites Sarasota and SRQ Airport for joining us on these trips!

 

VSC visits Atlanta Braves Chopfest!

 

VSC visits Baltimore Orioles Fanfest!

February-March Events

Web.com Golf Tournament	February 14, 2019	February 17, 2019	Lakewood National Golf Club	Golf	500
Snowbird Baseball Classic	February 15, 2019	March 24, 2019	North Port High School	Baseball	3071
Sarasota Invitational Regatta	February 22, 2019	February 24, 2019	Nathan Benderson Park	Rowing	384
IMG College Showcase	March 1, 2019	March 3, 2019	IMG Academy	Soccer	2850
Spring Fling Lacrosse	March 9, 2019	March 22, 2019	Wellfield Complex	Lacrosse	1260

January 2019 Sports Team News

December was another busy month for sports in Sarasota County. Get involved by checking out our new Sports Incentive Program.

Sarah Thomas attended the “American Baseball Coaches Association Conference” in Dallas TX. Along with the Atlanta Braves, Hotel Venezia and Buffalo Lodging hotel properties were able to participate and spread the word about Sarasota County baseball opportunities. The group met with over 7,000 attendees and fellow exhibitors, which included coaches and tournament organizers. We look forward to attending the show again next year!

Event	Start Date	End Date	Venue	Sport
Venice Equestrian Tour	January 15, 2019	March 2, 2019	Fox Lea Farms	Equestrian
2019 MLS Training Camp Montreal Impact Soccer	January 21, 2019	January 29, 2019	Nathan Benderson Park/Premier	Soccer
643 Travel Ball Tournaments	January 25, 2019	March 10, 2019	Cal Ripken	Baseball
Englewood Pickleball Series- Chill Blast	February 1, 2019	February 3, 2019	Englewood Sports Complex	Pickelball
Florida Youth Soccer Association Region C Commissioners Cup	February 2, 2019	February 10, 2019	Premier	Soccer
Umpire Placement Course	February 2, 2019	February 12, 2019	Ed Smith Stadium	Baseball
Web.com Golf Tournament	February 14, 2019	February 17, 2019	Lakewood National Golf Club	Golf
Snowbird Baseball Classic	February 15, 2019	March 24, 2019	North Port High School	Baseball
Sarasota Invitational Regatta	February 22, 2019	February 24, 2019	Nathan Benderson Park	Rowing