Tourism Bureau Earns Statewide Public Relations Accolades

SARASOTA, Fla. – (August 13, 2026) – For excellence in sports tourism and industry leadership, Visit Sarasota County (VSC) was honored with two statewide accolades at the 69th Annual Golden Image Gala, hosted by the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA). Recognized as the hallmark of excellence in public relations and communications, the Golden Image Awards celebrate outstanding strategy, innovation, and results on a state level. 

In the Public Relations Division, VSC earned an Award of Distinction for its integrated marketing campaign to elevate the 2025 USRowing Event Series, which generated record attendance, national media coverage, and more than $5.7 million in economic impact. The collaborative campaign extended well beyond the competition at Nathan Benderson Park, activating hospitality, dining, and community partners across Sarasota County to enhance the visitor experience and amplify the championship’s reach. 

VSC’s Director of Community Relations & Partnership, Hunter Carpenter, APR, was named Member of the Year, for his service as Vice President of Membership on the State Executive Committee. Carpenter has also served several terms on the local Board of the Central West Coast Chapter of FPRA, last year earning Chapter of the Year under his leadership as President. 

“At the heart of our work is a commitment to telling Sarasota County's story in a way that benefits visitors, businesses, and the community, and these peer-awarded honors are a meaningful affirmation of that work,” said Erin Duggan, President & CEO of Visit Sarasota County. “An award of distinction for our sports team, along with Hunter being named Member of the Year, reaffirms the impact of our collective efforts and the individuals who go above and beyond to advance our industry. We're fortunate to have such passionate professionals representing our community.”  

The Golden Image Award is the top award presented to the very best across the state in its respective category, while the Judges’ Award recognizes entries that achieve impressive return on investment and the Award of Distinction for those that meet a set standard of excellence.  

The Member of the Year Award recognizes one member who has made a significant contribution to FPRA through outstanding leadership, demonstrated enthusiasm, extraordinary involvement, and loyal support. Since 1988, there have been nearly 50 professionals recognized with this coveted distinction.  

FPRA, the oldest professional association for PR professionals in the U.S., introduced the Golden Image Awards program in 1957 to recognize the very best in the field of public relations. For more information, visit https://goldenimageawards.org/. 

Photo 1: VSC’s Sports PR representation, Elizabeth Knight of Knight Strategic Communications, accepts Award of Distinction from VP of Golden Image Chris Graham, APR, CPRC and FPRA State President Lindsay Hudock, APR, CPRC (L-R: Chris Graham, APR, CPRC; Elizabeth Knight; Lindsay Hudock, APR, CPRC). 

Photo 2: VSC Community Relations & Partnership Director Hunter Carpenter, APR, accepts the Member of the Year Award from FPRA State President Lindsay Hudock, APR, CPRC (L-R: Hunter Carpenter, APR; Lindsay Hudock, APR, CPRC).  

Photo Credit: Florida Public Relations Association/Joe Gallagher 

About Visit Sarasota County 
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. Through programs and partnerships, VSC makes Sarasota County a better place by promoting our community on the world stage. These efforts bring together over 450 partners to keep visitors coming, local businesses open and residents employed all year. VSC is accredited by the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program, a program of the Destination Management Association International (DMAI). To learn more, visit www.visitsarasota.com.  

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