2025

The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is proud to announce the launch of its newest chapter, HSMAI Florida Gulf Coast, officially chartered on October 2, 2025. This new chapter underscores HSMAI’s ongoing commitment to expanding its reach, cultivating local engagement, and delivering enhanced value to hospitality professionals through regionally tailored education and networking opportunities.

Baseball, dragon boat racing, and high-level rowing will bring athletes and fans from across the country to Sarasota County this October.

Visit Sarasota County today announced the full lineup of October sports events, showcasing the region’s fields, waters, and shores. Below is the complete schedule.

Nicole Porter, VP of Political Affairs at the U.S. Travel Association, will headline the tourism bureau’s Indicators & Insight Summit

Smart Meetings honored Suzanne Hackman, CDME, Director of Sales & Industry Relations at Visit Sarasota County, with the 2025 Visionary Award

With its rich artistic history and present-day arts scene, it's no surprise how the Sarasota area got its nickname: Florida’s Cultural Coast®. And when you hold your group's meeting or event here, it's seamless to incorporate this creativity and inspire your attendees to use their imagination. 

Sarasota County’s meeting venues can delight and surprise your guests, provide them with a luxurious experience, educate them—or all of the above. Take a tour through our top event spaces to find the perfect location (or locations!) for your next gathering.

It’s not uncommon for people to return from a conference and say they never left their hotel. When you plan a meeting or event in Sarasota, you’ll hear a much different post-conference story from your attendees, since many of our popular downtown hotels are within walking distance of restaurants and attractions.

Visit Sarasota County proudly announces their new Board of Directors appointments and recognizes outgoing members for the 2026 fiscal year, which will begin October 1.

You might know Sarasota County as a vacation destination, but did you know it’s also a great meeting location? When you choose to hold your conference here, you can expect your attendees to enjoy an easy trip here and beautiful weather and fun activities once they’ve arrived. And you’ll have access to an array of venues to host your event – from well-known hotels to renowned museums.