Bertolini serving as director of web and digital engagement; Turpening, as community relations manager
Visit Sarasota County has announced two promotions to enhance its tourism marketing efforts to attract visitors, drive support of local businesses, and strengthen residents’ well-being.
Effective as of Oct. 1, Jess Bertolini is the director of web and digital engagement, while Olivia Turpening serves as the bureau’s community relations manager, a news release points out.
“We couldn’t be prouder to celebrate Jess and Olivia’s many years of service to Visit Sarasota County through these expanded roles,” said Erin Duggan, president and CEO of Visit Sarasota County, in the release. “Together, these two marketing leaders bring nearly a decade of relationships and expertise to our team, which makes all the difference in building trust — with not only inbound visitors but also our businesses and locals alike,” Duggan pointed out. “Their efforts ensure tourism keeps fueling Florida families and futures, right here in Sarasota County.”
Bertolini joined Visit Sarasota County as its website and social media coordinator in June 2021, “already with an extensive background in global tourism,” the release says. “Her leadership has deepened the bureau’s digital presence across its website, social media channels, e-newsletters, and creative campaigns” in partnership with the organization’s vice president of marketing and communications “and several external agencies,” the release adds.
“As director of web and digital engagement,” the release explains, Bertolini oversees website and content strategies for the tourism bureau’s digital channels, “ensuring consistency of brand voice, visitor appeal, and alignment with destination goals. Her responsibilities include management of the Zartico data platform, which is a powerful resource for measuring visitation’s economic impact,” the release points out.
Turpening joined Visit Sarasota County in November 2022 as the communications project coordinator, “focused on strengthening the tourism bureau’s partnerships, community presence, and visitor experience through public relations and communications,” the release says.
“In her expanded role as community relations manager,” the release continues, “Turpening will lead a year-round calendar of industry events and play a vital role in supporting Visit Sarasota’s partnership program — now more than 450 businesses strong — helping spearhead attraction and retention initiatives, deepen engagement, and generate revenue to help stretch public dollars further.”
To learn more about how Bertolini, Turpening and Visit Sarasota County help leverage tourism to create a stronger community, visit www.visitsarasotacountytransparency.com, the release adds.