Organization’s sports tourism efforts earn distinction, while partnership director named Member of Year by Florida Public Relations Association
For excellence in sports tourism and industry leadership, Visit Sarasota County (VSC) was honored with two statewide accolades during the recent, 69th Annual Golden Image Gala, hosted by the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA), Visit Sarasota County has announced.
“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,” a news release explains.
“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 release points out. “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,” the release says.
Additionally, VSC’s director of community relations & partnership, Hunter Carpenter, was named Member of the Year for his service as vice president of membership on the State Executive Committee, the release notes. Carpenter also has served several terms on the local board of the Central West Coast Chapter of FPRA. Last year, the release points out, the Central West Coast organization earned the Chapter of the Year distinction 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, in the release. “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,” Duggan added in the release. “We’re fortunate to have such passionate professionals representing our community.”
The release notes that 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.”
Further, it explains, “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, it adds, nearly 50 professionals have been “recognized with this coveted distinction.”
FPRA, which is “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,” the release explains. For more information, visit https://goldenimageawards.org/.