Visit Sarasota County is celebrating a double win this week. The Florida Public Relations Association presented the organization with an Award of Distinction for its integrated marketing campaign promoting the 2025 USRowing Event Series. The campaign showcased the action at Nathan Benderson Park, which has become a premier destination for the sport since hosting the 2017 World Rowing Championships and the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials.
The numbers behind the recognition are impressive. The 2025 USRowing events brought over 4,000 athletes and roughly 1,000 coaches to the area, generating more than $5.7 million in economic impact. That translates into busy hotel lobbies, full restaurant tables, and increased foot traffic at local attractions, especially during periods when leisure travel tends to dip. Hunter Carpenter, Director of Community Relations and Partnership at Visit Sarasota County, also earned FPRA Member of the Year honors. His leadership, including a term as chapter president that resulted in Chapter of the Year status, highlights the depth of talent working behind the scenes.
For residents, this recognition is more than a PR win. It reinforces the importance of sports tourism in building a strong, resilient local economy. With over 75 sporting events supported annually and more than 450 tourism partners in the network, Sarasota County continues to prove it can compete on a national stage. Have you ever attended a major sporting event here and later noticed the crowds filling local spots? What’s your favorite memory from an event at Nathan Benderson Park? Let us know in the comments.
