Experience Florida's Sports Coast Targets Travel Meetings

PASCO COUNTY, FL — Experience Florida’s Sports Coast, the Destination Management Organization for Pasco County, has expanded its tourism portfolio to include meeting travel.

On Jan. 10-14, the DMO sponsored The Express Conferences’ Sports Express Conference at Saddlebrook Resort in Wesley Chapel. This is the first corporate/sports conference hosted by the destination.

“As we work to bring conferences and corporate events to our destination, we believe in contributing more than an economic impact to our local communities. We are proud to connect corporate meetings with local nonprofits to create a positive impact for conference goers and locals alike,” said Tourism Director Adam Thomas.

In partnership with MGM Resort International, the Sports Express Conference incorporates half-day community service projects into each location to continue their commitment to corporate responsibility and balance.

“The Community Service Project is an essential element to our conference. It is important for us to give back to the communities that have entrusted us to host our conference and leave the destination in a better place than when we arrived,” said Roy Edmonson, CEO of The Express Conferences.

Experience Florida’s Sports Coast and Sports Express Conference partnered with local nonprofit, Keep Pasco Beautiful and the Pasco County Department of Public Works for a half day coastal cleanup. In just 75 hours, conference attendees collected 1,720 pounds of trash which equated to $2,140.50 in man hours.

“It is estimated that 80 percent of the trash in our waters originated from land, which is why roadside cleanups are so important. Volunteers and community partnerships are critical to marine debris prevention - helping to keep Pasco waters beautiful,” said Kristen King, program coordinator for Keep Pasco Beautiful.