VISIT SARASOTA COUNTY WELCOMES THE SOCIETY OF AMERICAN TRAVEL WRITERS

(VSC) is excited to welcome to our destination the Atlantic Caribbean Chapter (ACC) of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW).  This professional association will hold their Annual Professional Development Meeting at the Lido Beach Resort, Sunday May 20^th through Wednesday May 23^rd, 2012. 

During the dates that this prestigious group is in our community, they will be exposed to many of the assets that make Sarasota County such a special place.  While they will start their day with professional development programming, they will spend the rest of their time exploring our sands, touring our attractions, and dining in a sampling of our delectable restaurants.  To assist VSC in hosting this group, many partners have stepped up to the plate to host, entertain, and educate.  From a Opening Reception at the , to lunch in Pinecraft, and another lunch at the with area arts and cultural groups, to a wide variety of tours, such as kayaking through the mangrove tunnels, to bird watching in Myakka State Park and more - to a Closing Reception at the , we strive to showcase as much as we can.

Hosting travel writers is important for marketing a destination as its gives the writers a chance to experience the community for themselves and write about the experiences they have.  These stories then in turn print in various magazines, newspapers, and online media outlets for consumers to read and entice them to want to travel to experience it for themselves.    

In addition to hosting these writers during their conference dates, VSC also offered a Post Trip Opportunity for these writers to sign up to participate in by signing on to stay through Friday.  Five writers have signed up to stay on, so on Wednesday they will be moved from Lido Beach to Bentley’s Resort in Nokomis, and will experience a few days exploring tours from Crowley Museum and Nature Center, to breakfast at the Horse & Chaise Bed and Breakfast followed by a tour of Venice Architecture as well as a behind the scenes tour of the Venice Theater, to lunch and a dip at the Warm Mineral Springs and so much more.

VSC will work closely with the writers from this group, along with all of the writers they work with throughout the year, to generate positive stories about traveling to Sarasota County.

Visit Sarasota County is the sales and marketing organization contracted by the Sarasota County Government to promote the growth of tourism in Sarasota County.  For more information, contact Erin M. Duggan at (941) 955-0991, ext. 108, or eduggan@visitsarasota.org.