Shelby Connett is the meetings and group sales manager with Visit Sarasota County.
Would you say development in Sarasota has jump-started in the last year or so?
Aloft just opened this month. They actually have a small meeting space now, but in the next year or so when they develop their restaurant, they’ll have significantly more space.
Westin should be here by 2017. They’re moving along very quickly and just hired a director of sales. They’ll have an amazing view overlooking the bay, right next to the Ritz-Carlton. We also had an Embassy Suites break ground in November.
What would you say is the reason?
Tourism is increasing. We’re getting additional meeting groups and our sports group business is included in that. We have a world-class rowing center at Nathan Benderson Park and we’ll be hosting the 2017 World Rowing Championships. Not to say that the new hotels are completely attributable to sports tourism, but it helps.
What else is notable about Sarasota?
We’re the perfect-size location for a small to midsize group. We’re not Tampa, Orlando or Miami, where groups may be one of hundreds. We have that small-town charm, with many of our big attractions and dining districts close together. If you’re staying at one of our meeting properties, you’re only 15 minutes from most major attractions. Still, we have the big-city amenities, including an international airport.