Embassy Suites. Photo courtesy of Visit Sarasota County.

Visit Sarasota County has been recognized by Smart Meetings, a leading voice in the event planning industry, as a 2026 Smart Stars Award winner in two categories: Best Waterfront CVB/DMO and Best Beach CVB/DMO. This comes just months after the tourism bureau received the Platinum Choice Award Winner by Smart Meetings in December 2025. The annual Smart Stars Awards celebrate the hospitality industry's top-performing destinations, venues, hotels, airlines, cruise lines, and suppliers in 41 total categories. As selected by the Smart Meetings community of meeting professionals, winners are determined through nominations, voting, and firsthand experiences shared by planners across the meetings and events industry. "The dual recognition reflects Sarasota County's unique position as a destination that combines world-class meeting facilities with coastal experiences,” said Erin Duggan, President and CEO of Visit Sarasota County.

Embassy Suites. Photo courtesy of Visit Sarasota County.

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