Pictured L-R: Don Welsh, President and CEO, Destinations International; Virginia Haley, Former President, Visit Sarasota County; Tammy Canavan, President and CEO, Visit Seattle; and Cleo Battle, President and CEO, Louisville Tourism. Provided photo.

Legacies aren't built in a single career. They're carried forward by the people we inspire. And while some legacies leave an impression on an organization, a select few leave an impact on an entire profession.

This summer, one of the architects of Sarasota County’s tourism growth over the last quarter-century received the highest honor in our destination marketing profession. Visit Sarasota County’s former President, Virginia Haley, was inducted into Destinations International’s Hall of Fame, a distinction reserved for individuals whose leadership has shaped our industry on a global scale. Destinations International is the pinnacle of tourism bureaus around the world, connecting nearly 1,000 member organizations and business partners for education, forward-focused research, and sustainable success for destinations, including our own.

As I sat in the audience watching my former boss and mentor honored on stage, I couldn't help but reflect on the opportunities she granted me over the years. I will always be grateful for the confidence she placed in me. Although she retired three years ago, her influence is continually seen throughout the community, in the conversations I have with our partners and elected officials, and the momentum we steward to keep visitors coming, businesses open, and locals employed. I’m proud that I received the gift of Virginia’s mentorship, now duly recognized as one of the best in our industry, an honor both well-deserved and hard-earned.

For all those fortunate enough to work alongside Virginia over the years, the recognition comes as no surprise. During her 24 years leading our bureau, tourism grew dramatically, visitor spending reached record levels, and our region as a whole earned a fiercely respected reputation for innovation. She championed initiatives for our arts, culture, nature, and sports communities, helped advance transformational projects like The Bay, and elevated our identity as Florida’s Cultural Coast® throughout the Sunshine State and nationwide.

Perhaps that's why it felt so natural when we established our own awards program titled the Haley Hall of Fame Awards. These awards aren't simply about recognizing professional accomplishments but rather celebrating the people and businesses leaving an enduring mark on Sarasota County. Those quietly defining the character of our community, elevating those around them, and leaving impacts that extend well beyond their own four walls.

Often, the people making the greatest difference aren't the ones seeking recognition. That's exactly why these awards matter. And right now, we’re asking the community to help identify and celebrate those individuals and companies. If you know someone whose leadership has strengthened tourism, hospitality, arts and culture, sports, community partnerships, or our visitors’ experience, I encourage you to nominate a peer for a Haley Award.

Nominations for our Haley Hall of Fame Awards are open now and will be accepted through August 28 at https://bit.ly/haleyawards. Award recipients will be honored at our annual Indicators & Insights Summit on November 19 at the Art Ovation Hotel. There, we'll also welcome nationally recognized executive speakers who will share trends and best practices to help business leaders make more informed decisions influencing our top industry locally: tourism and hospitality.

A legacy can be earned through extraordinary accomplishments, but some of its most important pieces can’t be listed on a résumé. Those kinds of markers, meaningful as they are, can only tell part of the story. The truest legacy is what continues to grow because of small, influential moments that ripple outward long after we’ve forgotten them ourselves. So while we celebrate Virginia's remarkable achievement on the international stage, perhaps the best way to honor her legacy is by shining a light on those who continue building upon it right here in Sarasota County.

Erin Duggan is President and CEO of Visit Sarasota County.

Pictured L-R: Don Welsh, President and CEO, Destinations International; Virginia Haley, Former President, Visit Sarasota County; Tammy Canavan, President and CEO, Visit Seattle; and Cleo Battle, President and CEO, Louisville Tourism. Provided photo.