Visit Sarasota County Announces Director of Partnership and Community Relations

June 19, 2024 | Sarasota

Visit Sarasota County (VSC) announces the appointment of Hunter Carpenter, APR, as the Director of Partnership and Community Relations. Carpenter will oversee the organization’s relationships with local businesses by connecting them with opportunities the VSC team offers to showcase their own offerings to visitors around the world. He will also be responsible for educating residents of the region about VSC’s roles and why the sustainable growth of our local tourism industry is critical to all.

A Sarasota native, Carpenter joins VSC from First Watch Restaurant Group, where he spent several years as the Public Relations Manager guiding earned media and storytelling strategies to support more than 530 restaurants nationwide. During his tenure at First Watch, Carpenter secured a Top Integrated Marketing Campaign award from the Florida Public Relations Association and oversaw campaigns that earned millions of media impressions. Prior to this, Carpenter spent time as the Manager of Communications and Marketing at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, putting words to community-wide initiatives such as Seasons of Sharing and the Giving Challenge.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled that Hunter is joining our team,” said Erin Duggan, President and CEO of VSC. “His experience, commitment, and passion will only enrich our efforts to champion Sarasota as a world-class destination.”

Carpenter holds a master’s degree in mass communications from the University of Florida as well as an Accreditation in Public Relations (APR). He is the President-Elect of the Central West Coast Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association for 2024-2025. Carpenter was a 2023 honoree for SRQ Magazine’s 35 Under 35 and has a certified working proficiency in Japanese language.