For more Lake Mirror Classic Auto Festival pictures click here or watch the "Sports Central" TV segment here.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Celebrity Luncheon: Keynote speakers and award winners
Communications Specialist Kris Keprios introduced the guest speaker Stan Heath -- the Head Basketball coach for USF. Before coming to USF, he was the head coach at the University of Arkansas for five seasons. He also guided Kent State to a record-setting 2001-02 campaign in his first year. On top of that, he helped lead Michigan state to the national championships in 2000. Heath was recently named head men's basketball coach for the Bulls. With the football team now ranked #2, Heath said it is an exciting time on the USF campus.
We are looking forward to a great season and are going to continue to blossom as a basketball team. "Every year there are a few teams that people say 'Who are they and where did they come from?' We hope that will be us this year," said Heath. "In my opinion to have a successful program, whether football or basketball, you have to have five keys elements in place."
The five key elements any team must have in place (According to USF Head Basketball Coach Stan Heath):
1. Strong University - "To sell to recruits you have to have a top-notch school with excellent programs. USF's programs are a huge selling point for our players."
2. Coaching - "We have an unbelievable staff that continue to recruit strong talent."
3. Talent - "The players this year are not only talented, but they have strong character and they work hard."
4. Fans - "I'm here to recruit fans," said Heath. "Keep in mind, it's only about a 35-minute drive to get to the stands. The event that stands out in our mind the most was the football game against West Virginia. We had 12,000 screaming students -- that really does make a difference."
5. Facilities - "Our facilities are improving every day. As you look at the most successful programs, you will see that they have good facilities."
Celebrity Luncheon Award Winners
- Athletic Achievement Award - Southeast University Men's Golf Team (Evan Gibson accepted the award)
- Community Partner - Polk Government Television (the entire PGTV/Communication staff accepted the award)
- Hospitality Service Award - Taste of Florida, Lang's Sun Country Groves (Debbie Brozio accepted the award)
- Innovative Marketing - Friends of the Parks Foundation for their "Trek Ten Trails" campaign (foundation president Marian Ryan accepted the award)
View the pictures on centralfloridasports.com
Congratulations to all award winners from Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing.
We are looking forward to a great season and are going to continue to blossom as a basketball team. "Every year there are a few teams that people say 'Who are they and where did they come from?' We hope that will be us this year," said Heath. "In my opinion to have a successful program, whether football or basketball, you have to have five keys elements in place."
The five key elements any team must have in place (According to USF Head Basketball Coach Stan Heath):
1. Strong University - "To sell to recruits you have to have a top-notch school with excellent programs. USF's programs are a huge selling point for our players."
2. Coaching - "We have an unbelievable staff that continue to recruit strong talent."
3. Talent - "The players this year are not only talented, but they have strong character and they work hard."
4. Fans - "I'm here to recruit fans," said Heath. "Keep in mind, it's only about a 35-minute drive to get to the stands. The event that stands out in our mind the most was the football game against West Virginia. We had 12,000 screaming students -- that really does make a difference."
5. Facilities - "Our facilities are improving every day. As you look at the most successful programs, you will see that they have good facilities."
Celebrity Luncheon Award Winners
- Athletic Achievement Award - Southeast University Men's Golf Team (Evan Gibson accepted the award)
- Community Partner - Polk Government Television (the entire PGTV/Communication staff accepted the award)
- Hospitality Service Award - Taste of Florida, Lang's Sun Country Groves (Debbie Brozio accepted the award)
- Innovative Marketing - Friends of the Parks Foundation for their "Trek Ten Trails" campaign (foundation president Marian Ryan accepted the award)
View the pictures on centralfloridasports.com
Congratulations to all award winners from Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing.
Celebrity Luncheon - Pictures posted
Hank Longo just finished the welcome and introductions followed by Commissioner Randy Wilkinson (District 2) with the invocation and pledge of allegiance. With that lunch is served! Pictures are posted! Next up is a special presentation, Youth Basketball of America (YBOA). The next post will include all award winners.
Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing Celebrity Luncheon
Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing is hosting a Celebrity Luncheon at the Imperial Swan Hotel and Suites at 11:30 a.m. The Head Basketball coach University of South Florida -- Stan Heath -- will be the guest speaker. In addition, special awards will be presented to tourism and sports marketing industry partners for exceptional innovative marketing, community partnerships, hospitality service, and athletic achievement.
"This event gives us a forum to meet quarterly with industry partners to network and discuss business, while also listening to a dynamic speaker and recognizing industry achievements," said Neal Duncan, sponsorship sales manager for Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing.
We will keep you updated as the event unfolds.
"This event gives us a forum to meet quarterly with industry partners to network and discuss business, while also listening to a dynamic speaker and recognizing industry achievements," said Neal Duncan, sponsorship sales manager for Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing.
We will keep you updated as the event unfolds.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Veteran's Day weekend (pt. 2) Camp Mack Fest
Already planning your Veteran's Day weekend? There is always something going on in Polk County but especially this year November 9-11.
"Camp Mack Swamp Tour and Fishing Festival" will take place Nov. 9 and 10. Participants include the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservations Commission, Get REEL, Keep Winter Haven Clean & Beautiful, Tampa Bay Area Bass Masters and of course Camp Mack's River Resort. Events include - Fish Fry on November 9 with Buck Hummer and the Pick Ups in concert. Nov. 10 will be the family fishing derby, 8am-2pm. For fishing tournament details- Paul Thomas, 863-648-3202.
"Camp Mack Swamp Tour and Fishing Festival" will take place Nov. 9 and 10. Participants include the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservations Commission, Get REEL, Keep Winter Haven Clean & Beautiful, Tampa Bay Area Bass Masters and of course Camp Mack's River Resort. Events include - Fish Fry on November 9 with Buck Hummer and the Pick Ups in concert. Nov. 10 will be the family fishing derby, 8am-2pm. For fishing tournament details- Paul Thomas, 863-648-3202.
Live blogging on Oct. 17
Live blogging will take place during the Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing Celebrity Luncheon Series, Wednesday, October 17 - 11:30 AM. Guest speaker: Stan Heath, USF Head Basketball Coach.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Lake Mirror Classic Auto Festival, Oct. 19-21
The Lake Mirror Classic Auto Festival will be next weekend, October 19-21, Downtown Lakeland. The guys at Polk County Sports Marketing interviewed Ford Heacock on their TV show, "Sports Central" (on PGTV). Watch the Sport Central TV segment with Ford, Mark and Hank.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Veteran's Day weekend (pt. 1) - Roar 'n Soar
Already planning your Veteran's Day weekend? There is always something going on in Polk County but especially this year November 9-11. Beginning November 10, Roar 'n Soar will take place at Fantasy of Flight -- and that's just one of many events during this exciting time in Central Florida's Polk County.
Roar 'n Soar, November 10-11, will include a hot air balloon state championship race, water ski demonstrations, vintage racing boats, a classic car show, a cone race by the Jaguar Club of Central Florida and airplane exhibitions featuring aircraft from all eras.
Admission price is now available!!!
Location: Fantasy of Flight
1400 Broadway Blvd. S.E.
Polk City, FL 33868
(I-4; exit 44)
Nov. 10-11 hours: 10 am - 5 pm
Roar 'n Soar, November 10-11, will include a hot air balloon state championship race, water ski demonstrations, vintage racing boats, a classic car show, a cone race by the Jaguar Club of Central Florida and airplane exhibitions featuring aircraft from all eras.
Admission price is now available!!!
Location: Fantasy of Flight
1400 Broadway Blvd. S.E.
Polk City, FL 33868
(I-4; exit 44)
Nov. 10-11 hours: 10 am - 5 pm
Monday, October 8, 2007
Trek Ten Trails Kick-Off Celebration
The long awaited day finally arrived! More than 1,000 people of all ages came to the kick-off celebration of "Trek Ten Trails". View some of the pictures from the first event here posted on flickr.com.
Come out to the next event, November 10 at Lakeland Highlands Scrub, 9 AM
You can still pick-up your "Celebrate Nature Passport Journal" at Polk Outpost 27, Polk County's Visitor Information Center. Polk Outpost 27 is open daily from 9am-6pm.
Come out to the next event, November 10 at Lakeland Highlands Scrub, 9 AM
You can still pick-up your "Celebrate Nature Passport Journal" at Polk Outpost 27, Polk County's Visitor Information Center. Polk Outpost 27 is open daily from 9am-6pm.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Tourist Development Council Appointments
The Polk County Board of County Commissioners recently appointed Lakeland Center Executive Director, Mike LaPan to the Tourist Development Council. The TDC's nine member advisory board to the BoCC oversees Tourism & Sports Marketing programs and revenue, which is generated by the 5 percent tourist tax on short term rentals of six months or less (hotels, motels, vacation rental homes, condos and RV parks). "We are pleased to have Mike LaPan serve on the Tourist Development Council," said Mark Jackson, Director of Tourism and Sports Marketing for Polk County. "The Lakeland Center plays a key role in Polk County's Tourism and Sports Marketing industry and Mike has done an outstanding job there," Jackson said. In addition to the appointment of LaPan, the BoCC also reappointed current board member Jeff Vandiver. Vandiver is the General Manager of the Best Western Admiral's Inn and Conference Center in Winter Haven.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Free Marketing Opportunities
Central Florida VCB News
Sign up Today For Two Free Marketing Opportunities: Home for the Holidays and Passport to Adventure and Savings.
As the holiday season approaches, many visitors are making plans to come "home" to Polk County. Take part in "Home for the Holidays" - a campaign that encourages family and friends of Polk County residents to stay in local lodging properties and visit local attractions and merchants.
To be eligible to receive the special offers, the family and friends must stay at a Polk County property and request the "Home for the Holidays" special rate. We welcome your participation. For more information contact Polk County Tourism and Sports Markeing at 863-523-2500.
Deadline for this free marketing opportunity is October 12.
The Passport to Adventure and Savings will be distributed to Visitors to Polk Outpost 27 and Florida's Welcome Centers at I-75 and I-95. It will also reach people who have requested a Vacation Guide on visitcentralflorida.org. Last year there were 80 special offers in a coupon booklet. This year each person will receive a Passport to Adventure and Savings Card and a brochure listing all the offers. There is no charge, but the form must be received by October 17. For more information contact Polk County Tourism and Sports Markeing at 863-523-2500
Sign up Today For Two Free Marketing Opportunities: Home for the Holidays and Passport to Adventure and Savings.
As the holiday season approaches, many visitors are making plans to come "home" to Polk County. Take part in "Home for the Holidays" - a campaign that encourages family and friends of Polk County residents to stay in local lodging properties and visit local attractions and merchants.
To be eligible to receive the special offers, the family and friends must stay at a Polk County property and request the "Home for the Holidays" special rate. We welcome your participation. For more information contact Polk County Tourism and Sports Markeing at 863-523-2500.
Deadline for this free marketing opportunity is October 12.
The Passport to Adventure and Savings will be distributed to Visitors to Polk Outpost 27 and Florida's Welcome Centers at I-75 and I-95. It will also reach people who have requested a Vacation Guide on visitcentralflorida.org. Last year there were 80 special offers in a coupon booklet. This year each person will receive a Passport to Adventure and Savings Card and a brochure listing all the offers. There is no charge, but the form must be received by October 17. For more information contact Polk County Tourism and Sports Markeing at 863-523-2500
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
