Visit Sarasota County names new CEO

Visit Sarasota County has promoted from within to appoint its next top officer. On Thursday, the VSC Board of Directors voted to appoint current Vice President Erin Duggan as the new president and CEO effective Sept. 30, when President Virginia Haley retires.

Duggan joined VSC in 2005 as public relations manager and later served as brand director. She was named vice president in 2016. In her current and previous roles she helped create initiatives such as an airline marketing incentive program that attracted new air service to Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. She developed Savor Sarasota Restaurant Week, which annually occurs the first two weeks of June. She is also credited with developing award-winning marketing and public relations campaigns.

Duggan has been a longtime community leader, serving as president of the Junior League of Sarasota and as past chair of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Youth Leadership Program. 

Professional leadership positions include Destinations Florida Board of Directors, the Board of the Society of American Travel Writers and the Visit Florida Marketing Council. Prior to her career at VSC, Duggan served as the community relations manager for the Economic Development Corp. of Sarasota County and director of marketing and communications of United Way of Manatee County.

A graduate of Florida Southern College, Duggan holds a certified destination management executive designation from Destinations International and Purdue University.