In the heart of the picturesque Sarasota/Bradenton area, our company recently sponsored the highly anticipated Sports Sarasota Hotel Committee meeting. This event brought together a multitude of individuals deeply vested in the hospitality industry, including general managers, our local visitor bureau (CVB), and sports club leaders. This gathering was a blend of discussions, gourmet delights, refreshing drinks, and talks of exciting future plans for the Sarasota region.
The choice of venue can significantly influence the ambiance of an event, and the Sarasota Hotel Committee meeting found the perfect setting at Anna Maria Oyster Bar on Landslide. Nestled in the heart of Bradenton, this venue offered an ideal atmosphere for productive announcements and networking.
Anna Maria Oyster Bar's coastal charm, and nautical décor, created a relaxed and inviting backdrop for the event, setting the stage for an unforgettable evening.
No hospitality-focused event is complete without the delight of exceptional food and beverages. The culinary team at Anna Maria Oyster Bar did not disappoint.
Fresh seafood took center stage, with a mouthwatering ceviche, alongside a rib & coleslaw bowl. Of course, we can’t forget the amazing hushpuppy baskets as well! Attendees savored these culinary delights while mingling with each other.
Everyone was feeling excited and relaxed as we got into announcements.
One of the highlights of the evening was the impressive lineup of announcements. Representatives from our local CVB and sports clubs took the stage to share their insights and future plans, igniting excitement among attendees.
These speakers emphasized Sarasota's vast potential as a premier sports destination, discussing upcoming initiatives and events aimed at showcasing the region's stunning beaches, cultural attractions, and world-class sports facilities. Their presentations left a lasting impression, sparking discussions on collaborations that could elevate Sarasota's hospitality industry.
Beyond the gourmet delights, refreshing drinks, and insightful announcements, the Sarasota Hotel Committee meeting was used for networking and collaboration within the hospitality industry. With one of the largest turnouts for these meetings, attendees exchanged ideas, forged new connections, and laid the groundwork for exciting future projects.
The Sarasota Hotel Committee meeting at Anna Maria Oyster Bar sponsored by Pellucid Travel was a resounding success. Industry professionals converged to celebrate the past, discuss the present, and chart an exciting course for the future of hospitality in Sarasota. This gathering reaffirmed Sarasota's status as a dynamic and vibrant destination, with its eye on larger and more events.
Have an event or group you need housing for? Do not hesitate to ask about our free service that will benefit you. Connecting is what we do best… Housing too.
In recent months our team has been crushing it with conventions. Pellucid Travel will be wrapping up our fourth convention this year at the end of February! So you can say we are becoming experts. After attending United Soccer Coaches Convention, Laxcon, and Sunshine Sports Council Think Tank, our team has prepared some pointers for those heading to a convention and who are unsure of what to expect.
Tip 1: Plan your trip ahead of time!
Plan ahead as much as possible, this means setting up your travel accommodations and planning with your team. Do you need any collateral to bring, what is your goal when meeting with others, who do you want to see there, and setting up any marketing material ahead of time.
Tip 2: Buying a booth is not always necessary.
Our team has found that it can actually be beneficial to forgo the booth and walk the floor the whole time handing out cards and chatting with others. This way you saved some $$ and get to talk with more like-minded people.
Tip 3: Attend a social hour.
After attendees walk the floor and finish for the day you can often find them in a more casual setting like a happy hour or grabbing food where conversation can be more relaxed. You would be surprised at how many great conversations and even partnerships come out of these social gatherings. It takes the edge off being in this type of setting while still being professional.
Tip 4: Announce your attendance online!
Before any show, we like to announce that our team members will be in attendance on social media. Now people can make appointments ahead of time, you can reach your goal quicker, and it gives you a schedule when people do make appointments.
When heading to a convention it is always best to be prepared and work it well. Never forget to have fun in between though, a lot of the multiple-day conventions will put on exciting activities for everyone, and it’s a great way to amplify your experience. If you found these tips useful share them with someone you know who is getting ready to head to a convention!
Most people like to start the new year off with a bang, while we want to end it with one also. This holiday season we have gotten the greatest gift of all.. 3 new employees! All of which bring so much talent and personality to our growing team.
Introducing David Oakes as a new Client Relation specialist David graduated in 2008 with a Bachelor’s degree in marketing. He is an experienced professional who has been in the customer service and Account management field for the last 15 years. His passion for customer service always leaves customers in a better place than where they started their experience. David has a strong passion for sports, in between playing men's league and coaching his son's youth team, you can find David watching his son's baseball games, or spending time with his wife and daughter.
We didn’t stop there though, adding another Client Relationship Specialist in the mix, meet Aaron Maciejewski! Aaron has been in customer service for over 15 years, spending the majority of that time in luxury retail and fitness. When working with his clients, Aaron is always looking to elevate their experience and help create moments that will stay with them for years to come. When Aaron is not at pellucid, he can be found instructing at Spoke Cycle + Fitness in the Rochester area. There, he leads spin and row classes; pushing his members to take steps toward achieving their fitness goals.
Our next new hire is now coming into a position we have never had at Pellucid. Welcoming Sara Meadow to our team as our first Brand Manager! Sara graduated in 2020 with a degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology from Florida Gulf Coast University. However, since graduating she has pursued a career in marketing having 3 years in the industry and continues to grow. To Pellucid's advantage, Sara has grown up around the hotel industry giving her knowledge of what we are all about. With Sara's go-getter mentality she strives to set her team up for success! Outside of work you can find her traveling around the US as she seeks adventure or laying low with the thing that makes her happiest (her cat VV).
This is only a small snippet of who they are but they jive perfectly with our team. All three of these awesome people have hit the ground running in their first few weeks and are ready to accomplish our goals of making good things happen for others.
Visit our team page to see the pellucid team continue to grow!
On this version of Tournament Talk we chat with Sean Flaherty the Co-Founder and CEO of Playeasy. The conversation focuses on Sean's career, the origin story of Playeasy, what is next for their platform, and how it positively affects the sports tourism industry.
We are excited to spotlight our partner, Ashley Gersuk Murphy with Summit Lacrosse Ventures. Her organization is a leader in nationwide lacrosse events and programs for boys, girls, men, and women, with a clear focus on the responsible and sustainable growth of the game. They deliver exceptional value and first-class experiences for their customers, with an emphasis on the development of life skills, alongside athletic skills. She is a 4-time team captain and National Champion from Northwestern. With 15 years of experience in the industry, we are excited to share a small part of Ashley’s story.
What is your earliest sports memory?
- My earliest sports memories are a combination of playing every sport under the sun with my brother and neighbors in our neighborhood cul-de-sac, throwing the baseball with my Dad, and begging my Mom to lobby the local Boys & Girls Club to allow me to be the first girl to play baseball little league, rather than softball. She succeeded!
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
- I always wanted to be in the FBI, and also to be a college athlete.
Did your involvement in sports change your approach or motivate you to do anything differently during your time with Summit?
- My lifelong involvement in sports is fundamental to who I am, and most everything I do in my adult life – team orientation, work ethic, motivation to succeed, leadership, accountability – these all stem from the experiences and skills developed as an athlete who was always a part of something bigger than myself, with a great drive to be better, and makes those around me better.
What has been Summit Lacrosse Ventures' best achievement and biggest challenge so far?
- Summit Lacrosse Ventures (SLV) was formed in 2015 as an umbrella organization to manage various existing events, and engage in new event opportunities. Our best achievement thus far has been to maintain the character, integrity, and history of our traditional events (ex. Lake Placid Summit Classic, est. 1990 and Northstar Midwest Showcase, est. 2005), while streamlining, professionalizing, and standardizing our operations to create an ‘SLV standard’ to meet the expectations of today’s customer and our industry’s evolving landscape. Our biggest challenge was in the face of the global pandemic – to ensure the survival of our organization, and maintain the jobs and livelihoods of our small team, while protecting the customer relationships that we value tremendously. I am proud to say that we survived, rebuilt, and are well positioned for long-term sustainability.
What is your vision for Summit Lacrosse Ventures in the future?
- SLV will continue to operate high-quality events in desirable destinations because we firmly believe in the enduring value of team and family-oriented experiences, in special places. We strive to give young athletes a platform to develop tools for success in life, and we believe that the experiences offered through quality youth sports are a fundamental piece of the puzzle.
What is one piece of advice you would give to someone wanting to run events in the youth amateur sports industry?
- You must have a passion for youth sports and their value to our next generation. From there, (some) keys to success are sound strategy, relationships, diligence, transparency, and adaptability. The adage – “do it right or do it twice’ – holds true!
Lori is a trusted partner of ours and someone our staff truly enjoys working with, so we wanted to share a little more about her journey in the business. We have learned a lot from Lori and we think you will too! Lori has a proven track record of strong positive leadership utilizing a team-focused approach. She oversees all aspects of the business strategy, growth, and development. A former DI player at the University of Richmond in field hockey and lacrosse, and a former US National team member.
What is your earliest sports memory?
- Does the kickboard race on the swim team at the age of 5 count? It’s crazy that I remember that first race so clearly.
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
- I went from wanting to be a veterinarian to a teacher to a forensic science investigator. That was until I realized there was NO WAY could I handle investigating crimes! I just liked the idea of gathering facts/clues to find answers.
Did your children’s involvement in sports change your approach or motivate you to do anything differently?
- Having your children experience different coaching styles and go through the recruiting process definitely widens your perspective and understanding. You truly understand and appreciate what parents go through as they support their children in sports and help them find their way to a college decision.
What has been Top Threat/Triple Threat’s best achievement and biggest challenge so far?
- We were able to restart our business in the middle of a pandemic and are thriving! We love what we do and the people we work with.
What is one piece of advice you would give to someone wanting to run events in the youth amateur sports industry?
- Do your market research. Be sure to find a need and a niche that is not being served or not being served well. Listen to what the customers want.
Jason Puckett speaks with Mark Dvoroznak, Operations & Co-Founder of Base Sports Group, to discuss bringing a professional sports sponsorship approach to amateur sports. Valuable best practices are shared to help facilities and event organizers drive more revenue.
Listen to the full interview here!
Jason Puckett sat down with William Knox, President/ Owner of Legacy Sports Group and partner of The Collective, to discuss the current state of the industry regarding facilities, his new initiative with SportsETA, and to provide destinations and facility operators insight from an industry leader.
Listen to the full interview here
We are excited to announce four new Client Relationship Specialists to the Pellucid Travel family. They all join with a wealth of knowledge in the travel industry and to get to know them better, we asked them a few fun questions below. For more information on their background, check our Meet the Team page.
Kelsey Fischer
1. Why do you love working in the travel industry?
Meeting and getting to know people from all across the country. You learn about different lifestyles and locations. I can "see" a little bit of the country without having to visit it, although given the chance to visit - I'd jump at it!
2. Who is your favorite sports team?
Anything Syracuse University, Bills, or Yankees
3. Best sports memory
I love watching my kids enjoy their sports and the excitement they have playing and competing!
Gretchen Secky
1. Why do you love working in the travel industry?
Getting to know different areas of the country and learning something historical about it is my personal favorite reason for traveling!
2. Who is your favorite sports team?
Buffalo Bills Baby!!!
3. Best sports memory
Playing catch with Johnny Bench, Brooks Robinson and Lou Brock at Cooperstown. I didn't know then what legends they were!!
Linda Smith
1. Why do you love working in the travel industry?
My love of travel would be my reason. I want to share that love with other people to make the best experience possible happen for them. If I can just do one thing to make their experience better, it's worth it. Sharing tips or recommendations is the best way to do that.
2. Who is your favorite sports team?
Currently, it's the Tampa Bay Bucs. When Greg Jennings played for Green Bay, I rooted for them, having a personal connection to Greg after booking many trips for him and his wife, Nicole, including their honeymoon.
3. Best sports memory?
I played a mediocre tennis game in my teen years but lived vicariously through watching my brothers compete at national events, meeting future tennis celebrity stars along the way. I continued supporting my own kids, my daughter, a competitive baton twirler, winning the World Championship in Amsterdam and my son. played college baseball. I can't say that I have just one favorite, because I keep making new sports memories with my grandsons, the oldest playing college football in the fall.
Patti Gaudy
1. Why do you love working in the travel industry?
I love working in the travel industry because generally, people are happy when they travel! I am a "people person" by nature and love to interact with the clients, whether it is for a traveling sports team or a vacation client. My vacation clients are fun because I can recommend places, I've been to myself and can share my own experiences to help make their vacation the best ever!
2. Who is your favorite sports team?
I guess I would have to say the Buffalo Bills, since it's my "home" team. They've had their ups and downs, but their "ups" are especially fun to watch! Also, I worked with the team scheduling all of the corporate events at their Summer Training Camp for 19 years, so I guess that's why they are my favorite team!
3. Best sports memory
I didn't play sports myself, but thoroughly enjoyed watching my kids play everything from soccer, football, cheerleading and dance! My best sports memory has to have been watching my son play soccer in his senior year of high school. Even though he played club soccer since he was 8 yrs old, his senior year was the first year he played Varsity. He was a track star and a wrestler but decided to play soccer in his last year of high school. He started out slow but was soon nicknamed "The Machine" and helped take his team to the State Championships that year! Very exciting for me to watch!
Listen to the full interview here!