2023 National Travel and Tourism Week

Walton County Tourism will celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week, May 7-13, with educational events and activities for our partners, visitors and residents to learn how tourism supports our economy and way of life.  Throughout the week the Visitor Information Center staff will be giving away free souvenirs to visitors at the center, located on the corner of U.S. Highway 331 and 98.  

Please register for any of the three tourism and hospitality-related workshops on Wednesday, May 10 starting at 9 a.m. in the Linkside Ballroom, located in the Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort. This educational opportunity is open to all of our Walton County visitor-facing partners and their employees. While attendance is FREE, seating is limited to the first 100 to RSVP to Lisa@WCFLTourism.com.

Workshop topics:

9 a.m. to 10 a.m.: Influencers, Short Form Videos and LinkedIn—Let’s Talk About It! –Jennifer Edelman and Brooke Bailey of Zehnder Communications  

In this workshop, social media professionals Jennifer Edelman and Brooke Bailey will walk you through how to successfully implement influencer marketing, short-form video and LinkedIn’s capabilities into your day-to-day social media marketing strategy. Join us to hear the latest insights and take advantage of the ability to ask your questions about these multifaceted social media benefits! 

10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Cooperative Advertising with the Tourism Department --Kelli Carter, director of marketing for Walton County Tourism and Katie Campbell of Zehnder Communications

Are you curious about how the Walton County Tourism Co-Op Program can benefit your business? Join Kelli Carter and Katie Campbell as they share exciting new offerings in the FY24 program. This workshop will include a tutorial on how to navigate the digital platform and tips on how to best prepare for the upcoming sales period. We hope to see you there!

1 p.m. to 2 p.m.: Beach Operations: Who, What, Where, When, Why & How -- Brian Kellenberger, director of beach operations for Walton County Tourism

Brian Kellenberger provides an overview of Beach Operations and the current and upcoming capital improvement projects, such as the beach and bay accesses, multi-use path and parking. 

The tourism department is the sponsor of the May Walton Area Chamber of Commerce Power of Business Luncheon and will present its annual report on tourism on Monday, May 8 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the WaterColor LakeHouse, 235 WaterColor Blvd. in WaterColor. To register for this luncheon, please contact Abbie Bright at (850) 267-0683 or Abbie@waltonareachamber.com. *NOTE: There is a cost to attend this luncheon.    

Walton County Tourism is also hosting an Open House Friday, May 12, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Visitor Center. Please stop by to meet the staff and enjoy some light bites from Eagle Springs Golf Course, Cava & Cakes, Embers Bistro, Seagrove Village Market Cafe,  Chanticleer Eatery, Chef Nathan Davis--The Polished Chef, Old Florida Fish House, and Coastal Coffee Bar Co.

For more information about National Travel and Tourism Week or to register for the workshops, please contact Industry Relations Specialist Lisa Foster at Lisa@WCFLTourism.com or (850) 333-2728.