Looking for things to do in Charlotte County? Or, looking for a restaurant to grab a bite to eat? Or, need ideas on how to keep your out-of-town company entertained during their two-week stay? The Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau is pleased to announce the opening of its new visitor center and offices located in Murdock Plaza at 1700 Tamiami Trail, Suite G2, Port Charlotte, Fla.
Available at the new visitor center are the Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Adventure Journal, area maps, and guides and brochures representing accommodations, attractions, events, restaurants, shopping and other activities of interest within Charlotte County. Videos promoting Charlotte County activities loop on an overhead television screen. Also available is the popular “This Week’s Happenings,” a weekly calendar of events published by the Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau that’s also available online each Friday afternoon. www.pureflorida.com/events.
From beaches to restaurants and fishing charters to boutique shops and boat tours to theatrical performances, visitors and residents will discover the variety of things to do, see and taste in the destination. The Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau is open Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The VCB can still be contacted at its existing telephone number of (941) 743-1900.
Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau
Murdock Plaza
1700 Tamiami Trail, Suite G2
Port Charlotte, Fla. 33948
Tel: (941) 743-1900
Visitor Information: 1-800-652-6090
www.PureFlorida.com
Each year, the Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau conducts marketing, sales and promotional campaigns to increase awareness of and visitation to Charlotte County. In addition to generating economic contributions, the Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau is also focused on developing soft adventure or eco-tourism, a low-impact industry enabling the county to preserve the invaluable natural resources that contribute to its ecological health, distinguish the area and draw visitors. Visit AdventureAndWildlife.com to view the destination’s outdoor adventure series called Adventure and Wildlife Hosted by the Shark Brothers.
During calendar year 2016, Charlotte County welcomed an estimated 406,700 visitors and tourism generated an estimated $362,227,100 in direct expenditures and made an estimated $552 million economic impact in Charlotte County.
Volunteers Needed
Residents and seasonal residents interested in volunteering as Information Specialists at the new Visitor Center, which includes interacting with visitors and helping them make the most of their stay in Charlotte County, can apply by completing the “Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners Volunteer Application Form” located on the Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners Human Resources site. Visit CharlotteCountyFL.gov, on the left-hand tool bar, select “Department Listing;” select “Human Resources;” on the Human Resources page, on the right-hand side under “Related Links,” select “Volunteer and Internship Opportunities” and review available volunteer opportunities and complete and submit the application as indicated. (Direct link: https://www.charlottecountyfl.gov/dept/humanresources/Pages/Volunteer-in-Public-Service.aspx)
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MEDIA CONTACTS
Jennifer Huber
Tourism Public Relations Manager
Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau
(941) 743-1900
[email protected]
Michelle Tomao, Senior Account Executive
Aqua Marketing & Communications
(727) 452-4899
[email protected]
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ABOUT PUNTA GORDA / ENGLEWOOD BEACH
Located halfway between Tampa and Naples on the Southwest Florida Gulf Coast, Punta Gorda /Englewood Beach is a charming collection of nine coastal communities surrounding the state’s second largest harbor. Florida’s premier year-round eco-tourism destination, the area offers a pristine unspoiled beauty. In 2014, Port Charlotte was named the top “U.S. Best Value Destination” by Trivago (the world’s largest online hotel search site), and the Charlotte Sports Park, spring training home of the Tampa Bay Rays, was voted “Best Spring Training Facility” by readers of USA TODAY. A haven for outdoor enthusiasts, Punta Gorda / Englewood Beach has been named one of SAIL magazine’s “10 Greatest Places to Sail in the United States,” ranked by Golf Digest as “Third Best Place to Live and Play Golf in America,” and rated by MONEY magazine as one of the “Best Places to Live in the South.” Englewood was named second of the Top Ten emerging travel destinations in the U.S. by TripAdvisor.com. The area is served by five airports: The Punta Gorda Airport (PDG) with private and charter air service, Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ), Southwest Florida International Airport, Ft. Myers, (RSW), St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) and Tampa International Airport (TPA). For more information on visiting Punta Gorda / Englewood Beach visit http://PureFlorida.com or call1-800-652-6090.