Jack Cormier

Polk hosts diverse slate of meetings and events

May 8, 2019 | Baseball, Endurance, Newsletter, Other

Planners and shooters and pageants, oh my. For a diverse menu of events, look at the recent slate held in Polk County. In the span of a week, the efforts of Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing staff paid big dividends for the county: 2019 State Science and...

New roles at PCTSM for Zimmerman, Duncan

| Newsletter, Other

Two longtime Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing managers have accepted new positions within the organization. Marc Zimmerman, the longtime Senior Sales Events Manager for Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing, now has a new focus. “I’m thrilled to be the...

Is Winter Haven the Water Ski Capital of the World?

| Newsletter, Other, Water Sports

For these international skiers, the answer is a resounding yes Beautiful lakes, bountiful opportunities, gorgeous weather and caring people – all are major attractors and a big part of Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing’s recruiting efforts that promote us as...

Famed original Batcopter whirls into SUN ‘n FUN

Apr 3, 2019 | Other

It may be remembered for the iconic “POW!” “BIFF!” and “SOCK!” exclamations from its fight scenes, but fans of the iconic Technicolor TV show “Batman” really know why they watched… …it was all those marvelous Bat-toys. Who can forget the Batarangs, the Batshield and,...

Ugandan lives improved by efforts in Lakeland, Detroit

Mar 20, 2019 | Baseball, Newsletter, Other

Ugandan survivors of the child sex trade may never come to the United States, let alone Polk County. However, a chance encounter between a Detroit Tigers pitcher and a member of the Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing staff may make their life a little better. A...

RussMatt umpires, like players, come from around the country

Mar 18, 2019 | Baseball, Other

The RussMatt Central Florida Invitational brings more than just college baseball teams – and their fans – from every corner of the country to Central Florida. Considering the event is more than 270 teams playing well over 1,000 games, the event requires that the most...

Celebrate 50 years of ‘The Love Bug’

Mar 11, 2019 | Other

Men were walking on the moon, “Scooby Doo” and “The Brady Bunch” both premiered on television and a certain sentient sedan ruled the box office. Believe it or not, it has been 50 years since the release of the movie “The Love Bug.” Since then, Herbie the pugnacious...

More than 270 teams for RussMatt

Mar 4, 2019 | Other

Hail, hail, the games are all here. Baseball games, that is. With the return of the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational, Polk County can rightly lay claim to being the baseball capital of the world – at least for a month. With more than 270 teams playing more than...

Quidditch championship returns to Auburndale

| Other

Quaffles, bludgers and a Golden Snitch or two were all on the field as muggles took part in the South Regional Championship for US Quidditch (USQ) at Lake Myrtle Park in Auburndale Feb. 16 and 17. Teams from around the state of Florida as well as South Carolina took...

VIC enjoys Spring Training event

| Other

The Tigers aren’t the only ones to enjoy Spring Training. There were long lines and anxious visitors, but this crowd wasn’t trying to get into Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium – they were trying to get into the Central Florida Visitors Information Center. The...