Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach, FL — April 7, 2026 — The Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau partnered with Sunseeker Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton, to host the Hilton Worldwide Sales Conference (HSC) in March 2026. Hilton selected the destination to give approximately 300 of its sales professionals firsthand experience with a new, large-scale Southwest Florida resort capable of accommodating major meetings and events.
The program showcased Sunseeker Resort’s extensive meeting and event facilities, highlighted the guest experience, and positioned both the resort and the greater Southwest Florida Gulf Coast as premier destinations for group, incentive, and convention business.
Hilton chose Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach for its combination of waterfront appeal, newly opened hospitality product, robust meeting capabilities, and convenient access from key feeder markets.
As a result of the visit, the destination expects increased awareness, stronger consideration, and future sourcing activity from Hilton’s sales professionals—many of whom were visiting the area for the first time and play an influential role in guiding group business nationwide.
“We were incredibly pleased with the success of the HWS Conference and the level of engagement it generated across our sales team,” said Vince Parrotta, Vice President & Managing Director of Sunseeker Resort. “The event provided a valuable platform to connect, collaborate, and showcase the unique offerings of Sunseeker Resort and the surrounding destination. It’s clear that the experience resonated strongly with our team, further reinforcing confidence in the market and its potential for future group business.”
About Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach
Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting all of Charlotte County, Fl as a world-class destination. We work with a variety of stakeholders to develop and implement marketing programs that attract visitors, generate economic benefits and enhance the quality of life for residents.
Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach is Florida’s best-kept secret of a charming natural paradise located on the idyllic Southwest Gulf Coast. This coastal community surrounding the state’s second-largest harbor sits conveniently between Tampa and Naples. Outdoor enthusiasts will find a haven of vibrant experiences in the sun-soaked oasis of the Southwest Florida islands, characterized by almost year-round sunshine and sub-tropical weather. Relaxation and discovery await in miles of waterways and inland exploration trails filled with unspoiled natural beauty. From beaches to boating, hiking to harbor tours, fishing to nature paths; to sun, shelling, and fossilized sharks’ teeth, Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach immerses lively locals and active adventurers in a pure island experience. Most notably known for its 230 miles of pristine unparalleled shoreline, including captivating river passages, a mangrove-edged aquatic preserve, and more than a dozen miles of natural Gulf beaches, the Charlotte Harbor Gulf Island Coast includes the areas of Boca Grande, Don Pedro Island, Englewood-Cape Haze, Little Gasparilla Island, Manasota Key, Knight Island, Placida, Babcock Ranch, Port Charlotte, Charlotte Harbor and Punta Gorda.
To learn more about Punta Gorda / Englewood Beach, visit www.PureFlorida.com, call 941.743.1900 or discover the destination on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @RealPureFlorida.
Punta Gorda Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau Contact:
Lois Croft – Director of Public Relations
Lois.croft@pureflorida.com
