Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/348392
county instead of stopping only at the shop- ping center. When Vice Chairwoman Christine Robinson asked specifically where Visit Sarasota County's mall location will be, Haley explained that staff members and volunteers will work at "a large kiosk area" inside the main entrance. Maps will be built into the countertop, she said, and "beautiful photos of the county" will be highly visible above the counter. When Robinson then asked whether any sig- nage will direct travelers to the kiosk inside the mall, Haley replied that she and her staff are negotiating with FDOT for signage on both the northbound and southbound lanes of Interstate 75 near the University Parkway interchange, as well as a sign on University Parkway and at the main entrance to the mall. Noting that three of the commission- ers are members of the Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), Robinson told Haley, "If we can help with that … keep us in the loop." Robinson pointed out that FDOT District One Secretary Billy Hattaway regularly attends the MPO meetings. "We [had] the initial conversation last week [with FDOT staff]," Haley replied. Finally, Haley told the commissioners that 20 percent of her 2015 fiscal year budget would be allocated to professional services, "which is far below the industry average." That aver- age is 38.8 percent for tourism organizations with budgets of similar size, according to data Haley provided the board. VSC has 19 staff members and 40 volunteers, a slide in her presentation noted. % Visit Sarasota County will be relocating from the historic Chidsey Building on the bayfront to a space near the heart of downtown Sarasota. Photo courtesy Sarasota County Sarasota News Leader July 18, 2014 Page 58