Sports tourism leader Richard Sanders has been named the new vice president of special projects for Visit Panama City Beach, a role in which he will focus on the continued development of the Panama City Beach Sports Complex.
“For over 25 years, Richard Sanders has been instrumental in the destination’s continued growth as a leader in sports and events, and we are thrilled to announce his transition to overseeing the evolution of the Panama City Beach Sports Complex,” says Dan Rowe, president and CEO of Visit Panama City Beach, in a prepared statement.
Over the decades, Sanders has worked to elevate sports tourism and special events in Panama City Beach since 1998, generating more than $1 billion in economic impact at the destination. He oversaw the addition of new fields at Frank Brown Park, numerous renovations, and the establishment of the $42 million Publix Sports Park. As a city that attracts 125,000 annual visitors for sports tournaments and events alone, Sanders has helped shape Panama City Beach as a premier sports tourism destination.
Additionally, plans are underway to add indoor space to the Panama City Beach Sports Complex with the development of a new 130,000-square-foot indoor facility that will allow the destination to expand and diversify its sports tourism offerings for large-scale events in gymnastics, cheerleading, volleyball, basketball, wrestling, and pickleball. The indoor complex will feature eight courts, banquet space, concert capabilities, and thousands of square feet for conference and meeting spaces.