SEBRING, Fla. (Dec. 13, 2017) – On Dec. 2, Orlando-based television segment “Florida on a Tankful” won a Suncoast EMMY® Award for stories told from Highlands County. Maxwell Groves, Sebring Soda & Ice Cream Works and the Hotel Jacaranda’s elaborate holiday décor were all submitted by Florida on a Tankful reporter Scott Fais as part of an entry in the Nostalgia Category.

The Suncoast Chapter of The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences is a nonprofit Florida corporation dedicated to excellence in television. The regional EMMY® Awards highlights excellent storytelling covering television markets in the entire State of Florida, Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles and New Orleans, Louisiana, Mobile, Alabama, Thomasville, Georgia and Puerto Rico.

“Sharing the places and people of Highlands County with the rest of Florida is an honor,” Fais said after winning the first of two Emmy Awards in the same night. “There is so much to discover in Florida’s Heartland. I love searching for new murals in Lake Placid, visiting the quaint diners in Sebring and Avon Park and making time for a stroll on the boardwalk at Highlands Hammock State Park.”

During the 60-90 second segments, Fais told the story about various points of interest and things to do in Highlands County. The show airs in both the Orlando and Tampa markets, while several of the stories were syndicated and aired as part of the “Travel Monthly” newsmagazine, seen on television and on demand in cities outside Florida.

The Highlands County Tourist Development Council (TDC) worked with Fais to coordinate the segments, of which he has done about a dozen in Highlands County. Views of the segments on the Visit Sebring Facebook page alone total 600,000+.

TDC Chairman Don Elwell stated, “So many of our attractions are smaller, hidden gems. They’re largely unknown by tourists both near and far.” Elwell added, “These segments go a long way towards getting many of our undiscovered assets in front of thousands of potential new visitors.”

The mission of the TDC is to promote Highlands County as a friendly, attractive and diverse destination for tourism, thus creating a positive economic impact benefiting the entire community. It serves as a destination marketing organization that works to generate overnight stays, increase tax revenues, stimulate economic growth and strives to constantly enhance the image of Highlands County.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Casey Hartt, Marketing Consultant
Email: Casey.Wohl@Yahoo.com

Photos: The signature Florida on a Tankful postcard photo from several Highlands County TV segments.