St. Johns County Parks and Recreation staff member Robert McFarland received the 2024 Tourism and Hospitality Government Employee of the Year Award from the St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau (VCB). The award was presented at a ceremony last Thursday at Treaty Park. In less than two years in the role, McFarland has made significant contributions to enhancing the area's appeal through sports tourism, earning him recognition from the VCB.
According to a statement from the VCB, McFarland made notable improvements by creating a grant portal that increased efficiency for all involved. This development led to a higher number of grants and, in turn, increased funding. "His drive and ability to improve processes set him apart," said Parks and Recreation Facility Manager Teddy Meyer in an interview with the organization's Office of Public Affairs.
McFarland’s efforts focus on promoting St. Johns County to visitors from across the globe. "It’s important to me to have these national events, regional events, local events all here to show what the County and St. Augustine has to offer," McFarland said in an interview. His work has resulted in an increase in the number of grantees from 22 to 31 in a year, as well as a rise in funding from $250,000 to over $300,000.
The recognition from the VCB highlights McFarland's contributions to St. Augustine’s broader commitment to hospitality and creating memorable visitor experiences. VCB President and CEO Susan Phillips noted, "Every great visitor experience begins with the people who make our destination so special." McFarland himself summed up the significance of his role: "There’s no price you can put on that."
