SJC Parks and Recreation Employee Robert McFarland Earns 2024 Tourism and Hospitality Government Employee of the Year Award

• 28 April 2025
• Category: SJC News Parks and Recreation
• Tags: 2025

Award recognizes major efforts in bringing sports tourism to St. Johns County

2024 Tourism and Hospitality Government Employee of the Year Award

On April 24, the St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau (VCB) presented Sports Tourism Development Specialist Robert “Bobby” McFarland its prestigious St. Johns County 2024 Tourism and Hospitality Employee of the Year Award. The Office of Public Affairs produced a video to commemorate the event.

McFarland was recognized in the VCB’s government category. Staff and officials from the VCB and St. Johns County Parks and Recreation surprised him with the award during a ceremony at Treaty Park.

“Every great visitor experience begins with the people who make our destination so special,” VCB President and CEO Susan Phillips said. “These awards recognize the heart and soul of Florida’s Historic Coast—our tourism and hospitality professionals who go above and beyond every day to create unforgettable moments for our visitors. We are proud to celebrate their dedication, passion, and excellence.”

In less than two years with Parks and Recreation, Robert McFarland’s work in attracting lucrative sporting events to St. Johns County made an impressive impact.

“Robert took the initiative to build a comprehensive grant portal from scratch, revolutionizing how we manage and distribute funds,” Parks and Recreation Facility Manager Teddy Meyer wrote when nominating McFarland for the award. “This new portal system streamlined the entire process, making it more efficient and accessible for potential grantees. His ability to innovate and implement this system has directly contributed to the success of our program.”

“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.

Meyer added that McFarland’s efforts raised the number of grantees from 22 to 31 within a single calendar year and increased the total grantee award from $250,000 to over $300,000.

“His drive and his ability to make things better was the reason he set himself apart, simple as that,” Meyer said.

“I’m extremely proud of showing what we, as a community, have to offer here, because once people get a glimpse of it, they never forget it and they always want to come back,” McFarland said. “There’s no price you can put on that.”