Exhibitor Spotlights Creating Meaningful Connections at the DeSoto County Resource Fair

One of the most powerful aspects of the DeSoto County Resource Fair is the creativity and intention exhibitors bring to engaging with the community. From interactive experiences to practical tools and advocacy-driven conversations, organizations showed up not just to share information but to build relationships. Three exhibitors in particular highlighted how different approaches can all contribute to a stronger, healthier DeSoto County.

Engaging Through Experience: Junior Golf Association of Arcadia
For Emily Morris and the Junior Golf Association of Arcadia, inspiration began with a simple question: how do you encourage people to engage rather than just pass by a table?

Their answer was to turn the booth into an experience. Attendees were invited to try putting, an activity directly aligned with the organization’s mission of helping juniors learn and enjoy the game of golf. Participation wasn’t just encouraged; it was rewarded. Everyone walked away with something, but the more successful the putt, the larger the giveaway, ranging from swag items to free golf and lessons.

This playful approach sparked conversation and curiosity. Many attendees were surprised to learn that Arcadia even has a local golf course, let alone a program that helps youth learn and play golf at little to no cost. The experience created natural opportunities to share the organization’s story and to form genuine connections with both community members and fellow exhibitors.

Supporting Everyday Life and Safety: Florida Department of Health | DeSoto County
For Heather Smith, Community Program Administrator with the Florida Department of Health, the Resource Fair represents far more than outreach; it is a chance to strengthen the connections that make community health work possible.

This year, the department’s booth focused on providing practical tools that support everyday convenience and safety for families. One highlight was a food basket giveaway designed to help with grocery shopping, organization, and sustainability, especially timely with a new grocery store opening in the community.

The team also emphasized food and medication safety, particularly important in a region that experiences storms and power outages. Refrigerator thermometers were shared to help families ensure food and medications remain at safe temperatures during emergencies, offering peace of mind and promoting preparedness.

Beyond serving residents, the event energized staff as well, especially those who do not typically hold public-facing roles. The Resource Fair gave them the opportunity to engage directly with the community and learn more about the network of organizations serving DeSoto County. For Heather and her team, it was a reminder that collaboration truly strengthens everyone’s work. 

Sparking Conversation for Healthier Spaces: DeSoto County Tobacco Free Partnership
For Jodie DeLoach, DeSoto County Tobacco Program Manager, participating in the Resource Fair offered a valuable opportunity for the DeSoto County Tobacco Free Partnership to connect directly with community members.

Their booth was intentionally designed to spark conversation, creating space to discuss how tobacco-free policies help protect youth and create healthier environments for everyone. Rather than focusing solely on education, the goal was dialogue: meeting people where they are and sharing how local efforts are already making a positive impact.

Receiving Pay It Forward recognition served as a meaningful reminder that sharing this work—both in person and through social media—helps strengthen awareness and community support. For the Tobacco Free Partnership, events like the Resource Fair matter because they bring people together, encourage collaboration, and help move the community forward in positive, healthy ways.

Why These Stories Matter
Though each exhibitor approached engagement differently, through play, preparedness, or advocacy, they shared a common goal: strengthening the community through connection. Their experiences highlight why the DeSoto County Resource Fair continues to matter. It is not just a place to distribute information, but a space where trust is built, ideas are exchanged, and organizations discover new ways to work together.

As these stories show, when organizations are given the space to connect authentically, with residents and with one another, the result is a stronger, more informed, and more resilient DeSoto County.