Neal Duncan Appointed New Polk Coun...Neal Duncan Appointed New Polk...

Neal Duncan Appointed New Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing Director

Published: August 4, 2026

Bartow, Fla. (Aug. 4, 2026) - The Polk County Board of County Commissioners confirmed the appointment of Neal Duncan as the new Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing Division Director on Tuesday, Aug. 4. He will begin serving in the role on Monday, Aug. 17.

As the Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing Director, Duncan will oversee a budget of approximately $42.7 million, 32 employees and Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing Division's daily operations.

"I am incredibly honored and humbled by the confidence County Manager Bill Beasley and the Board of County Commissioners have placed in me," said Neal Duncan. "Mark Jackson is a visionary, and Tourism and Sports Marketing has an outstanding team and an incredible legacy of success. I look forward to working alongside our staff, industry partners, and community stakeholders to continue growing Polk County's visitor economy, enhancing our national reputation, and creating opportunities that benefit our residents and local businesses."

Duncan joined the Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing Division in 2006 as the Senior Business Development Manager where he led the division's corporate sponsorship program, cultivated strategic partnerships and supported destination marketing initiatives. In 2019, he stepped into a new role serving as the division's Senior Sales and Events Manager where he led the county's sports tourism program, managed major event recruitment efforts, coordinated partnerships with national governing bodies and local stakeholders.

Duncan earned his bachelor's degree in recreation and sports management from Indiana State University.

He will succeed Mark Jackson, who will be retiring from the county following 34 years of service. Duncan will earn $146,000.14 annually.