“On behalf of the Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association, we are honored to present Jason Siegel with the 2022 Charles Andrews Memorial Hospitality Award and we sincerely thank him for all of his efforts.” 

- Robert Agrusa, President & CEO

Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association

Around The Horn.

• The Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association (CFHLA) announced it will recognize Jason Siegel, President & CEO of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission as the association’s 2022 Charles Andrews Memorial Hospitality Award recipient at the upcoming CFHLA Hospitality Gala on Saturday, December 17. Presented annually, it is the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by CFHLA, and recognizes their achievements and contributions to Central Florida’s Hospitality Industry and the community at large.
• Orlando's bowl matchups are set! The LSU Tigers and the Purdue Boilermakers will play in the 2023 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on January 2, the Florida State Seminoles will meet the Oklahoma Sooners in the 2022 Cheez-It Bowl on December 29, and the Troy Trojans will take on the UTSA Roadrunners in the Duluth Trading Cure Bowl on December 16.
• As part of the DeVos family’s 30 Grants for 30 Years Initiative, a total of $3 million will be donated to 30 area nonprofit organizations over 18 months, investing in people and projects impacting youth, essential needs for families, and community enrichment across Central Florida. The DeVos Family Foundation Grant is set to help Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Florida that are creating life-changing relationships for youth.
• The Orlando Solar Bears announced the return of the team’s annual Food Festival, which will take place on Saturday, January 21, 2023 from 4-6:30 p.m. prior to the team’s game that evening against the Greenville Swamp Rabbits at the AdventHealth Rink at Amway Center. Game and Food Fest ticket combos start as low as $40.
• Orlando Pride has inked midfielder Viviana Villacorta through the 2024 season. Villacorta was selected by the Pride with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2021 NWSL Draft and is coming off a strong rookie season in 2022.
• As The Villages continue to flourish and make its mark as another Central Florida hotspot, more sporting organizers are choosing to come closer to the borders of Florida’s Friendliest Hometown. The AVP beach volleyball circuit brought its 2022 season to a close Sunday on the shores of Lake Harris, as the AVP Pro Series Central Florida Open became the first December event in the circuit’s nearly 40-year history. 
• Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac, who has not played an NBA game since tearing his ACL in August 2020, is set to practice for the teams G League affiliate this week. The 6-11 forward likely will not play any scheduled games while down in Lakeland, but will give him time to fully practice - something that NBA teams rarely do in the heart of the regular season.
• Orlando City SC has acquired $450,000 in 2023 General Allocation Money and $300,000 in 2024 General Allocation Money from Philadelphia Union, it was announced Tuesday. In exchange, City has traded midfielder Andrés Perea.
• It’s been nearly 18 months since the introduction of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) Legislation and many in the college landscape still are learning how to traverse the challenges of allowing athletes moneymaking opportunities. That includes bowl officials and their sponsors, who are trying to figure out how to best utilize NIL to their advantage.
• The Orlando Solar Bears announced their official GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title attempt for the largest gathering of people wearing tie dye when the Solar Bears host the Florida Everblades on Saturday, February 4, 2023, at the AdventHealth Rink at Amway Center. Puck drop is scheduled for 7pm.
• Orlando will play host to the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials — Marathon, USA Track & Field (USATF) announced. Held on February 3, 2024, the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Marathon will be the selection event for the team at the Paris 2024 Olympics, with the top three female and male place finishers in the Trials who have met performance standards qualifying.

In The News.

• Governor DeSantis announced an allotment of $25 million in state funds to create a Hurricane Ian home rebuilding program for residents that do not qualify for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) housing assistance. The funds will be used to purchase building materials and will be given to nonprofits for distribution to ensure storm victims’ houses are in a livable condition while permanent repairs are made. 
• The Walt Disney Company officially launched the 2022 Disney Ultimate Toy Drive in support of the Marine Toys for Tots Program. The company said the holiday initiative continues a 75-year tradition of supporting Toys for Tots, and delivering toys, hope and joy to children in need during the holiday season.
• Universal‘s Great Movie Escape is now scheduled to open its doors to guests on Dec. 9, the resort announced last Thursday. The next-level escape room experiences will transport guests into Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment’s iconic Jurassic World and Back to the Future films at Universal CityWalk. Each adventure boasts eight incredibly detailed environments featuring state-of-the-art activities that are randomized, customizable and designed to adjust based on skill level and complexity.
• The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is working to get results for our nation’s heroes by increasing funding for housing vouchers and provide financial incentives for landlords who help house veterans. Right before Thanksgiving, the Orlando VA Healthcare System announced its “Home for the Holidays” campaign with the goal of finding housing for 100 homeless veterans across Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Volusia and Brevard counties.
• Sights to take in during SeaWorld Christmas Celebration include jump-roping toy soldiers, ice skating, Muppets and more. And starting this weekend, the festivities become an everyday (and into the night) affair.
• It's full steam ahead for construction on Universal Orlando's newest theme park, Epic Universe, according to company executives. During a news conference Monday, corporate officials confirmed the theme park is on track with construction plans for an opening date in the summer of 2025. Construction is already well underway for the new park. Officials say it will be one of Universal's largest parks and packed full of fan favorites.
• A Central Florida couple helped the Salvation Army raise a record amount of money for its Angel Tree program. On Tuesday, News 6 hosted a phone bank that brought in over $337,000, of which $250,000 came from Scott and Carmen Moscrip. The couple is with Light Orlando, which helps the community through acts of service. The organization also holds a free Christmas concert series, scheduled from Dec. 5 thru 10 at the New Horizon Town Center.

Stay Engaged.

• The Orange County Mayor’s Toy Drive is celebrating 12 years of giving back to the community. With families recovering from the impacts of Hurricane Ian, this year’s toy drive is more important than ever. You can help make the holiday season merry and bright for those in need by dropping off a new, unwrapped toy in person by December 12. All donations benefit Orange County youth and family agencies.
• While a winter wonderland is nonexistent in Florida, a holiday-themed festival is set to bring a food wonderland to Orlando this weekend. The monthly 407 Food Fair at Ivanhoe Brewery is celebrating the season with a “Deck the Halls” theme on Saturday from 12-6 p.m. In addition to food trucks galore, there will be a merry marketplace next door at The Hall on the Yard, including live music and an opportunity for children to meet Santa Claus.
• Holiday magic awaits the whole family at Central Florida’s favorite holiday festival, Oh, What Fun! Lake Nona. Watch as Lake Nona Town Center transforms into a winter wonderland, known as Peppermint Square, with a calendar full of celebrations and events.
• The nightly snowfall – an annual tradition in Celebration – returns for the 24th year, the community announced. This year’s Now Snowing event, which the community calls Central Florida’s “premier snowing event,” runs through Dec. 31. It also features synthetic ice rinks, community performances and special concert events throughout the season.
• Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is adding a new projection mapping show called “Starflake’s Holiday Voyage” to its holiday celebration. The six-minute production will be shown on the exterior of Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex, which opened at the Brevard County attraction this year. “Starflake’s Holiday Voyage” works its way through the stars, but it includes recognizable features such as NASA’s Vehicle Assembly Building, International Space Station, the Artemis Moon rocket and more starting Dec. 16.
• Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act in Orange County and led by the Edyth Bush Institute for Philanthropy & Nonprofit Leadership, Empowering Good equips local nonprofits with the tools necessary to succeed in the post-pandemic environment. The program assists small grassroots and diverse-led Orange County non-profit organizations in focusing on impact measurement, innovation, financial management, fundraising and risk management. Applications are currently open until January 13, 2023.
• Be amazed and give back this holiday season at Night of a Million Nights, joyous holiday celebration benefiting Give Kids the World Village. Night of a Million Lights was named the "Number One Thing to Do in December in Orlando" by USA Today when it debuted at the charitable resort in 2020, and now, it’s bringing the joy to Margaritaville Resort Orlando through Jan. 1, 2023. See why you’ll want to make this year’s edition part of your holiday season plans.
• Sleigh bells are ringing and Jolly old St. Nicholas is making his way to ICON Park! From now through Dec. 24th, ICON Park will be transformed into a winter wonderland completed with all of your favorite festivities through the Santa Workshop Experience.
• Season’s streamings: Your ultimate guide to this year’s streaming holiday movies from the Orlando Sentinel.
• Universal Orlando Resort is offering a deal to Florida residents this holiday season. Florida residents who purchase a Park-to-Park ticket will get an extra day at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure for free! The deal is only available online through Dec. 14, 2022.
• Florida residents can save big while visiting Walt Disney World Resort theme parks. Click here to view the current list of special offers.

GO Sports hosted its most recent board meeting at AdventHealth's new Innovation Tower. Board members and corporate partners who attended the post-meeting reception enjoyed the view of downtown Orlando from the balcony.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel, Executive VP Jennifer Lastik, and Senior Director Kyle Sturley attended Mayor Buddy Dyer's annual State of Downtown address this week, hosted by the Downtown Orlando Partnership.

GO Sports CFO Gary Cohen and his wife Jill joined the festivities at BoiBrazil Churrascarria for the annual ‘Jingle and Mingle’ that brought together many chambers of commerce and other organizations from Greater Orlando.

GO Sports Executive VP Jennifer Lastik, Senior Directors Kyle Sturley and Lindsey McBride, and Coordinator Elizabeth Caldarelli attended WISE Greater Orlando's holiday, hosted at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel attended CFHLA's downtown hoteliers holiday party. Attendees included GO Sports Board Members Allen Johnson (Orlando Venues), Justin Williams (Grand Bohemian Hotel Orlando) and Jesse Martinez (The Alfond Inn), as well as CFHLA President & CEO, Robert Agrusa.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel presented to the West Orange Chamber of Commerce, who hosted their meeting at Exploria Stadium. Siegel is pictured here with Jarrod Dillon (Orlando City SC, Orlando Pride & Exploria Stadium) and all of the meeting attendees.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel, and Executive Board Member Caesar Lopez (Orlando City SC, Orlando Pride & Exploria Stadium) sat together at Mayor Buddy Dyer's annual State of Downtown address.

GO Sports Executive VP Jennifer Lastik and Senior Director Kyle Sturley attended an Orlando Magic game as part of a recent NCAA Site Visit for Orlando's 2023 March Madness games, pictured here with GO Sports Board Member Latria Graham (GLB Media) and CFHLA President & CEO, Robert Agrusa.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel and wife Sarah Grafton attended the USA Track & Fields Night of Legends Award Ceremony alongside Jon and Betsy Hughes (Track Shack).

The LifeBoatProject held its second annual gala at The Alfond Inn with proceeds to provide housing and services for survivors of human trafficking. Founder and CEO Jill Cohen is the wife of GO Sports CFO, Gary Cohen.

New Corporate Partner.



BRIGHTLINE TRAINS

For more information, visit

https://www.gobrightline.com/

https://www.gobrightline.com/orlando

Thank you for supporting sports tourism in Greater Orlando!

Fun & Games.



• Orlando Holiday Events: Surfing Santas, Festivals, Boat Parades, and More!
• Enjoy Delightful Christmas Dining in Orlando
• Pictures: Christmas Nights in Lights drive-through attraction opens in Orlando
• Central Florida Theme Park Holiday Events Guide