“Joanie is the undisputed queen of distance running, both in the United States and the world. Her incredible record setting career began in the 1980's and continues to this day as a mater's athlete. Ahead of Orlando hosting the U.S. Olympic Team Marathon Trials in February 2024, we couldn’t be more excited to welcome Joanie to our community and hear from her at this event.”

- Jon Hughes

Co-Owner of Track Shack/EMMI

Around The Horn.

• The Greater Orlando Sports Commission is proud to announce that the 2023 Celebrating Women in Sports luncheon presented by Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute will be hosted at Addition Financial Arena on Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at Noon. In addition to Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute returning as the presenting sponsor, Florida Blue is returning as the sponsor of the fireside chat with featured speaker, Joan Benoit Samuelson. 
• The road to the 2023 NCAA Division II national championship began for Rollins baseball almost exactly a year ago. No. 4-seeded Rollins returns to Cary, N.C., for another shot at winning the whole thing. They will compete against No. 5 Cal State San Bernardino this weekend in the NCAA Round of Eight.
• The 2023 NBA draft is slowly approaching, meaning the Orlando Magic will soon be put on the clock to make their picks. Since the draft isn’t until June 22, Orlando still has time to interview prospects, host workouts and use those meetings to gather intel and finalize its draft board.
• Florida men’s golf J.C. Deacon was named national coach of the year by Golf Coaches Association of America following the Gators’ historic season. UF captured the NCAA and SEC titles in the same season for the first time since 1993 while Fred Biondi also won the individual title — a first-ever trifecta for the program
• The Lionel Messi sweepstakes appear over. The most coveted free agent in soccer history is set to sign with Major League Soccer's Inter Miami. The decision ends weeks of speculation about the Argentine star's future. Messi announced his move in an interview Wedensday with Mundo Deportivo and Sport. 
• Tampa Catholic offensive lineman Eddy Pierre-Louis was "blown away" during his recent visit to UCF. Pierre-Louis would accommodate a huge asset to the Knights offensive linemen position in the Big 12 Conference. At 6-foot-3, 335 pounds, he moves well for his size. He went viral in March when running the anchor for Tampa Catholic’s 4 x 100 relay team which finished in third at a track meet.
• In the 11 months Brett Yormark has been Big 12 commissioner, the 56-year-old has shared an ambitious vision for the conference, including adding four new members and possibly more. Now that vision has stretched into Mexico, where the league plans to expand its footprint by hosting athletic events starting in 2024.
• Orlando City earned its fourth road win, defeating the New York Red Bulls 3-0. This is the Lions’ second win against the Red Bulls, besting them 1-0 in the regular-season opener, to elevate them to eighth place in the East.
• With the summer transfer window scheduled to open on June 14 in the Premier League, we're set for major deals and speculation around the biggest stars in the soccer world.

In The News.

• Orlando and Kissimmee both made the list of North America's top meeting and convention destinations, according to the annual ranking by Cvent, a Virginia-based meetings, events and hospitality technology provider. This is the first time North America's Top 50 Meeting Destinations list was released since the pandemic after Covid-19 shut down the hospitality industry for months in 2020. 
• Though much of the attention related to the signing of a $1.3 billion package of tax breaks by Gov. Ron DeSantis has been directed toward the impacts it will have on residents and shoppers, the legislation also includes a tax break that a number of local commercial real estate professionals are excited about.
• The new DTO Take Action Against Graffiti program, or “TAAG,” is being presented as part of a new multi-pronged approach to combatting graffiti in the downtown core, including a stronger prevention program, encouraging more reporting of occurrences, and the quick removal of graffiti once it is found.
• An Orlando Business Journal poll reveals a few destinations where Floridians wish Brightline would expand. Currently, the Miami-based intercity rail service is wrapping up construction on its 170-mile Orlando expansion, which it is targeting service for this summer.
• Orlando’s Christner’s Prime Steak & Lobster is hitting the milestone for 30 years in business and is celebrating in a way that aligns with its long-standing operating philosophy: one that gives back. On June 9, the legendary steakhouse on Orlando’s Lee Road will host a 30th Anniversary Celebration Dinner, and 100 percent of the proceeds (excluding alcohol sales) will be split between two local nonprofits, Aspire Health Partners and The Howard Phillips Center for Children & Families.
• After three days of roughing it in Lake Eola Park, the infamous bear has been safely boxed up and transported away to live a life in the wilderness. A young black bear that Mayor Buddy Dyer named “Boo-Boo” showed up in Lake Eola early Sunday morning and managed to avoid traps set out by FWC for the next two days. It would climb up a tree each morning after going out and looking for food in the wee hours of the morning.
• SeaWorld Orlando has rolled out a stage show called “Surf Holiday,” which has some ties to the theme park’s new Pipeline roller coaster and contains conservation messages. The production is part of the park’s Summer Spectacular programming, which includes the “Ignite” fireworks show.
• The $50 million-plus revamp of Winter Park Village continues to bear fruit, with owner announcing three new high-profile tenants for the 32-acre, mixed-use lifestyle center this week.

Stay Engaged.

• Orange County Library System has unveiled its full slate of programs, classes, and events for its annual summer program, Summer at Your Library. The theme for this year’s event- All Together Now: Kindness, Friendship and Unity – seems fitting given the astounding number of offerings for all age groups, available both in-person and online.
• City District Main Street, the official Main Street entity in downtown Orlando, has just launched its first-ever Traffic Box Art Program in partnership with the Downtown Arts District and the Downtown Development Board. Artists have until June 5 to apply to make their mark on a 13 select traffic signal boxes that are located in the public right-of-way.
• United Arts of Central Florida is seeking proposals for five temporary public art projects in celebration of 25 Years of Orlando Arts Magazine. According to the call for artists page, the project will “… showcase unique installations to illustrate the artistic talent in Central Florida and highlight the magazine’s 150 issues. The proposed project must use aspects from Orlando Arts Magazine‘s prior 149 covers.”
• The Orlando Museum of Art will host a free event on Monday, June 12, at 5 p.m., during which it will unveil a special mobile Pulse-inspired mural that was once on display on the side of Burton’s Bar in Thornton Park. 
• Wes Anderson’s latest movie, Asteroid City, is set to be released on June 16. In celebration of that release date, Enzian Theater will be hosting a special “Wes Anderson Week” at their Maitland cinema.
• Saturday, June 17, 2023 at Luminary Green Park is the perfect day to celebrate Juneteenth by buying black, circulating the black dollar + having a great time doing it! Enjoy Vendors, DJs, Guest Hosts, Kids Zone, Food Trucks, at BLK YRD Block Party Downtown Orlando.
• Ivanhoe Park Brewing Co. is back with its innovative Camp Ivanhoe series of events and challenges from June 26-July 2, during which, participants can relive the joys of summer camp while also enjoying craft beers and a little friendly competition.
• Florida Residents can save up to $65 on select multi-day tickets at Universal Orlando theme parks when buying online. Click here for current offers.
• Florida residents can save big while visiting Walt Disney World Resort theme parks. Click here to view the current list of special offers.

In The Community.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel attended Mayor Buddy Dyer's Official 2023 Campaign Kickoff Party with wife Sarah Grafton, pictured here with Jarrod Dillon from Orlando City SC/Orlando Pride.

GO Sports Senior VP Michael Kalinich and Board Member Tammy Gustafson (Universal Orlando Resort) caught up at this week's GO Sports quarterly Board Meeting.

GO Sports held its quarterly Board Meeting this week at TopGolf in Lake Mary, led by President & CEO Jason Siegel, Chairman Sharon Line Clary (AdventHealth), Chair-Elect Caesar Lopez (Orlando City SC/Orlando Pride), and Legal Counsel Chris Carmody (GrayRobinson, P.A.).

GO Sports Board Members and Corporate Partners gathered at this week's quarterly Board Meeting.

GO Sports Executive VP Jennifer Last attended the Pace Center for Girls Breakfast this morning with Elizabeth Watkins from Walt Disney World and Kathy DeVault from the City of Orlando.

GO Sports President &CEO Jason Siegel welcomed executive and advisory board members at this week's quarterly board meeting.

New Corporate Partner.

For more information, visit

www.mearstransportation.com

Thank you for supporting sports tourism in Greater Orlando!

Fun & Games.



• 10 Fun Facts about Orlando
• UCF vs South Carolina Softball Highlights
• Pictures: Black Bear at Lake Eola