Around The Horn.

• Congratulations to our community partners at the City of Orlando, Orange County, Lake County, Seminole County, and Osceola County, and our event partners at AAU, ECNL, Special Olympics, and IWWF for winning Sports Destination Management's 2022 Economic Impact Awards! Read more about all of the 2022 winners here.
• The International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation has announced that the IWWF World Waterski Championships will be held again in Lake County, Florida in 2023. The biennial event, that was last held in 2021 in Lake County, will feature an expected field of more than 200 water skiers representing 35 countries and will be hosted at the Jack Travers Water Ski School on October 8-15, 2023.
• PureCycle Technologies, Inc. and the Orlando Magic are teaming up to divert thousands of pieces of plastic waste from being landfilled or flowing into Central Florida waterways. The Orlando Magic are the first NBA team to implement PureCycle's PureZero™ waste program. PureZero is a first-of-its-kind plastic waste recycling program geared toward stadiums and entertainment venues. 
• The XFL on Monday officially announced the name and logo for Orlando’s XFL team — the Guardians. The move was part of a larger announcement for all eight of the league’s football teams. The league is scheduled to begin play February 18, 2023. The Guardians will play at Camping World Stadium.
• Orlando Sentinel Analysis: Questions for the Orlando Magic after 8 games, ahead of a 7-game homestand.
• Two worlds of Guardians connected at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista on Tuesday, November 1. The XFL’s Orlando Guardians experienced Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind as head coach Terrell Buckley and assistant coaches Lamar Thomas and Tony Carter visited the Wonders of Xandar Pavilion at EPCOT.
• Competitive cheerleading is not for the weak. Top Gun Revs cheerleader Jordan Humes knows that firsthand. Humes was fighting Crohn’s disease, a rare disease that affects the lining of the digestive tract. But he wasn’t ready to give up his passion. So instead, he readjusted his lifestyle.
• UFC returns to Orlando for the first time in over four years on Saturday, Dec. 3 at the Amway Center with an intriguing welterweight tilt that will see No. 7 ranked contender Stephen Thompson battle Kevin Holland. Heavyweight KO artists collide in the co-main event when No. 4 ranked contender Tai Tuivasa meets No. 5 Sergei Pavlovich.

In The News.

• Country music superstar Thomas Rhett will visit 40 cities in 27 states next summer, stopping in Orlando to grace the stage at Amway Center.
• Walt Disney World has officially welcomed back its nighttime spectacular “Fantasmic!” to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It’s one of the longest-running shows at Walt Disney World Resort, and its return is something Disney fans and cast members have been waiting to see. The show has been absent ever since the theme parks were forced to close due to coronavirus lockdowns back in 2020.
• Advancing a commitment to prepare highly qualified talent for Central Florida's fast-growing tech industry, the University of Central Florida has partnered with tech accelerator SkillStorm to expand access to courses that lead to credentials from major employers including Salesforce, CompTIA and Pega. UCF Continuing Education will deliver the instructor-led courses as part of the new training initiative, starting November 1.
• Truist Foundation and Truist Charitable Fund announced a $2 million grant to Black Business Investment Fund Inc. (BBIF), a community development financial institution (CDFI) built to foster the creation and expansion of Black businesses by providing loans, education and training services. The grant will help create BBIF's Revolving Loan Fund that will provide loan capital for small business lending, targeting BIPOC and underserved small businesses across Central Florida.
• The Duke Energy Foundation and Duke Energy Florida have awarded more than $545,000 in strategic economic development grants to 26 organizations in Florida. The funding is provided by the Duke Energy Foundation, with help from Duke Energy Florida’s Economic Development group, which supports organizations that increase awareness of a community or region’s economic development strategies and product availability.
• 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.
• A nonprofit that caters to people with developmental disabilities has plans for a training campus on 14.89 acres in unincorporated Orange County. Winter Garden-based Special Hearts Farm wants to build four new facilities to create a campus. The nonprofit serves individuals with intellectual disabilities by providing adult day training, supported employment and possible entrepreneur business opportunities related to farming and gardening experiences.
• The UCF Center for Community Schools awarded seven schools up to $80,000 each as part of the Community School Grant Program, which was established by the Florida Legislature. The model is designed to support students and their families through expanded access to health and wellness support, along with a wide range of new and integrated learning opportunities.

Stay Engaged.

• The 2022 State of Osceola County, presented by the Osceola County Board of Commissioners will be hosted at Osceola Heritage Park on Wednesday, December 7. The luncheon will feature a keynote address by Chairman Brandon Arrington, providing an update on the State of the County, looking back at the past year and ahead to what's in the future for our community.
• Central Florida's longest-running tradition returns for the 51st Annual Fall Fiesta in the Park on Saturday, November 5 from 11am until 5pm. Admission is free for the entire family! You can enjoy over 300 artists, crafters, and food vendors around beautiful Lake Eola!
• SeaWorld Orlando is about to bring back its fun-filled Sesame Street Kids’ Weekend. On Nov. 5 and 6, families can join Elmo, Cookie Monster, Rosita and other characters for hands-on activities, dance parties, character photo opportunities and even a story time with Big Bird. SeaWorld said children will also get the chance to become everyday heroes and collect special badges for bravery, helping, manners and more throughout the weekend.
• Veterans Day is Friday, Nov. 11, and the businesses and attractions of ICON Park on International Drive are offering discounts for veterans and military members. The U.S. Army will be at ICON Park on Friday with military vehicles for pictures and to interact with visitors. All retired military veterans and first responders can receive a free ticket to ride The Wheel, as well 50% off for one guest. Active-duty military members can also receive up to four complimentary tickets to The Wheel.
• ‘Tis the season! The Orange County Mayor’s Toy Drive kicks off on Monday, November 14, 2022. A single toy donation can help make the holiday season joyous and bright for families in need throughout our community. Residents and businesses are encouraged to drop off new, unwrapped toys or gifts for children ages 18 and under or donate online through Orange County’s virtual toy shop. All toys collected are distributed to Orange County youth and family agencies.
• Walt Disney World is gearing up for the holiday season with the start of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Beginning Nov. 8, Magic Kingdom guests will get to see beloved characters, attraction holiday overlays, Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade and the nighttime fireworks spectacular Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show.
• Insomniac, the producer behind North America’s largest dance music festival, has announced Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC)'s return to Orlando at the city’s historic Tinker Field from Friday, Nov. 11 through Sunday, Nov. 13.
• 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 President & CEO Jason Siegel and GO Sports Board Member/Deputy Chief Venues Officer Craig Borkon from Orlando Venues attended a meet and greet to introduce Orlando's new XFL team, the Orlando Guardians, to the community. They are pictured here with Guardians head coach Terrell Buckley.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel and wife Sarah Grafton attended Monster Jam at Camping World Stadium over the weekend, pictured here with GO Sports Boards Member Scott Breault (Planet Fitness) and Craig Borkon (Orlando Venues).

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel and wife Sarah Grafton attended Monster Jam at Camping World Stadium over the weekend, pictured here with GO Sports Boards Member Justin Kinsey.

GO Sports Executive Vice President Jennifer Lastik joined community partners Kay Rawlins-Orlando City/Orlando Pride, Adrianna Sekula-Pure Cycle, Jo Newell-OEP, and Shelley Lauten to visit the Peace of Mind Exhibit at the Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel and Senior VP Brent Nelson attended the recent Seminole County CFHLA Luncheon, along with partners Danny Trosset from Play Orlando North and Robert Agrusa, President of the CFHLA.

The entire GO Sports team gathered for lunch to celebrate the upcoming retirement of Eileen Babich, longtime bookkeeper of the sports commission. Congratulations, Eileen! You will be very missed.

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