"We’ve had an incredibly successful year of competition for Team USA, we are extremely excited to continue this success as we close off the year with the 2023 U.S. Paralympics Swimming National Championships. The Rosen Aquatic & Fitness Center in Orlando is the perfect place for this year’s national championships, and we are looking forward to watching Team USA compete this December."

- Erin Popovich

Director of U.S. Paralympics Swimming

Around The Horn.

• U.S. Paralympics Swimming announced that the 2023 U.S. Paralympics Swimming National Championships will be hosted at the Rosen Aquatic & Fitness Center in Orlando. The competition is set to run from Dec. 15-17, 2023 and will be the first time U.S. Paralympics Swimming has hosted an event in Orlando.
• Earlier this week, USA Track & Field announced its new partnership with Orlando Health, further enhancing the medical support provided to USATF athletes in the region. Among other regional elements, Orlando Health will serve as the USATF Medical Partner for the upcoming 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Marathon, along with other USATF Championship events in the state of Florida. 
• UCF coach Gus Malzahn said injured quarterback John Rhys Plumlee is ahead of schedule in his rehab and expects the fifth-year senior to return sometime soon. Plumlee has appeared in 15 games for the Knights, completing 64% of his passes (256 of 400) for 3,139 yards with 17 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He’s also rushed for 1,025 yards with 12 touchdowns.
• The Cure Bowl has found a new home at FBC Mortgage Stadium on the UCF campus. The school’s board of trustees unanimously approved the move in late June, opening the door for the athletics department to reach an agreement with ESPN Events and the Orlando Sports Foundation, which oversees the game. The Cure Bowl is set to be played Dec. 16 at 3:30 p.m. It will air on broadcast television for the first time in its nine-year run, making the move from ESPN2 to ABC.
• The Orlando Solar Bears, “AA” affiliates of the NHL's three-time Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning, are proud to welcome their parent club to the AdventHealth Rink at Amway Center when the Lightning host the Florida Panthers in NHL Preseason action on Tuesday, October 3 at 7:00 p.m.
• UCF unveiled its inaugural Big 12 basketball schedule for its men’s and women’s basketball programs Tuesday. The men travel to open conference play against Kansas State before returning home to host Kansas at Addition Financial Arena. It’s the first of nine home games, including BYU and West Virginia, Baylor and Oklahoma.
• The Orlando Solar Bears announced multiple players have signed Professional Tryout (PTO) Contacts ahead of Training Camp beginning on Friday, October 6, 2023 at the Orlando Ice Den. 

In The News.

• Congratulations to GO Sports President and CEO Jason Siegel who joins several GO Sports board members and many more friends and partners who were named to Orlando Business Journal's 2023 Power Players in Central Florida list. The 2023 Power Players are the winners in a nomination-based awards program highlighting individuals helping grow and innovate the way business is done throughout metro Orlando.
• During his 2023 State of Downtown Address earlier this week, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer highlighted a number of city efforts to reshape downtown through its DTO 2.0 plan. The three main focuses were downtown safety, a downtown for everyone and a downtown that strengthens the region's economy.
• All but one night of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party have sold out as of Tuesday afternoon, according to Walt Disney World’s official website. Folks without tickets who still want to attend the after-hours, extra-ticket Magic Kingdom event can only opt for Nov. 1 for this year.
• Icon Park is planning a Community Day Celebration that will spotlight dozens of Central Florida nonprofit organizations. Booths will be set up on the International Drive entertainment complex grounds from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday. They will distribute educational materials and hold activities to promote volunteerism and community service.
• History was made at dawn Friday when a Miami-bound Brightline train exited its station at Orlando’s airport as an accelerating serpent mottled in sherbert colors, slithering by jets and terminals.
• A new design for Walt Disney World’s specialty state license plate has been rolled out. The revised look features a blue silhouette of a castle on a darker field of blue that’s sprinkled with starry pixie dust that runs behind the numbers.
• Universal Orlando has announced the concert lineup for January’s Rock the Universe event at Universal Studios theme park. The Christian music festival will feature performances on the Music Plaza Stage, the Hollywood Stage and inside the Coca-Cola FanZone on Jan. 26 and 27. Friday night’s headliners include We the Kingdom, Lecrae and Blessing Offor and appearances by Cody Carnes, Elevation Rhythm and Riley Clemmons.

Stay Engaged.

• Visit Orlando’s annual celebration of Central Florida restaurants, Magical Dining is back now through October 1 with the most restaurants yet. The event features three-course prix-fixe meals for either $40 or $60 per person at more than 130 participating restaurants this year. This year sees the addition of 22 new restaurants including eight restaurants that were recently recognized by the Michelin Guide. Local nonprofit The Lifeboat Project was selected as the charitable beneficiary of this year's event.
• Country star Blake Shelton will be performing at Ole Red on Friday, September 29. The Voice star opened his Ole Red Orlando location back in June 2020, featuring some of his favorite selection of Southern-inspired cooking, cold drinks, and live music. The two-story restaurant features a large central stage that can be seen from every seat in the building, including the second-story balcony.
• Calling all dog lovers. Join in the fun on October 14, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for Leu Gardens very first Dog Day. Bring the whole family, including your loveable canine, for a stroll through the 50-acre Gardens. Each dog will receive a special goody bag with their very own Gardens’ bandana, while supplies last.
• Orlando Business Journal is gathering to recognize Central Florida's top CEO, CFO, CIO, CMO and COO's. The 2023 honorees, including GO Sports Executive VP Jennifer Lastik, have shown accomplishments in community involvement, leadership, product innovation, project management, and overall growth. Don't miss the opportunity to see who is leading Central Florida on Thursday, October 19.
• Legoland Florida is introducing a seasonal pass that allows unlimited admission to the Winter Haven theme park through Christmas Day. The Monster-to-Merry Season Ticket is now on sale for $119 per person. It covers a time period that includes Legoland’s Brick or Treat Halloween festivities, which launch Saturday, and its holiday celebration, which begins Nov. 24, the day after Thanksgiving.
• The Orange County Regional History Center will present a special series inspired by legendary Jazz icon, Sam Rivers, on Saturday, October 7, 2023, Sam Rivers 100, is being billed as a celebration of the 100th birthday of the jazz icon who spent the latter part of his life and career in Central Florida.
• Country Thunder is coming back on October 20-22, 2023! Keith Urban, Hardy and Cody Johnson headline three days of non-stop music and fun! Check out the full lineup here!
• Festival of Trees, Nov. 11-19, presented by the Council of 101, the annual fundraiser kicks off the holiday season with dozens of designer-inspired decorated trees at Orlando Museum of Art. This year’s theme is “Enchanted Holidays,” with special events including breakfast with Santa, an ugly sweater day and a Reindeer Romp party.
• In partnership with AdventHealth, the City District Main Street is launching Orlando’s first adult Downtown Orlando Field Day on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023. This classic event will feature old school competitions with an intentional local flair. The City District Main Street, alongside title sponsor AdventHealth, Red Lobster, City Beverage, Orlando Utilities Commission and community partners including, the Downtown Development Board.
• SeaWorld Orlando is again offering an extended Fun Card deal. Buyers now get unlimited visits to the theme park for the rest of 2023 and all of 2024. The price is $131.99. A version also includes admission to the Aquatica water park through the end of 2024, and it sells for $189.99.
• 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.

The end of the fiscal year is here… thank you to our partners at ICON Park - Christopher Jaskiewicz and Gregory Fornadel - for hosting our final Greater Orlando Sports Commission Board of Directors meeting at Brother Jimmy's BBQ!

We are proud to share that Seminole County Government and the Board of County Commissioners have elected unanimously to extend their agreement with the Greater Orlando Sports Commission for 5 years. On behalf of our Board Chair Sharon Line Clary and our 101 Board Members we want to thank County Commissioners Amy Lockhart, Bob Dallari, Lee Constantine, Jay Zembower and Andria Herr - and staff - Darren Gray, Tricia Johnson, Danny Trosset and Guilherme Cunha - for trusting our organization to continue to drive economic impact and market the county for the residents of Seminole County. A big thanks to our Seminole County board representatives for their unwavering support - Frank Ioppolo, Kurt Esser and John Gyllin!

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel attended Mayor Dyer's State of Downtown Address this week, pictured here with Michael Cantrell (Coca-Cola Florida), Terry Mohajir (UCF Athletics), and Alan Gooch (Cure Bowl).

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel attended Tiger Bay of Central Florida's September Luncheon, where board member Chris Carmody was a panelist. They are pictured with board member Jon McGavin (Ritz Carlton Grande Lakes) and Robert Stuart, Jr. (GrayRobinson).

GO Sports Executive VP Jennifer Lastik and Senior Director Kyle Sturley attended Mayor Dyer's State of Downtown Address this week, pictured here with community leaders Beth Hobart and Kim Devitt.

GO Sports Executive VP Jennifer Lastik attended the opening day of service for Brightline, pictured here with Bridget Keefe (UCF), Lauren Poppe (Orlando Health) and board member Jackie Hayter (Orlando Health).

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel took part in the Orlando Economic Partnership's 2023 Executive Leadership Mission trip to Minneapolis, pictured here with Elizabeth Watkins (Disney), Lisa Curran (Duke Energy), Stan Rubins (Visit Orlando), and Jeff Hayward (Heart of Florida United Way).

GO Sports Executive VP Jennifer Lastik attended the 2023 Montverde Academy Legacy Ball, pictured with board member Jeff Osterman from Montverde.

New Corporate Partner.

For more information, visit

https://www.cesmechanical.com

Thank you for supporting sports tourism in Greater Orlando!

Fun & Games.



• Pictures: Brightline trains make first Orlando-Miami passenger trips
• Save the date: Seasonal event staples return to Orlando
• 10 People Who Make Orlando a Better Place to Live (2023)