Impact Update for Friday, May 6
"Our annual State of the Industry report shows that the sport tourism industry has an economic impact of $91.8 Billion supporting 635,000 jobs in our member communities across America." 

-Al Kidd, President & CEO
Sports Events & Tourism Association


See Sports ETA story below...
Quote of the Day.

“One man can be a crucial ingredient on a team, but one man cannot make a team.”

- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Around The Horn.


In The News.


  • Pumped up by record-high room rates, Orange County’s tourism industry shattered records in March for tourist-tax revenues. The tax, a 6% levy tacked onto the cost of a hotel room and other short-term lodging, raked in $38.5 million in March, the most ever by $7.3 million, according to Orange County Comptroller Phil Diamond, who tracks the figures and released new numbers Thursday.
  • A presentation Thursday called the “first salvo” by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer shows Brightline, SunRail and Universal working toward building passenger-rail tracks from Orlando’s airport to a station near the Orange County Convention Center and then to south International Drive.
  • Future riders aboard Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, the upcoming roller coaster at Epcot, are in for a head-spinning, hair-raising journey. Walt Disney World’s newest attraction is a breezy but ever-revolving ride with a design that allows each ride vehicle to spin, almost teacups-style, along the ride’s rail, through the ups and downs of an outer-space mission in almost complete darkness.
  • Orlando is demolishing a building to create green space for Lake Eola Park. A former 7-Eleven convenience store at Rosalind Avenue and Central Boulevard, the site where a developer wanted to construct a high-rise, was torn down by a crane.
  • Lincoln Avenue Capital, a mission-driven acquirer and developer of affordable housing, announced this week that it has completed a significant rehabilitation of Valencia Park. The 208-unit affordable property in Orlando, currently serves about 800 residents.
  • Students at Lake Silver Elementary School in Orlando’s College Park neighborhood are getting an important lesson not only about where food comes from, but how different nutrients help fuel their bodies. Pat Bush, a paraprofessional in the physical education department, maintains the 2,000-square-foot garden and teaches gardening to the students.
Stay Engaged.
In The Community.
GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel and Senior VP of Business Development Brent Nelson attended the Sports ETA Summit, with Siegel speaking on a panel
GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel and Executive VP Jennifer Lastik attended Visit Orlando's Travel & Tourism luncheon, pictured here with Roger Dow, President & CEO of the US Travel Association
GO Sports Executive VP Jennifer Lastik and Senior Director Kyle Sturley attended the DOP's Golden Brick Awards, pictured here with Craig Borkon and Kirk Wingerson from Orlando Venues, and Lauren Poppe from Orlando Health
GO Sports Executive VP Jennifer Lastik attended the Orlando City Foundation's PlayiBingo Ladies Luncheon over the weekend
Local Resources.

  • Visit these pages for the most critical local health and government updates:
  • City of Orlando: COVID-19 Homepage | Testing Sites | Vaccine Sites
  • Orange County: COVID-19 Homepage | Testing Sites | Vaccine Sites
  • Osceola County: COVID-19 Homepage | Testing Sites | Vaccine Sites
  • Seminole County: COVID-19 Homepage | Testing Sites | Vaccine Sites
  • Lake County: Homepage
  • City of Orlando:
  • The Downtown Development Board (DDB) and Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) created a webpage to assist with identifying grants and incentives that may be available to downtown businesses.
  • Orlando's City Council approved the Safety Awareness for Everyone (S.A.F.E) Program, creating an incentive for businesses and properties to purchase and install security measures that are intended to help deter crime and provide a safer environment for business owners, employees, and visitors. Entertainment businesses including, but not limited to, bars, nightclubs, and entertainment venues located within the City of Orlando’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) footprint shall be eligible for funding to purchase and install security measures which include identification scanners, security cameras, and metal detection systems. Other properties located within the CRA shall be eligible for funding to purchase and install security cameras only. Applicants are eligible to receive up to $10,000 or 50% of the total cost of eligible products, whichever is less. Click here for more info and to apply now.
  • Orange County:
  • The #IGotMyShot mobile vaccination trailer continues to visit neighborhoods and businesses throughout Orange County. For next week’s schedule, or for more information about the #IGotMyShot campaign, visit ocfl.net/IGotMyShot.
  • Orange County’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program remains open for individuals who are behind on rent or at risk of being evicted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, more than $15.3 million have been approved to keep 2,635 families in their homes. Recently, the City of Orlando announced it has depleted its current federal funds dedicated to its Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Orange County is stepping in to bridge the gap and will temporarily offer assistance to Orlando residents, effective now until further notice. Eligible residents include those living in unincorporated Orange County, Apopka, Bay Lake, Belle Isle, Eatonville, Edgewood, Lake Buena Vista, Maitland, Oakland, Ocoee, Orlando, Windermere, Winter Garden and Winter Park. Residents can visit ocfl.net/RentalAssistance to review program details and to check if their address is eligible.
  • CareerSource Central Florida is helping career seekers and displaced workers apply for the Reemployment Assistance program through the Department of Economic Opportunity.
  • Osceola County:
  • Osceola County is currently accepting applications for emergency utility assistance for households impacted by COVID19. Funding is available for electric, gas, and water utilities only. If you reside in Osceola County and your household is impacted, please click here to complete the application.
  • Lake County:
  • For Lake County residents, United Way of Lake and Sumter Counties is able to assist with CARES/ERA/SHIP Federal funds for rent and utilities. For more information on eligibility and documents needed, or to make an appointment, please visit their Family Stability Services page.
  • Seminole County:
  • If you have been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis and live in Seminole County, The Sharing Center is currently accepting applications for rent/mortgage and utilities assistance. Click here for program criteria and to learn how to apply.
  • Additional Resources:
  • The US Small Business Association has compiled a database of private funding options to help small businesses. Browse the options available nationally, or input a zip code to explore location-specific funding.