"It's exciting, it's about moving forward and being the best we can be and the best host we can be."

- Mark Tester,

Executive Director of the Convention Center

Around The Horn.

• The Orange County Convention Center and the University of Central Florida on Oct. 3 scored major wins for their futures. The two entities were among the first projects to land approval for Orange County tourist development tax funding to kickstart projects envisioned to bring billions of dollars in local economic impact.
• With the start of the NBA season just weeks away, Orlando Magic basketball is nearly back. Before the franchise’s 35th season tips off, however, the team will go through training camp, which opens Tuesday at the AdventHealth Training Center.
• Duncan McGuire scored in the 44th minute and Pedro Gallese earned his 10th clean sheet of the season as Orlando City held off Nashville 1-0 on Wednesday night. Orlando (16-7-9, 57 points) has collected 28 points on the road, bolstered by an MLS-leading eight victories. The Lions have outscored opponents 22-20 in 15 away matches — the only team in MLS with a positive goal differential on the road.
• UCF quarterback John Rhys Plumlee is expected to return to practice this week after missing three weeks while recovering from a Sept. 9 knee injury at Boise State. With the return of the fifth-year starter, the Knights could decide who will start at Kansas this Saturday: Plumlee or backup Timmy McClain, who started the past three games.
• The FBCF Race 2Cure and Tribute Walk presented by FFVA Mutual and FBCF this Saturday, October 7, will raise funds for cancer research. This event is organized by the Orlando Sports Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to bringing teams together to find a cure for cancer. Race 2Cure offers several options for 2023! Participants can run or walk the 5k in-person on race day or run on their own time virtually. The race also offers a Tribute Walk presented by the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation to honor those who have passed and currently fighting cancer.
• The Orlando Predators will be back at the Amway Center this season as they return to the Arena Football League. The Predators previously competed in the league from 1991 to 2016, where they captured two league titles in 1998 and 2000. The Predators spent the past five years competing in the National Arena League.
• The Magic exercised their third-year team option on forward Paolo Banchero, as well as their fourth-year team options on guard Jalen Suggs and forward Franz Wagner for the 2024-25 season. This means all three players are now signed through next season and their salaries based on their rookie-scale contracts are guaranteed.
• The NCAA is shrinking its transfer portal windows. The NCAA’s Division I Council approved changes to reduce the transfer windows from 60 days down to a total of 45 days in all sports. The transfer windows mark the time during the year when athletes can put their name into the transfer portal in order to be contacted by other schools.

In The News.

• Walt Disney World announced new donations of $1.5 million to 19 nonprofit organizations in Florida. The company’s 2023 grants are going to groups that work with homelessness, poverty, environmental protection, education, arts, science, youth issues and other causes.
• The $250M+ reason your business should celebrate the Orange County Convention Center's expansion.
• Orlando was named No. 1 on WalletHub's Best Foodie Cities in America list. Orlando beat out 180 other cities that were graded on things like grocery cost, restaurant diversity, and food trucks per capita.
• Brightline will ramp up the frequency of the passenger train trips it runs between Orlando and South Florida starting next week. The Miami-based intercity rail service announced it will run 30 total train trips per day (or 15 in each direction) between Orlando and Miami as of Oct. 9, up from the initial 12 trips (or six in each direction) it started with when Brightline launched its local service on Sept. 22.
• From the Orlando Business Journal: How Orlando Health grew internships for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Valencia College has partnered with Altamonte Springs-based home repair and maintenance company Mechanical One to offer three new accelerated workforce training programs. This comes at a time when Associated Builders & Contractors projects Florida will need 500,000 new trade workers to keep up with the state's needs.
• The Winter Park Autumn Art Festival brings 180 artists to the Park Avenue area this weekend, showcasing ceramics, digital art, drawing, fine crafts, jewelry, mixed media, painting, photography, sculpture and fiber arts. The festival is presented by the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce, which celebrates its centennial this year.

Stay Engaged.

• Calling all dog lovers! Join in the fun on October 14 from 9am-3pm 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 on Thursday, October 19 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.
• 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.
• The Orlando Science Center is throwing a stellar party for the annular solar eclipse happening on October 14! The eclipse will travel a path between Oregon and Texas, so you’ll see about a 60% eclipse here in Orlando. Attendees will receive a pair of eclipse viewing glasses, enjoy special eclipse-themed programming, and gain exclusive access to all the Science Center’s exhibits.
• 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!
• The Festival of Trees, Nov. 11-19, presented by the Council of 101 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.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel attended the UCF-Baylor game last weekend, joined by UCF President Alexander Cartwright, Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark, Alex Martins (Orlando Magic), Orange County Commissioner Mike Scott, and UCF's Director of Athletics Terry Mohajir.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel attended Mayor Dyer's State of Downtown Address last week, pictured here with Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings and Tadar Mohammed (CareerSource).

GO Sports Senior VP Brent Nelson is attending the TEAMS Conference this week, pictured with USA Volleyball's Chris Vadala.



GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel presented to the Maitland Chamber of Commerce last week, sharing insights into the business of sports tourism within our community.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel attended Mayor Dyer's State of Downtown Address last week, pictured here with Chris McCullion (City of Orlando), Orange County Commissioner Mike Scott, and lobbyist Sharon Smoley.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel took in the NHL Preseason Game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers at the Amway Center this week, pictured with board member Doug Patterson (BSN Sports).

New Corporate Partner.

For more information, visit their page on LinkedIn

Thank you for supporting sports tourism in Greater Orlando!

Fun & Games.



• Disney Springs Halloween Live Entertainment
• 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Standings
• Pictures: 2023 Orlando Magic Media Day