"Congratulations to this year’s class of winners. We’re excited to host this event every year and continue to shine a spotlight on the extraordinary women in our sports community, thank you to Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute for their ongoing support as our presenting sponsor."

-Jason Siegel, President & CEO

Greater Orlando Sports Commission

Around The Horn.

• Join the Greater Orlando Sports Commission on Wednesday, Sept. 13 for the 5th. annual Celebrating Women in Sports Luncheon presented by Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute. Five local women will be honored for the contributions to Greater Orlando's sports community, and guests will hear from featured speaker Joan Benoit Samuelson, winner of the first Olympic Women's Marathon. A limited number of individual tickets and table sponsorships are still available.
• UCF occupies the No. 4 spot in the first Big 12 power rankings of the season. The Knights opened with a 56-6 win over Kent State last Thursday, with Quarterback John Rhys Plumlee scoring 4 total touchdowns and defensive ends Josh Celiscar and Tre’mon Morris-Brash combining for 3 tackles for loss.
• Just two days removed from allowing Lithuania to score 110 points in a second-round upset during the FIBA World Cup, the U.S. trampled Italy 100-63 to advance to the semifinals. Orlando Magic player Paolo Banchero played an impactful role defensively for the Americans, finishing with 8 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and the third-quarter block.
• Florida State scored 31 consecutive points in the second half to overwhelm No. 5 LSU 45-24 Sunday night in the Camping World Kickoff Classic at Camping World Stadium. The eighth-ranked Seminoles trailed the Tigers 17-14 at the half before scoring on five straight possessions after halftime to cruise to an impressive win.
• The Orlando Solar Bears, ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning, have announced the signings of defensemen Ben Carroll and Louka Henault to ECHL Standard Player Contracts for the 2023-24 season. 
• Red Bull is bringing some of the world’s top wakeboarders to Ivanhoe Village’s Lake Ivanhoe on Saturday, September 16 as part of its Red Bull Double or Nothing event. The event was created by wakeboarding pro Parks Bonifay and features some of the top talent in the world trying to attempt never-done-before tricks, trying to win the $10,000 prize package.
• The Greater Orlando Sports Commission is proud to sponsor the Orlando Touchdown Club's next Social Dinner this Monday, September 11. Register now to join us and hear from UCF standouts John Rhys Plumlee and Alec Holler!

In The News.

• Orlando Business Journal is honoring 23 individuals as the 2023 C-Suite Awards winners. This year's honorees are being recognized as the region's top leaders and outstanding performers in their areas of expertise, as well as for their contributions and commitment to their professions and the local community. Congratulations to GO Sports' board members, friends and partners who were recognized: Pedro Araujo (Orlando City SC & Orlando Pride), Lysa Barbano (VyStar Credit Union), Nick Falcone (Rentyl Resorts), Garry Jones (Full Sail University), Robb Larson (Osceola Heritage Park), and Kevin Thibault (GOAA).
• Orlando International Airport is making the amenities within its new south terminal available to non-traveling guests so more locals can visit it. The Experience MCO Visitor Pass is a pilot program underway that will allow 50 daily visitors to spend time in the shops, restaurants and more at the new terminal after applying, being approved and passing through the standard TSA checkpoint areas. The application process does not cost anything, but guests must pay for their own parking at the airport or at an off-site parking lot.
• A Central Florida coalition led by Kissimmee-based Bridg is in the running for a major National Science Foundation grant. The Osceola County group on Aug. 4 was named one of 16 semifinalists — narrowed from 34 semifinalists — vying for up to $160 million over a 10-year period as part of the U.S. NSF Regional Innovation Engines competition.
• SpaceX is ready to make its second attempt to send its massive Starship and Super Heavy into orbit after the first go-around ended in Elon Musk’s company ordering it to self-destruct. The company stacked the new Starship atop the Super Heavy booster on Tuesday at its Boca Chica, Texas, launch facility called Starbase.
• Food isn’t just for filling bellies at Orlando’s theme parks these days. The attractions are expanding menus, restaurant options and eating-oriented activities that draw repeat customers and double as advertisements. Disney, Universal and SeaWorld are using character breakfasts, themed eat-and-greets, holiday gatherings and a feast of festivals to feed and entertain visitors, especially annual passholders eager to come back for seconds or more.
• An Orlando-based commercial real estate executive and developer is betting big on Sanford’s historic downtown district as “the next Winter Garden” with a wave of redevelopment projects.

Stay Engaged.

• Orange County Government will close the application portal for small business, home-based business, and gig worker BOOST grants available through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding on Friday, September 15, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. Since July, the Orange County Small Business BOOST program has processed some 2,500 applications, with many more in the queue.
• 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.
• 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.
• The Orlando Urban Film Festival will take place on August 31 through Sept. 2 at the CMX Cinemas Plaza Cafe in downtown Orlando. The festival, which is in its 10th year, focuses on urban music and films and features a number of film premieres, screenings, parties, and networking opportunities.
• Volunteer to keep the Heart of Orlando Clean and Green! On Sunday, September 10, join City District Main Street and their community partners as they work together to pick up litter and remove graffiti in downtown Orlando. Volunteers will receive FREE tickets to an Orlando Magic preseason game!
• The Creative City Project  is bringing two new immersive installations to Leu Gardens fall, from the end of September. The group responsible for the past few years of “Dazzling Nights” at the city-run botanical garden will be hosting “Happy Frights” and “Haunting Nights” from September 29-October 31 this year featuring fall-inspired encounters and scares.
• 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! Other artists include: Parker McCollum, Kip Moore, Lonestar, Parmalee, Jo Dee Messina, Megan Moroney, Tracy Byrd, Shane Profitt, Kip Moore, Hailey Whitters, Josh Ross, & The Reklaws. Check out the full lineup here!
• Feast on the 50 presented by SouthState Bank, returns to Camping World Stadium on Thursday, Oct. 26 at 5 p.m., a new, earlier start time! The one-of-a-kind tailgate on the field features a night full of food, family and fun.
• 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 UCF football's home opener last week, pictured here with Garry Capton (Fairwinds Credit Union) and GO Sports board members John Mahoney (Kavaliro) and Mike Harris (Uproar PR).

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel and wife Sarah Grafton attended the Camping World Kickoff Game last weekend between FSU and LSU, pictured here with GO Sports Board Chairman Sharon Line Clary (AdventHealth) and husband Michael.

GO Sports board member Alan Gooch (Orlando Sports Foundation) hosted the Cure Bowl's kickoff event for the 2023 season.

Congratulations to GO Sports board member Steve Hogan (Florida Citrus Sports) who is starting his term as chair of the Orlando Economic Partnership board of directors.

New Corporate Partner.

For more information, visit

www.mearstransportation.com

Thank you for supporting sports tourism in Greater Orlando!

Fun & Games.



• Pictures: UCF win over Kent State
• 2023’s Best Halloween Merch Essentials at Disney Parks