The Orlando Solar Bears have advanced to the South Division Finals of the Kelly Cup Playoffs after defeating the Greenville Swamp Rabbits 4-2 in a seven-game series. The Solar Bears, ECHL affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning, now face the reigning Kelly Cup Champion Florida Everblades in a series that will begin tomorrow, May 3. The first home game for the Solar Bears will be on May 7 at 7:00pm, and their second home game is scheduled for May 9 at 7:00pm, both at the Kia Center. If necessary, the Solar Bears will host Game 5 at the Kia Center on May 12 at 3:00pm.

Around The Horn.

• The Orlando Solar Bears have advanced to the South Division Finals in the ECHL playoffs and will host the Florida Everblades on May 7 and May 9 at 7:00pm in the Kia Center. If necessary, the Solar Bears will host a third game on May 12 at 3:00pm.
• The Orlando Magic host Game 6 of their playoff series with the Cleveland Cavaliers tomorrow, May 3 at 7:00pm in the Kia Center. The Magic are currently down 3-2 in the series, and must win the two remaining games to advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals. Forward's Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner have led the team in scoring so far, but it will take a collective team effort to push through to the next round.
• Orlando City SC's four-game unbeaten streak has sadly come to an end after losing to Toronto FC last week with a score of 2-1. The Lions (2-4-3) have had an up-and-down season thus far, starting slow in the beginning before going on their impressive four-game streak of no losses. Orlando City will look to bounce back this weekend on Saturday, May 4 as they host FC Cincinnati at 7:30pm in Inter&Co Stadium.
• The Orlando Valkyries make their triumphant return home as they prepare to host the last two matchups of the 2024 inaugural season. The first game is scheduled for Thursday, May 9 at 7:00pm against the San Diego Mojo and has a College Alumni Night theme. Fans can enjoy BOGO tickets, great deals on popcorn and hot dogs, and select deals on NUTRL seltzer drinks.
• The Orlando Pride continued their dominant play in the NWSL as they cruised past the North Carolina Courage 4-1 last night. The Pride (4-0-3) remain undefeated and continue to be a force throughout the league, racking up 15 points through seven games. They will look to keep this streak alive as they host Racing Louisville on Sunday, May 5 at 6:00pm in Inter&Co Stadium.
• Join the Orlando Squeeze pickleball team next week on Tuesday, May 7 for its exclusive Pro-Showcase event at USTA National Campus. Admission is free, and guests can enjoy prizes, Squeeze merch, and watch a 2v2 pro-exhibition match. The event starts at 6:00pm and you can RSVP for the showcase here.
• UCF Football has added a nonconference home-and-home series to its future schedule with Northwestern and Pittsburgh. The Knights will travel to Pittsburgh in the 2026 season, and Pitt will travel to Orlando and play during the 2029 season. Similarly, UCF will make its first-ever trip to Northwestern to play in the 2028 season, and Northwestern will travel to FBC Mortgage Stadium in 2031.

The Greater Orlando Sports Commission is proud to partner with Rollins College to host the 2024 NCAA Division II National Championships Festival. The festival will be held from May 19-25, and we are recruiting volunteers to assist with all aspects of the championship festival. Individuals or groups interested in volunteering can visit https://forms.gle/V3HW58aiwUf3HiDX9 to sign up and for more information. Volunteers are required to be 18 years or older. 

In The News.

• Full Sail University was named to the "Top Design Schools 2024" by Graphic Design USA, who releases a new list annually. The list presents institutions and programs "preparing the next generation of creatives for a dream career in the real world." Full Sail's graduate and undergraduate programs for Graphic Design, Media Design, and Digital Arts & Design were named in the publication alongside other universities and programs from across the country.
• The $500 million mixed-use development located in Downtown Orlando has been given a new name, Westcourt. Previously referred to as the Orlando Sports + Entertainment District, the 900,000-square-foot development will feature a full-service hotel as well as a high-rise residential tower, a live events venue, 300,000-sqaure-feet of office space, and much more. The project is expected to begin construction by end of this year.
• The famed Michelin Guide, known for giving Michelin Stars to top restaurants, has announced they have a new list and distinction: Michelin Key Hotels. Three Orlando hotels have made the list thus far, which is divided into three parts: one key, two keys, and three keys. The Ritz-Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes, Ette Hotel, and Lake Nona Wave Hotel each earned one key.
• Universal Orlando has released more information about its new 'Epic Universe' attraction development set to debut in 2025. The new theme-park provided details about the installation of Super Nintendo World, which will have two distinct territories: Super Mario Land and Donkey Kong Country. Within the two territories will be various attractions and restaurants, including an augmented-reality game called Mario Kart.
• HCA Healthcare's Galen College of Nursing, one of the nation's largest private nursing schools, has announced they will debut an Orlando campus soon. The Kentucky-based college has acquired a building in the Central Florida Research Park near the University of Central Florida campus. HCA Healthcare bought the college back in 2020 to create a pipeline for new nurses to feed into the company's hospital system amid a nationwide shortage.
• AdventHealth Apopka has completed the addition of a new patient floor to the hospital as part of a larger $26.3 million project. The hospital grew its bed count from 120 to 158, which includes 19 regular progressive care beds and 19 cardiovascular progressive care beds, along with four display bays. As a result of the expansion, the hospital reported adding nearly 100 jobs, pushing it close to roughly 1,000 employees.
• A planned apartment complex set to be the largest multifamily project in Sanford has secured $86 million in funding. Tuscany Village, a $120 million, 420-unit garden-style apartment complex, will be built between Interstate-4 and downtown Sanford. The funding for the project is coming from several different sources, including City National Bank, Origin Investments, Abanca USA, and private equity sources.
• The U.S. News & World Report released their ranking of the top public high school's in the country, with three Central Florida schools making the Top 100 list. Westshore High School was ranked 43rd out of 100, with Edgewood High School at 57th and NeoCity Academy at 92nd. According to the organization, over 17,000 public high schools were ranked based on factors such as graduation rate, performance on state assessments, and more.

George Diaz Featured Story

Here's To You, Orlando - May 2, 2024

America's Best Sports Business City for Attracting and Hosting Events

Read the full story here: https://greaterorlandosports.com/featuredstories-hosting/

Stay Engaged.

• The Promenade at Sunset Walk are hosting its 4th annual Cinco de Mayo Street Party and Celebration this Sunday, May 5. Guests can enjoy live music on two stages, performances from two DJ's, street performers, dancing, food and beverage specials. The celebration will begin at 3:00pm and is a rain-or-shine event.
• Cirque du Soleil has added a behind-the-scenes tour for "Drawn to Life," the theatrical production at Disney Springs. The new "Page to Stage Signature Experience" will include exclusive access before and after select shows. Participants will receive a backstage tour, an artist meet-and-greet, premium show seating, a "Drawn to Life" gift bag, souvenir popcorn bucket, and more. The new experience costs $285 for adults and children over nine years old, and tickets are on sale now through December of this year.
• Visit Central Florida's Wizard of Oz Museum to take a stroll down the yellow brick road and see hundreds of movie memorabilia items, rare first-edition books from the original novel series and an immersive experience with animated scenes projected onto the walls. The museum is open daily from 9:00am-5:00pm, tickets are $29.99 for adults and $14.99 for children.
• SeaWorld Orlando's Discovery Cove has opened its new Flamingo Point exhibit for guests to explore and enjoy. The fenced-in, amoeba-shaped area gives visitors more access to the birds and the ability to watch them throughout the day. Flamingo Point is also the home of "Flamingo Mingle," an add-on activity that allows for even closer encounters with the Caribbean flamingos.
• Universal Orlando has announced their plans to launch a new specialty license plate in Florida, pending approval from Florida legislation. The license plate proceeds would benefit popular local non-profit Give Kids The World after they failed to meet the pre-order requirement for their own license plate decal approved back in 2020. Universal has not yet released the design of the license plate, and all designs must be approved by the state.
• The Mount Dora Woman' Club annual fashion show is this Saturday, May 4 at 11:30am at Mount Dora Country Club. Tickets are $35 per person and can be purchased here. All proceeds raised by the fashion show will benefit the Children's Advocacy Center and of Lake County.
• Walt Disney World has announced dates for the 2024 edition of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. The festival will begin on Aug. 29, and will be held daily until its completion on Nov. 23. Disney has indicated the return of a handful of food offerings, but has not shared the full lineup yet or announced the performers for the 'Eat to the Beat' concert series held nightly during the event.
• 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 Executive VP Jennifer Lastik attended the Orlando Pride vs. NC Courage match Wednesday night, pictured with Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and his wife Susie Dyer, Kelly Cohen (The Southern Group), Elizabeth Watkins (Walt Disney World), Katie Flury (Gray Robinson), Courtney James (The Southern Group), Kaley Slattery (The Southern Group), Rachel Kobb (CFPA), Sharon Smoley (CFPA), Melanie Robinson (Coca-Cola Florida), and Maritza Martinez (Orlando Magic).

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel, Associate VP Chase DeMayo, and Director Jordan Lyda attended the 'Good Morning Seminole' event, pictured with Rebekah Arthur (Seminole County Chamber), Alan Byrd (Chamber), Joel George (AdventHealth), Danny Trossett (Seminole County), Gui Cunha (Seminole County), and GO Sports board member Dr. John Gyllin (Seminole State College).

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel attended the Orlando Pride vs. NC Courage game Wednesday night, pictured with Jarrod Dillon (Orlando City, Orlando Pride) and board member Charles Hawkins (Charles J. Hawkins II, P.A.).

The GO Sports leadership team attended Orlando Business Journal's Doing Business in Seminole County event. Pictured above is Commissioner Jay Zembower (Seminole County), Nicole Martz (Sanford Airport), board member Tim Giuliani (Orlando Economic Partnership), and board member Anne-Marie Hayward (OBJ).

GO Sports CFO Gary Cohen and his wife Jill Cohen (The Lifeboat Project) hosted The Lifeboat Project's 11th semi-annual poker tournament, pictured with Commissioner Bob Dallari (Seminole County).

GO Sports Associate VPs Kyle Sturley and Chase DeMayo and Manager Elizabeth Caldarelli attended the Downtown Orlando Partnership Golden Brick awards last week at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel attended the Boy Scouts Golden Eagle Award dinner, pictured with board member and award winner Robb Larson (Osceola Heritage Park), Jarrod Dillon (Orlando City/Orlando Pride), Commissioner Viviana Janer (Osceola County), and board member Tammy Gustafson (Universal).

GO Sports Executive VP Jennifer Lastik attended the WISE Within Mentorship Program Kick Off Breakfast earlier this week. Jennifer serves as secretary for the WISE Greater Orlando Board of Directors.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel and Director Jordan Lyda attended the Orlando Economic Partnership 'Seize the Moment' event at Full Sail Live, pictured with Laureen Martinez (OEP) and board member Jenise Osani (OUC).

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel and Director Jordan Lyda attended the NACE Finals at Full Sail University, pictured with Sari Kitelyn (Full Sail) and Jim Carr (NAIA).

GO Sports board member Robb Larson hoisting his well-deserved Golden Eagle award earlier this week, pictured with board member Adrianna Sekula (Solidarity Partners).

GO Sports Senior VP Michael Kalinich and Chairman Sharon Line Clary pictured at the Sideline Wine & Dine event presented by OAI.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel and Associate VP Chase DeMayo attended the West Lakes District's Playdate community event, pictured with Commissioner Mike Scott (Orange County) and board member Justin Kinsey (West Lakes District) and their leadership team.

GO Sports Senior VP Brent Nelson and Director Jordan Lyda attended the Sports ETA Symposium in Portland, pictured with Sports Commission executives from across the State of Florida.

GO Sports Senior VP Brent Nelson and Director Jordan Lyda attended the Sports ETA Symposium last week in Portland, pictured with Sports Commission executives from across the United States.

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Fun & Games.

• What's Happening: Lake County Things To Do
• What's Happening: Orange County Things To Do
• What's Happening: Seminole County Things To Do