May in Review: Celebrating Culture & Community | | |
May was a vibrant month for AACC!
We proudly participated in the 2025 Asian Cultural Festival, Vietnamese American Medical Professionals of Florida Health Fair, and East Meets West, engaging with our diverse community and supporting local initiatives.
Vi Ma, AACC Former President (2020-2023), also joined fellow leaders as a panelist for the Indian American Chamber of Commerce's Small Business Expo, Uniting for Growth: A Fireside Panel with Central Florida’s Chamber Leaders. 🎤
We’re honored to be part of so many meaningful conversations and celebrations this month! 🙌
| | AACC's AAPI Celebration Highlights | | |
Thank you to everyone who joined us for AAPI Celebration: Bridging Cultures, Building Futures! 🌸✨
Your presence made the event so special—from the vibrant performances and delicious bites to the meaningful connections and community spirit. We’re proud to uplift AAPI voices and celebrate the rich cultures that shape our future together.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
| | Upcoming Community Events | | | |
13th Annual IACC Golf Tournament
May 31 @ 8:00 am - 2:00 pm
The 13th Annual Indian American Chamber of Commerce (IACC) Golf Tournament is set to take place at the prestigious Rosen Shingle Creek, a renowned venue known for its world-class golf courses and exceptional facilities. This much-anticipated event brings together business professionals, community leaders, and golf enthusiasts for a day of sport, networking, and community building.
On the day of the tournament, players will experience the impeccable greens and fairways which offers a challenging yet enjoyable round for golfers of all skill levels. The event will feature a shotgun start, ensuring all participants begin simultaneously from different holes, promoting a seamless and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
Participants can look forward to a day filled with competitive spirit, and the opportunity to forge new relationships, all while enjoying one of the finest golf courses in the region. Whether you are a seasoned golfer or simply looking to enjoy a day out on the course, the IACC Golf Tournament offers something for everyone.
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CAACF Dragon Boat Festival 2025
May 31 @ 8:30 am - 12:00 pm ($10 – $20)
The Duanwu Festival, also often known as the Dragon Boat Festival, is a traditional holiday originating in China, occurring near the summer solstice. The festival now occurs on the 5th day of the 5th month of the traditional Chinese calendar, which is the source of the festival’s alternative name, the Double Fifth Festival.
“The festival is the perfect combination of a cultural celebration and a rendezvous between friends. We are not only able to test the Duanwu knowledge and carry out the tradition by dragon boating and eating zongzi, but we also had fun playing games and socializing with the people in our community. The Duanwu Festival is the perfect introduction to summer. ”
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Gang Ming Temple’s Kids’ Summer Camp
May 31 @ 8:30 am - June 1 @ 5:30 pm
Calling all Brave Wayfinders to join us for a moana themed Summer Camp! Through Activities, Art Crafts making and Team Building, dive into 2 Days of Fun, Friendship and Discover!
Location: Guang Ming Temple
Age: 5-13 Years Old
Places are subject to availability. (40 participants only)
Camp Fee : USD 40
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Leyte Dance Theater in Tampa
June 13 @ 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
LEYTE DANCE THEATER is coming back to Tampa. Mark your calendar for Friday, June 13th, at the Bayanihan Arts and Events Center at 14301 Nine Eagles Drive, Tampa.
The Leyte Dance Theater comprises dancers from different parts of Region 8 who live and study in Tacloban City.
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Islamic Center of Orlando Eid Carnival
June 14 @ 4:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Join Islamic Center of Orlando for a day of rides, inflatables, a petting zoo, face painting for the kids, and much more. You can also enjoy a variety of food options available for purchase, explore our bazaar, and much more. Everyone is welcome to celebrate, eat, and enjoy the Eid festivities with us!
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Don Bronto with the Champions Concert in Clearwater
June 14 @ 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm ($30 – $50)
Tickets are selling fast to the concert for a cause on June 14th at the Light of Christ Catholic Church Parish Hall – 2176 Marilyn St, Clearwater, FL 33765
The fundraising are to:
* Build an adoration chapel at Light of Christ
* Build two classrooms at Barry Elem School Philippines
* Support the Medical Mission of Hospital On Wheels
| | AACC Corporate Sponsor News | | Universal Destinations & Experiences Celebrates the Grand Opening of Universal Epic Universe | |
The wait is finally over, and Universal Epic Universe at Universal Orlando Resort is now open! We want to take a moment to thank you for your continued support and partnership throughout this journey, which started on a blank piece of paper nearly 10 years ago. Epic Universe is our most ambitious endeavor to date, and it represents more than just a new theme park – it’s a continued investment in the future of our community through job creation, business growth, tourism development and more.
- Comcast’s direct investment in Epic Universe has resulted in $11B of economic impact nationwide.
- In its first year of operations, Epic Universe is anticipated to generate $2B for the state of Florida alone.
- 65,000 jobs were generated across the country by Epic Universe construction.
- Epic Universe is projected to create more than 17,500 new jobs across the country in its first year of operations.
- Short-term rentals off-site and the addition of 2,000 new hotel rooms within the Epic Universe resort complex is expected to generate $13M in Tourist Development Tax revenue from increased tourism volume.
- Since the program’s inception in 1998, Universal Orlando team member volunteers have donated more than 600,000 hours of service.
- From 2019-2023, Universal Orlando Foundation grants, Universal Orlando cash donations, and in-kind contributions totaled $69.6M.
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Orlando Health Doctors & UCF Students Team Up to Invent AI Technology for Surgeries | |
On Tuesday, Orlando Health and UCF unveiled a new AI project developed by doctors, students and faculty. Orlando Health surgeons teamed up with undergraduate UCF engineering and computer science students to develop AI software to assist during surgeries.
The project is called the AIMS system (Artificial Intelligence for Medical Surgery system). This past Spring, Dr. Alexis Sanchez, Director of Robotic Surgery at Orlando Health, and Laura Brattain, UCF biomedical engineer, put their heads together in the operating room (OR). While observing a robotic surgery, the pair came up with an idea to track surgical tools in ORs. Through the new partnership, UCF students developed the idea into reality.
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Several Defensive-Minded Players Projected to be Available in Mid to Late First Round of 2025 NBA Draft | |
The Orlando Magic have made the playoffs the last two years largely because of their defense. They ranked third on that end in 2023-24 and second in 2024-25.
If adding another defensive ace or two this summer is something they are considering, there could be a few available in this year’s draft at pick No. 16 or pick No. 25.
Among the top defenders in this draft class who are projected to be chosen outside the top 10 include Khaman Maluach out of Duke, Drake Powell out of UNC, Carter Bryant out of Arizona, Collin Murray-Boyles out of South Carolina, JT Toppin out of Texas Tech, Joan Beringer out of France and Ryan Kalkbrenner out of Creighton.
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May 2025: Detailed Look at State and Local Updates | |
Check out our monthly series that focuses on timely, topical insights on various payroll and reporting issues at the state and local level. This edition covers regulatory and legislative updates in benefits, leave, payroll, and time and labor.
The highlighted states include Alaska, Illinois, Missouri, New York and Washington.
It also provides a list of minimum wage announcements.
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Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida
Serving our members and the Central Florida community since 1986.
Dream. Believe. Achieve.
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Board of Directors
Christine M. Berk, AACC President, The Collier Companies
Thomas Lin, AACC Vice President, Orange County Sheriff's Office
Gary Mata, AACC Secretary, Orlando Magic
Natasha Jaipaul, AACC Treasurer, ADP
Vi Ma, AACC Former President & Finance Reviewer, Global Diversity Marketing Network
Lisa Gong Guerrero, AACC Board of Directors & Sergeant of Arms, Gong Guerrero Law
Jay Shah, AACC Board of Directors, New York Life/Eagle Strategies
Mila Zeng, AACC Board of Directors, USANA Health Sciences
Ying Zhang, AACC Board of Directors, Orlando Health
Board Advisors
Richard Ly, Advisor to the Board, Maaco
Simon Choy, Advisor to the Board, ADP
Gregory C. Maaswinkel, Legal Advisor to the Board, Maaswinkel Law P.A.
| | Thank you to our Corporate Sponsors! | | | | |
