Greater Orlando Sports Commission - Impact Update powered by Withum

Impact Update for Thursday, May 12

"Congratulations to all of the 2022 SPORTYS finalists announced today. We could not be more pleased to celebrate these tremendously talented individuals in our sports community. This year’s inclusive field of 60 finalists represents 36 different regional organizations, an increase from 33 organizations last year, showing the continued growth and impact of the sports industry in Central Florida."

-Faron Kelley, Vice President, ESPN Wide World of Sports and Chairman of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission Board of Directors

See SPORTYS story below...

Quote of the Day.

“Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships”

- Michael Jordan

Around The Horn.

The Greater Orlando Sports Commission has unveiled the list of 60 finalists for the 2022 SPORTYS: Greater Orlando’s Night of Champions presented by Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute. The finalists were selected by a voting committee made up of members of the GO Sports board of directors. Representing 36 different organizations throughout Greater Orlando, the complete list of finalists can be found here along with the corporate partners who are sponsoring the 12 award categories.
Today, the World Rugby Council unanimously voted to officially select the United States as the host nation of the 2031 Men’s Rugby World Cup and the 2033 Women’s Rugby World Cup. This moment marks a pivotal turning point for the sport of rugby in the United States and around the world. Orlando is one of 25 U.S. cities bidding to host matches in either or both tournaments.
Full Sail University, in collaboration with the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games global broadcast partner ESPN, announced it will fully produce the first ever 2022 Special Olympics USA Games Unified Esports Invitational on Tuesday, June 7, 2022. Taking place at the university's on-campus esports arena, the Full Sail University Orlando Health Fortress, the event will air live on ESPN3, in addition to streaming via the Special Olympics Twitch channel, and Full Sail Armada's Twitch.
Major League Fishing, the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, is set to return to Leesburg and Central Florida for a tournament next week, May 19-21, with the Toyota Series at the Harris Chain of Lakes. The tournament will showcase a field of the region’s best bass-fishing pros and Strike King co-anglers.
Monster Jam World Finals are returning to Camping World Stadium May 21 and 22, drawing fans from all over the globe. This year also marks Monster Jam’s 30th anniversary and the 40th anniversary of world-famous Grave Digger.
Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles is set to headline the opening ceremony for the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games next month. Orlando will host what is set to be the largest USA Games in Special Olympics history, with more than 5,500 athletes from across the country expected in Central Florida this June. The Games kick off with an opening ceremony on June 5 at Exploria Stadium.
The Orlando Predators and National Arena League football are back at the Amway Center with dynamic new owners Nate Starling and John Cheney, who are also supporting the community and several charities through their notable upcoming nonprofit initiative, the Orlando Preds Football Foundation. Click here to see ticketing options for future home games, including May 15 and May 28.
UCF softball has clinched their first AAC regular-season title since 2015. The Knights got just what they needed thanks to a high-powered 6th during which they scored 5 times with 2 outs.
Ken Brauman will close his 50th year as a high school track and field coach when his Sanford Seminole boys and girls teams compete in the Class 4A state meet on the University of Florida campus on Saturday. He’s still not seeing the finish line.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady has lined up a new job when he hangs up his cleats – whenever that may be. Brady will join Fox Sports as its lead NFL analyst when he retires, the network announced Tuesday.
The Orlando area standouts take aim at the FHSAA track and field state meets. Winter Springs senior Caroline Wells looks to complete her illustrious Florida high school running career with two more state championships this week.
Amanda Cromwell made a memorable L.A. homecoming to see the Angel City team she once co-owned play for the first time — only she watched from the visiting technical area, where she coached the Orlando Pride to a 1-0 win before an announced crowd of 17,510 at Banc of California Stadium.
Sports ETA, the only trade association for the sports events and tourism industry, released its annual State of the Industry Report for 2021 resulting in the sports tourism sector’s direct spending impact of $39.7 billion which generated a total economic impact of $91.8 billion, supporting 635,000 full-time and part-time jobs and generating $12.9 billion in taxes.

In The News.

Orlando’s wealth of things to do and see makes it an “Unbelievably Real” destination for tourists and businesses, according to a $28.5 million marketing campaign launched Monday by Visit Orlando and the Orlando Economic Partnership. The new slogan emerged after about a year of collaboration among the tourist association and economic growth groups to sell Orlando to wider audiences.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer announced Deputy Chief Eric Smith is set to take over the leadership of the city’s police department following the announcement of Chief Orlando Rolón’s retirement after serving three years in the position. Dyer announced Smith’s new position as the department’s 40th police chief on Monday at Orlando police headquarters.
The Osceola County Commission announced in March that it would pay for all 2022 high school graduates in the county to go to Valencia College or the county's technical school, a more than $12 million investment that aims to boost education in a working-class community hit hard economically by the COVID-19 pandemic.
For the first time in its 89-year history, the Orange County Bar Association elected four female officers to lead the organization of more than 3,000 judges, attorneys and legal professionals.
A new exhibit at Orlando City Hall showcases the paintings and graphic artistry of Winter Park creator Chris Robb, with one piece highlighting the through lines of 40 years of drawing, painting, printmaking, stenciling and ideas.
The newest addition to an in-patient mental health unit is bringing hopefulness, healing, and recovery to veterans at the Orlando VA Medical Center in Lake Nona. Orlando VA recently partnered with the Armed Forces families Foundation to transform extra space into a tranquility garden. The thoughtful design was conceptualized with special attention to safety and to bring calmness, help with sleep, and provide patients with an overall healthier environment.
Walkers and runners gathered at SeaWorld for American Lung Association’s 5k Lung Force. Organizers said nearly 500 people signed-up to take part in the walk-run event. They altogether raised more than $95,000. The money will fund the lung association’s efforts to end lung cancer and lung disease, as well as support the organization’s COVID-19 action initiative.

Stay Engaged.

May is Asian Pacific American Heritage month and the Asian American Chamber of Commerce is co-hosting this year’s event with Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer at Orlando's City Hall on May 18. Come celebrate the diverse AAPI community, economic growth, as well as education and heritage.
WonderWorks Orlando on International Drive is offering teachers and school staff free admission for the month of May as part of teacher appreciation days.
At the Florida Highwaymen Meet & Greet on May 14, there will be a group of 26 African Americans who found success as artists in the segregated South of the 1950s. Meet some of these remarkable artists, hear their stories, and purchase their uniquely Florida artwork.
Gatorland will again celebrate Gatorpalooza, a two-day event at the attraction that features live music, vendors, the Florida Man Challenge and an admission discount for Florida residents. Gatorpalooza is set for May 14-15 and will include specialty food can craft vendors, artisans, the Gatorland Vlog Team in addition to the assorted gators and animals that regularly inhabit the tourism mainstay.
The Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival is a 14-day immersive cultural experience held annually in mid-May, featuring 850 ticketed theatrical performances and a free outdoor music festival. The festival unites local, national, and international artists with the Central Florida community, creating a uniquely diverse arts experience.
Experience one of North America's largest comic, sci-fi, horror, anime and gaming events at MEGACON Orlando! Four big days of citywide events, family-friendly attractions and world-renowned celebrities await you at the Orange County Convention Center on May 19-22.
Embrace culture and community during National Barbeque Month at the Rhythm & Brews BBQ Fest on May 14. Celebrate the arrival of summer with live music on the lawn, mouthwatering BBQ from 20 competing cooks, and refreshing craft, import, and domestic brews along the scenic Sanford Riverwalk at Fort Mellon Park.
Take a stroll through the galleries with infants and toddlers at the Orlando Museum of Art Stroller Tour! On May 18, join a Museum educator for a one-hour tour of OMA with lively discussion and engaging experiences. Both babies and adults can gaze at colorful and intriguing works of art without the fear of being disruptive.
Opera Orlando will host it's fifth Viva L'Opera Annual Gala at the The Alfond Inn at Rollins College on Saturday, May 21, featuring special guest artists, delicious food, dancing, and a trip around the world.
Orlando Carnival is back again on May 27-29, 2022, with Caribbean food, drinks and music as part of its very own Caribbean carnival celebration!
SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens are now offering military members and up to three guests complimentary one-day admission to the theme park. The offer is valid for qualified service members and veterans, including active, retired, honorably separated officers and enlisted personnel of the U.S. military.
Florida residents can save big while visiting Walt Disney World Resort theme parks. Click here to view the current list of special offers.
Universal Orlando's Florida resident specials include discounts on vacation packages.

In The Community.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel and Executive Vice President Jennifer Lastik attended the launch of Visit Orlando's and Orlando Economic Partnership's multi-million dollar marketing campaign. OEP President & CEO Tim Giuliani is also a GO Sports Board Member

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel attended i4 Business Magazine's Women's Inspired Leadership Awards luncheon, pictured here with his wife, Sarah Grafton, and UCF First Lady Melinda Cartwright

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel attended a referee recruitment and informational session with Board Member Doug Patterson, hosted by RefReps and Orange County Public Schools

GO Sports Board Member Dr. Keita Joy also attended the i4 Business Magazine Women's Inspired Leadership Awards luncheon, pictured here with UCF's Maritza Martinez-Guerrero

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:
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.

Fun & Games.

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