Impact Update for Thursday, March 10
Each week, we will distribute our Impact Update newsletter on Thursdays. We encourage you to share this information with friends, families, and business owners who may be able to take advantage of the resources, programming options, local highlights and industry news below.

Jason Siegel
President & CEO
Greater Orlando Sports Commission
It’s not the will to win that matters—everyone has that. It’s the will to prepare to win that matters.

- Paul "Bear" Bryant
American College Football Player & Coach

“With so much demand for live shows, particularly in an expansive setting, we’ve never experienced a year quite like this. After not being able to tour much over the last two years, artists are eager to get back on the road and their fans are thrilled to finally see their favorite artists in person, instead of through a livestream. If you’re a live music fan, get ready because we’ve got something for everybody.”

-Allen Johnson, Chief Venues Officer
Orlando Venues

See Camping World Stadium story below...


Around The Horn.

  • When Billy Joel walks onto the stage at Camping World Stadium this Saturday night, he’ll usher in an unprecedented slate of six big concerts set to play the iconic Orlando venue in 2022. For perspective, since completing its massive $207.7 million reconstruction in 2014, the stadium has averaged one concert per year. Each of these concerts are expected to deliver a significant local economic impact in excess of $20 million through hotel room nights, transportation, dining and miscellaneous travel-related expenses.
  • The 2022 MexTour, one of the top sports properties in North America, will kick off on Wednesday, April 27 at 8:00pm, when the Mexican National Team battles Guatemala at Camping World Stadium in Orlando – a candidate city and venue to host 2026 FIFA World Cup matches. The announcement was made jointly by the Federación Mexicana de Fútbol (FMF), the City of Orlando, Greater Orlando Sports Commission, and Soccer United Marketing (SUM).
  • The Florida Region of USA Volleyball is proud to recognize several outstanding members for their dedication and commitment to further the sport of volleyball. Many thankless hours go into coaching a team, running a club, attending clinics, getting certified, planning events, and improving the region every year, and this year four new members will be inducted into the Florida Region of USA Volleyball Hall of Fame
  • In a sport where calm often prevails, golfer Scottie Scheffler thrives in chaos. During Sunday’s topsy-turvy Arnold Palmer Invitational, he once again rose to the occasion on a day when five different players held the lead, two golfers broke 70 and six carded scores in the 80s.
  • UCF Women's Basketball romped past SMU on Wednesday to advance to the AAC Championship game. In Thursday’s 9pm title game, the Knights will face USF, who they have defeated twice this season.
  • UCF Men's Basketball Coach Johnny Dawkins views the American Athletic Conference tournament as a chance to hit the reset button on the year. The Knights ended the regular season 17-11 overall and 9-9 in league play.
  • The Orlando Magic used another high-level defensive showing to secure a 108-102 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday.
  • EA SPORTS and Montverde Academy are partnering through 2025 to create unparalleled educational and extracurricular opportunities for aspiring video game industry professionals, marked by the launch of EA SPORTS at MVA in August 2022. Combining insights from the top publisher of sports video games and an institution recognized globally for producing academically advanced students, EA SPORTS at MVA represents the convergence of world-class industry, academic and athletic expertise. Learn more about MVA at MVASports.com.
  • Delta announced new partnerships with the Women’s Sports Foundation and the National Women’s Soccer League, becoming the official airline of the league.
  • The Florida High School Athletic Association’s board of directors narrowly approved a proposal to split football state championships into separate Metro and Suburban classifications.
  • Roger Federer said Saturday any tournament comeback from his knee surgery last year will not be until at least the late summer. The 40-year-old tennis great gave an update on his lengthy rehabilitation to Swiss broadcaster SRF when he attended a women’s World Cup ski race.
  • MLB and its players association moved closer on key economic issues Wednesday — but still couldn’t reach a dealMLB canceled a second week of games, pushing Opening Day back to April 14, after the players rejected the league’s latest offer. The league said players would not be paid for missed games.
  • Before he became Tiger Woods the champion golfer, global brand and the first billion-dollar athlete, a multi-ethnic boy in Southern California fell in love with the game long before “diversity” had entered the American lexicon. Woods recalled his rise from humble beginning to national icon Wednesday night at the PGA Tour headquarters as he entered the World Golf Hall of Fame.
  • What better way to celebrate a 100th birthday than a trip across the commonwealth? For legendary native son Herb Douglas, a century of life meant a journey from a residence in Philadelphia back to his hometown. The oldest living U.S. Olympic medalist earned a bronze in the long jump at the 1948 London Games.
In The News.

Stay Engaged.

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:
  • The #IGotMyShot mobile vaccination trailer continues to visit neighborhoods and businesses throughout Orange County. For next week’s schedule, or for more information about the #IGotMyShot campaign, visit ocfl.net/IGotMyShot.
  • 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.
  • The Orange County Library System offers Right Service at the Right Time, a free online tool and public resource that is particularly useful to those who have had their income affected by COVID-19. The service provides a platform to easily find information on government-assistance and community-support programs. 
  • 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.