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FEATURED ARTICLE |
The Arnold Palmer Invitational will be held March 22-28. Don't miss out on the opportunity to witness the PGA Tour's finest compete on Arnold Palmer's recently renovated home course at Bay Hill. For more information check out their website. |
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A PERSONAL MESSAGE FROM SAM
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Hope your February is going well! Earlier today a sellout crowd of more than 320 people, including officials from all five Central Florida counties, attended the first-ever "Business of Sports" breakfast earlier today at the Orlando Hilton. Attendees listened to a panel comprised of leaders from the Orlando Magic, UCF, Florida Citrus Sports, ESPN/Disney Wide World of Sports and Sun Sports/Fox Sports. The speakers addressed a wide range of issues. They included Orlando's new Amway Center, ESPN's new branding strategy at Disney World and the future of college football in Central Florida. Be sure to click here to see footage from this morning's breakfast.
In the meantime, this past month found the Sports Commission gearing up for a busy and exciting spring full of event activity, while researching new event related opportunities on behalf of Orange County and the City of Orlando.
First, the Central Florida Sports Commission, along with our partners at the City of Orlando, hosted the 85th Annual East-West Shrine Game on January 23rd at the Florida Citrus Bowl. More than 8,000 spectators from across the United States attended the oldest college all-star game in the country. The East team won the game by taking over the lead with a game winning touchdown with six seconds left for a 13 - 10 win. We look forward to building upon this year's success when the East-West Shrine Game returns to the Florida Citrus Bowl next January.
As we look ahead, the Sports Commission, in partnership with USA Powerlifting-Florida, will be co-hosting the IPF World Masters Bench Press Championships (March 30 - April 3) and the USA Powerlifting Collegiate National Championships (April 16 - 18). Both championships are being staged at the Hyatt Regency Hotel Orlando International Airport. The World Masters is expected to attract approximately 300 athletes, along with an estimated 300 spectators, to Central Florida. The Collegiate National Championships, the largest and most prestigious collegiate powerlifting event in the United States, is also expected to draw 900 athletes and spectators to Orlando.
Thank you for your continued support, as we continue to market Orlando and Orange County as the "Ultimate Sports Destination". |
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Best Regards,
Sam Stark
President/CEO
Central Florida Sports Commission |
| ECONOMIC IMPACT |
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Month of December, 2009
- Hotel Room Nights - 3,548
- Tax Recovery - $47,030.98
- Economic Impact - $4,763,413.70
- Number of Participants -3,104
- Number of Spectators - 37,072
- Number of Events - 1
Year to Date (through December, 2009)
- Hotel Room Nights - 18,145
- Tax Recovery - $207,960.83
- Economic Impact - $16,197,924.20
- Number of Participants - 6,164
- Number of Spectators - 110,977
- Number of Events - 9
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| IN THE PIPELINE |
On the business development front, the Sports Commission is continually researching new sport opportunities for Orange County and the City of Orlando. Event leads that are being evaluated are the FHSAA Boys Volleyball Championship, Sunshine State Conference Men's and Women's Swimming Championships and NCAA Division II Men's & Women's Swimming & Diving National Championships. Local area high schools gymnasiums and the YMCA Aquatic Center would be the potential venues for the aforementioned events. |
| WINS & LOSSES
(As of January, 2010) |
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Formal Bids Submitted: 1
Total Bids Won: 0 (from bid submitted in 2009)
Total Bids Lost: 1
The Sports Commission recently learned that we were not awarded the right to host the 2011 and 2012 NCAA Division III Men's & Women's Swimming and Diving Championships. The preferred dates were not available at the host venue, the YMCA Aquatic Center. |
| UPCOMING EVENTS |
February 19, 2010  Alfond Stadium at Harper-Shepherd Field March 30-April 3, 2010
Hyatt Regency Hotel Orlando International Aiport |
| COMMUNITY PROFILE |
UCF Head Coach, Kirk Speraw, makes history as he earned his 275th win at UCF against the East Carolina on February 2nd. Speraw is in his 17th year with the UCF Knights and their win against the Pirates made Speraw the winningest coach in program history. He also registered his 350th career win on November 22nd with the UCF victory over Drake University. Legendary coach, Torchy Clark, who started the school's program, held the old record with 294 wins. Check out the action when the UCF Knights are back home as they take on UAB Wednesday, February 24. For ticket information please visit www.ucfathletics.com.
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