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FEATURED ARTICLE |
The Central Florida Sports Commission would like to congratulate both the Orlando Magic and Orlando Titans for their successful seasons! The Orlando Magic made it to the Eastern Conference Finals, while the Titans made it to the NLL's East Division Finals. While both came up a tad short of bringing home World Championships, we are proud of each and can't wait until next season when the move into the Amway Center!
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A PERSONAL MESSAGE FROM SAM
It's been an exciting time in our community over the last month or so. With Orlando Magic and Orlando Titans Playoff Games taking place at the Amway Arena, to the announcement of the NBA All Star Game coming to the new Amway Center in 2012, Downtown Orlando has been a buzz. Here at the Sports Commission, we find ourselves preparing for our annual cornerstone event, the Celebrity Mascot Games. 
For the 18th consecutive year, the Celebrity Mascot Games will bring 30 mascots from the NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB and NCAA to the Amway Arena for two (2) exciting shows. This year's event will be on July 16th & 17th. Stuff (Orlando Magic), Knightro (University of Central Florida), Captain Fear (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and Albert (University of Florida) are a few of the mascots that will battle in gladiator themed games to determine the ultimate champions of the mascot world. Proceeds of the event benefit New Hope for Kids, a wish granting organization for children with life threatening illnesses. The Celebrity Mascot Games is the only event of its kind so we hope you will join us! Also in July, the Sports Commission welcomes back the USA Taekwondo Junior Olympics and Senior Nationals to the Orange County Convention Center. Approximately 2,500 athletes, along with an additional 5,000 + coaches and spectators are expected to be in attendance. This marks the 4th time this event has been staged In Orange County. On the business development front, multiple events are currently being evaluated by the Sports Commission for the Citrus Bowl and Amway Center for 2011 and beyond. Read about them, along with other recent business development initiatives, below.
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Best Regards,
Sam Stark
President/CEO
Central Florida Sports Commission |
| ECONOMIC IMPACT |
Month of April, 2010
Hotel Room Nights: 1,155
Tax Recovery: $13,713.16
Economic Impact: $ 955,017.75
Number of Participants: 783
Number of Spectators: 3,722
Number of Events: 2
Year to Date (through April 2010)
Hotel Room Nights: 9,448
Tax Recovery: $ 96,085.18
Economic Impact: $4,909,988.25
Number of Participants: 1,213
Number of Spectators: 12,247
Number of Events: 4 |
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| IN THE PIPELINE | |
On the new business development front, the Sports Commission sent representation to the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Annual Spring Meetings held recently in Destin, Florida. These meetings provide excellent networking opportunities, along with the chance to discuss the Sports Commission's recent bid to host the 2015 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at the Amway Center. In addition, we hope to discuss the SEC Women's Gymnastics Championship which could be staged at the Amway Center in the near future. This event is televised annually on CBS Sports. We hope share more details with respect to these two (2) event opportunities in a future impact report.
In addition, the Sports Commission has recently been in contact with the management group that stages the McDonald's Boys and Girls All American High School Basketball Games. This is an annual event that recognizes the top high school seniors nationwide, with alumni including Michael Jordan and Shaquille O'Neal. This game would be potentially staged at the Amway Center should we be able to meet their overall hosting requirements. We expect to receive a RFP in the coming weeks.
Lastly, the CFSC has been in discussions with several Action Sports entities regarding the opportunity to host future events at both the Citrus Bowl and/or Amway Center. Organizations such as NBC Sports, ASA Entertainment and Feld Motor Sports have been targeted by the Sports Commission based on their inventory of events currently up for bid. Each has potential opportunities for our venues. Stay tuned!
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| WINS & LOSSES
(As of May, 2010) | |
Formal Bids Submitted: 3
Total Bids Won: 1
Total Bids Lost: 1
As mentioned in last month's Impact report, the Sports Commission, in conjunction with UCF, was evaluating a RFP to host the 2011 - 2014 Conference USA Men's Basketball Tournament for either the Amway Center or UCF Arena. Based on our diligence, we elected to not forward a proposal.
Conference USA recently announced that the 2011 Tournament was going to be staged at the University of Texas-El Paso (with a $1 million guarantee in place), which means that 2012 - 2014 locations have not been officially selected. That being said, the Sports Commission will continue to evaluate the opportunity with UCF to potentially submit a proposal in the coming months. Stay tuned for more information on this potential bid.
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| COMMUNITY PROFILE |
Softball in Central Florida has reached a new level! The USSSA Florida Pride kicks off the NPF regular season this month with two new additions to their world class team. Olympian pitcher, Cat Osterman and long-time catching partner, Megan Willis will join the team already packed with six former national team members including Andrea Duran, Kelly Kretschman, Lauren Lappin, Caitlin Lowe, Jessica Mendoza, and Natasha Watley. Tim Walton from the University of Florida will coach the team and all home games will be hosted at the UCF Softball Complex or ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Cheer on the Pride as the return to Florida on June 25th to take on the Tennessee Diamonds at the UCF Softball Complex. To get you tickets, visit www.usssapride.com . |
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http://espnwwos.disney.go.com/events/endurance/expedition-everest-challenge/
www.usssapride.com
