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Featured Article | |
The SPORTYS - Central Florida Sports Awards & Hall of Fame
The PNC Bank SPORTYS @ Full Sail University will be the can't miss sports event of the year! Central Florida's version of the ESPYs, the PNC Bank SPORTYS will honor the top area high school, amateur, collegiate and professional athletes, deserving local residents and businesses throughout Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia Counties. Sports figures and celebrities will present awards to the biggest names in Central Florida sports, while also paying tribute to local inspirational stories.
During the show, the Class of 2011 will be inducted into the Central Florida Sports Hall of Fame. The Central Florida Sports Hall of Fame is the continuation of a great regional sports tradition, where over 70 Central Floridians have been honored for their distinguished accomplishments within professional and amateur sports since 1981.
An exciting, elegant evening of awards and entertainment, the PNC Bank SPORTYS @ Full Sail University will take place on Saturday, September 24th at 7 pm. Tickets will be available soon. Keep an eye on your inbox for your invitation to attend this one-of-a-kind event!
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A PERSONAL MESSAGE FROM SAM
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We hope this month's activity letter finds you well, as the Central Florida Sports Commission continues its extensive work to bring new and exciting sports related events and activities to Osceola County.
As the month of August begins, the Central Florida Sports Commission and Kissimmee Convention & Visitors Bureau welcomed Soccer Six USA to Osceola County for their Sunshine State 6v6 Open Cup; this event was held at Austin Tindall Park on July 9-10. This was the inaugural event in Osceola County for Soccer Six USA, and 8 teams participated even with the extreme heat. There were some very exciting matches, and the championship came down to extra time. We look forward to working with Soccer Six USA to expand on this event and see how we can develop it further.
On the business development front, we spent a good portion of July prospecting for new business for Osceola County venues and hotels. From softball to chess, the CFSC has been contacting both national and regional organizations on why they should choose Osceola County for their event and/or meeting destination. Read more about our recent activity in this month's impact report.
Thank you for your continued support as we continue to market Osceola County as the "Amateur Sports Capital." |
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Best Regards,
Sam Stark
President/CEO
Central Florida Sports Commission |
| ECONOMIC IMPACT |
Month of June, 2011
Hotel Room Nights: 354
Tax Recovery: $ 5,202.15
Economic Impact: $ 342,819.00
Number of Participants: 2,444
Number of Spectators: 2,444
Number of Events: 1
Year to Date (through June, 2011)
Hotel Room Nights: 14,188
Tax Recovery: $182,839.75
Economic Impact: $11,066,922.00
Number of Participants: 13,672
Number of Spectators: 13,119
Number of Events: 13 |
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IN THE PIPELINE |
On the business development front, the Sports Commission recently reached out to the Florida Chess Association about potentially creating a new event for this coming fall in Osceola County. The event would be most likely staged in a hotel ballroom, but those details are still being worked through with the State Chess Association. This would be a unique event opportunity for Osceola County, and with competition open to all ages, the tournament could attract a wide range of participants from all over the State of Florida to our community. More information to be provided in future impact reports.
In addition, the Sports Commission has recently been in discussions with the University of Louisville and the East Coast Athletic Conference (ECAC) in regards to creating a collegiate golf invitational in Osceola County. This is a very exciting opportunity as it would be a "self-created" annual event bringing in some of the NCAA's top men's and/or women's golf teams to the county year after year. Approximately 10 - 20 teams from across the United States would travel to Osceola County for four (4) days, as the tournament would encompass a practice round and three (3) days of competition. Check back at future impact reports to see how this potential event progresses.
 Also, the Sports Commission and Kissimmee Convention & Visitors Bureau recently submitted a bid to host the 10 & Under ASA Girls Fast Pitch Softball Championships for the first week of August of 2013. If awarded, this would bring 50 to 75 teams from across the United States to Osceola County for an average of 5 days, with the national event being staged at the Osceola County Softball Complex and Fortune Road Athletic Complex. Stay tuned to see if we are awarded the bid, as a decision should come this fall.
Lastly, the Sports Commission and Kissimmee Convention & Visitors Bureau have been working on potentially developing a badminton tournament to be staged annually at the Kissimmee Civic Center. This tournament would be open to all ages, as tournament brackets would be created for several age and skill divisions. This, like the collegiate golf invitational, would provide the county with a "created" annual event. This would be a three day event, and could bring participants from all over the United States to Osceola County to compete. |
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| | WINS & LOSSES | |
(As of July, 2011)
Bids Submitted - 10
Wins - 8
Losses - 1
In addition, the Sports Commission had been working closely with the Kissimmee Convention & Visitors Bureau to potentially bring the World Rope Skipping Championship to Kissimmee in July of 2012. Stretched out over eight (8) days, this weeklong event would generate 1,500+ room nights. Unfortunately, due to a conflict with dates at the Kissimmee Civic Center and Osceola Heritage Park, we were not able to forward a formal proposal. While very interested in Kissimmee, event organizers eventually ended up choosing the University of South Florida. We plan to talk with USA Jump Rope about the possibility of hosting some of their regional and/or national events, so stay tuned! |
| UPCOMING EVENTS | |
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| COMMUNITY PROFILE |
High School Football
The beginning of August means two things; heat and football is right around the corner. High School football practice began August 8th for most of the Central Florida High Schools, and this year brings a new look as the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) added two new classes. Six out of the seven Osceola High Schools find themselves in the same district, Class 7A - 6, with Poinciana being the lone exception; Poinciana is in Class 5A - 7. There should be some pretty exciting games this year in Osceola County, as the games will feature two schools in Osceola County. That will also mean less travel times to games. Let's support all the Osceola County High Schools at the games this fall. Click HERE for information regarding the FHSAA and the new Classes/Districts. |
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