Featured Article
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4th Annual Daytona Beach Half Marathon
Runners, it's time to lace up your sneakers! The Central Florida Sports Commission, in conjunction with the Daytona International Speedway, will host the 4th Annual Daytona Beach Half Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 30. The 13.1-mile race will start at historic Daytona International Speedway, proceed through the streets of Daytona Beach and include a half-mile run along the "World's Most Famous Beach" before concluding at the Speedway.
The advanced entry fee for the Daytona Beach Half Marathon is $60 per person (must sign up by Oct. 1) and includes an event T-shirt, finisher's medal, post-race party, and one ticket for the All-Access Daytona International Speedway Tour. Approximately 1,000 running and racing enthusiasts from around the country and the world are expected to participate. To register or find more information on the Daytona Beach Half Marathon click HERE.
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KEEP UP WITH US!
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A PERSONAL MESSAGE FROM SAM
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Fall is upon us and with this season comes hopes of cooler weather and beautiful scenery from the colors that autumn provides.
A crowd of more than 350 of Central Florida's sports elite were on hand to experience the PNC Bank SPORTYS @ Full Sail University, which took place on Saturday, September 24 at Full Sail Live. Hosted by the Central Florida Sports Commission, the inaugural event honored the top area high school, amateur, collegiate and professional athletes, coaches, deserving local residents and businesses throughout Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia Counties.
Ryan Lochte, one of the most decorated US swimmers in history and the 2010 World Swimmer of the Year, took home the SPORTY for Professional Athlete of the Year, beating out Dwight Howard and Yani Tseng for the award. Other SPORTY winners were: Amateur Athlete - Marvin Bracy, High School Athlete - Austin Rivers, College Athlete - Jeff Godfrey, Coach of the Year - Anthony Jones, Business of the Year - ESPN Wide World of Sports, Employee of the Year - Tom Snyder, Volunteer of the Year - Shawn Cavalieri, and Rich DeVos Community Spirit Award - Orlando Magic Youth Foundation.
 During the show Glenn "Doc" Rivers, Chuck Rohe and Ricky Watters were inducted into the Central Florida Sports Hall of Fame. After the show, guests enjoyed the Ruth's Chris Steak House Overtime Party on Full Sail's back lot. If you missed the SPORTYS, tune into Bright House Sports Network (channel 47 - HD 1147) on October 5th at 7:00 pm for the tape delayed broadcast!
As you may have heard, I have resigned as President & CEO to head to Chicago to start the newly formed Chicago Sports Commission. While change and transition can be difficult, I can assure you that it is "business as usual" at the sports commission. Staff is working hard to bring more "heads in beds" and the Board is committed to enhancing the role we play in our community.
As you can see we've got a lot of great things going on at the Sports Commission, so read about our recent and upcoming activity below. |
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Best Regards,
Sam Stark
President/CEO
Central Florida Sports Commission |
 | | ECONOMIC IMPACT
The Central Florida Sports Commission serves the counties of Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia, as well as the City of Orlando, by strategically soliciting, creating, and supporting marquis sports-related events and businesses that enhance our community's economy.
Through July, 2011
Hotel Room Nights - 47,545
Tax Recovery - $511,927
Economic Impact - $33,040,519
Number of Participants - 26,333
Number of Spectators - 54,987
Number of Events - 52
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| | | LAKE LOVES SOFTBALL
Good news! We recently had a site visit with the National Training Center and the FHSAA about bringing the Girls Softball Finals back to South Lake in 2012, with the goal of working out a long term deal keeping the event in Clermont. The meeting went very well and we were able to solidify the event for 2012, with the possibility of extending the contract for an additional 2 + years. The FHSAA and its member schools love the National Training Center and they are excited about the possibility of making it a more permanent location of the State Finals.
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NEW BUSINESS IN OSCEOLA
On the business development front, the Sports Commission and Kissimmee Convention & Visitors Bureau recently submitted a bid to host the 2012 US Sports Congress at the Omni Resort at ChampionsGate. This annual conference, which would take place in December of 2012, would bring together Sports Commissions and event organizers from across the United States to Osceola County to discuss the state of the amateur sports industry. Some of the event organizers who have attended in previous years are USA Volleyball, USA Badminton, USA Weightlifting, USA Rugby, Amateur Athletic Union, USA Gymnastics, USA Archery, USA Lacrosse, NAIA, NCAA, PGA, and USA Football to name a few. Hosting this conference would provide us the opportunity to bring multiple event organizers to Osceola County with the goal of showcasing our existing sports venues, along those facilities coming online in future years. Check back in future impact reports to see if we were awarded the event!
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| | | GOLF MEANS BUSINESS
It is common knowledge that golf is a great game, but we want you to know how the game of golf can facilitate opportunity for your business. Join the West Orange Chamber of Commerce and the Central Florida Sports Commission as we host a distinguished panel from the different segments of the golf industry to enlighten you on how to build your business from the game of golf.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
The DoubleTree Universal Orlando
11:30- 1:30pm
$36.00 per person
Corporate Tables of eight: $300.00
Invited panelists include:
*Scott Wellington - Arnold Palmer Invitational
*Kevin Weickel - Children's Miracle Network Golf Classic
*Ray Easler - Club Manager's Association of America
*Kelly Hyne, LPGA
*Paul Metzler, PGA of America
Click HERE for more information and to purchase your tickets.
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| PLAY BALL IN SEMINOLE | |
USSSA Florida baseball is bringing a presence back to the Seminole County Softball Complex starting in September of 2012. A recent meeting at the complex resulted in TEAM SEMINOLE coming together and agreeing in principal with USSSA on two weekend dates to host tournaments next year. The size and scope of each event is still being worked out.
The hopes are the two (2) tournaments will draw youth baseball teams from across the State of Florida to Altamonte Springs, with the goal of adding additional events to the sports calendar in Seminole County for 2012 and beyond. USSSA hosts numerous tournaments throughout the State of Florida during the year and increasing their presence in our community can only help to position Seminole County as a prime player in the youth baseball scene. Stay tuned for more information on future USSSA Florida baseball events to be staged in Seminole County. |
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Sports Club Member Profile: Full Sail University | |
Over the past 30 years, Full Sail University has built a reputation as one of the premier art, music, and film schools in the world. Throughout the entertainment, media, and arts industry, Full Sail graduates have made their names working on award-winning films and albums, acclaimed video games and design projects, live productions, working inside major media companies, and more. Full Sail's degree programs are designed to reflect the real-world needs of the entertainment, media, and arts industry, while encouraging students to explore their own creativity and artistic passion.
Visit their site at http://www.fullsail.edu/ for more information.
Join the Club today! For a full list of member benefits click HERE. |
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