Thank You to Our Back of the House Sponsor!
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St. Patrick’s Day Golf Open Brings Central Florida Hospitality Together in Record Style
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The luck of the Irish was in full swing at our annual St. Patrick’s Day Golf Open last week at the beautiful ChampionsGate Golf Club (Thank You, Marc Reicher).
This year, this signature golf tournament featured more than 200 golfers and 36 generous hole sponsors on two courses. This was a CFHLA first and this year’s tournament was bigger, greener, and more festive than ever!
This year’s event was elevated with customized tournament pin flags, an authentic Irish breakfast, and a traditional Irish lunch of corned beef and cabbage. Both first-place teams (one for each course) took home a bottle of Irish whiskey delivered straight from Sean’s Bar, the oldest pub in Ireland.
Congratulations to our Tournament Champions from the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, who claimed the CFHLA Shamrock Cup and a commemorative pin flags!
From networking on the greens to celebrating at the luncheon, we’re proud to create opportunities for our members to build relationships, strengthen their businesses, and continue to move the hospitality industry forward in Central Florida.
Thank you to everyone who played, sponsored, and supported this fantastic event. Your participation made it a day full of great golf, great company, and just the right amount of Irish luck.
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Thank You to Our Event Sponsors including:
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Additionally, thank you to all our other event sponsors, including our festive hole sponsors, putting contest sponsor, breakfast sponsor, raffle sponsor, and competition sponsors. To see a complete list, CLICK HERE.
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Congratulations to our Winners including:
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Best Decorated Hole / Costume – International Course LandCare
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Best Decorated Hole / Costume –
National Course
DBK, Inc.
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Best Beverage – International Course Kustom
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Women’s Closest to the Pin:
Men’s Closest to the Pin:
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Save the Date for Upcoming CFHLA Signature Events
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CFHLA is excited to announce that the following Signature Events have been confirmed for 2026. Registrations will be available on the CFHLA website throughout the course of the year. Please check your inboxes for further updates over the next few weeks.
2026 Distinguished Leaders in Hospitality Awards
(for CFHLA Lodging Members Only)
Date: Thursday, May 28, 2026
Location: Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes
NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN!
2026 CFHLA Hospitality Tradeshow
If you have any questions related to our CFHLA Signature Events, please contact Senior Director of Events, Kim Gordon at kim.gordon@cfhla.org.
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CFHLA Launches NextGen Leadership Council to Shape the Future of Hospitality
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This week, CFHLA took a significant step in shaping the future of our regional hospitality profession with the launch of our first-ever NextGen Leadership Council.
A top priority of our CFHLA Board Chair Jon McGavin, this council was created to develop and empower senior-level executive team members who demonstrate strong leadership potential, a desire to engage more deeply with CFHLA, and an interest in learning more ways to advance our industry.
During this week's inaugural meeting, these diverse senior-level hospitality leaders connected with peers, and learned more about CFHLA’s strategic priorities, public policy, the importance of political issues/campaigns, and our current workforce development efforts.
Congratulations to Tyler Spaulding, Hotel Manager at the Orlando World Center Marriott, who was named the 2026 Council Chair. Throughout the rest of 2026, Tyler and twenty-two other leaders will collaborate with many of CFHLA's committees - including the Governmental Affairs Committee and the Political Action Committee - to gain firsthand insight into the advocacy process, explore meaningful ways to engage within the Central Florida Hospitality Industry and make an impact.
Additionally, this NextGen Leadership Council will support CFHLA’s broader mission by strengthening our voice within the community and helping build a robust, skilled workforce pipeline for the future.
To learn more about the NextGen Leadership Council and it's members, please CLICK HERE.
Lastly, if you have a senior-level executive team member that you think could benefit from this Council, please contact Zack Brodersen at zack.brodersen@cfhla.org.
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St. Patrick’s Day Online Auction Ends Next Week
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Don’t miss the St. Patrick’s Day Online Auction occurring now through next Monday, March 23rd. This year’s auction features first-time items, including Silver Spurs Rodeo tickets, USTA Private Tennis Lessons, and a PRP Wine International Private In-Home Tasting Experience. A portion of the auction’s proceeds will benefit the CFHLA Foundation, a 501c3 organization.
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Last Chance to Register for Tee It Up for Tourism
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The CFHLA PAC’s Tee It Up for Tourism golf event is quickly approaching, and time is running out to secure your spot for this highly anticipated gathering on Thursday, April 2, 2026 at Eagle’s Edge at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate. Interest in participating has been overwhelming, with all bay rentals officially SOLD OUT. A limited number of spectator tickets remain available exclusively for lodging members, so those hoping to attend should register soon before final spots are filled.
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ABC Home & Commercial Services Supports Student Success in the Arts at Maxey Elementary
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CFHLA is proud to recognize ABC Home & Commercial Services for their support of Maxey Elementary School through our Adopt-A-School program. Over the past year, a collaborative effort between school leadership and community partners helped bring a long-awaited improvement to the school’s arts program.
As a Magnet School for the Arts, Maxey’s dance program has long showcased talented student performers, but the lack of a proper practice floor had created challenges for students and instructors. Through teamwork, a successful grant application, and additional support from ABC, the school secured $15,000 in funding and completed installation of a brand-new dance floor during the holiday break. This meaningful project now provides students with a dedicated space to practice and grow their talents.
Thank you to everyone involved for helping make this vision a reality and for supporting the continued success of Maxey’s young artists!
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CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR
MEMBERS OF THE MONTH
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CFHLA is proud to recognize our March Lodging Member of the Month, John Power, Managing Director at Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando Resort. This recognition reflects John's exceptional leadership, dedication, passion, and ongoing support for CFHLA and the Central Florida Hospitality Industry. John’s contributions have not gone unnoticed, as he has actively supported and participated in several CFHLA’s signature events and shown outstanding leadership through service on both the CFHLA Board of Directors and the CFHLA PAC/PC Board of Directors. Additionally, his engagement, insight, and willingness to contribute his time and expertise over the past few years has played an important role in helping move our organization and industry forward.
We are equally proud to recognize our March Allied Member of the Month, Angela Roach, CEO for A&E Hospitality Solutions LLC. Angela’s outstanding involvement as a CFHLA Silver Partner Member, active participation in CFHLA signature events, dedicated service on numerous committees, and support of community-wide initiatives exemplify her commitment to strengthening Central Florida’s hospitality industry.
It is through these positive contributions and continued partnership that we are eager to recognize both of them this month!
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Why we support CFHLA: “I support CFHLA because they provide opportunities to connect with great people, network for my business, and give back to our community.
The most meaningful and rewarding part for me is being involved in the AdoptASchool committee; we get to see the direct impact our support gives OCPS Roberto Clemente MS. And its Hospitality, so it’s always a Fun Time !!” – Christina Martinez, President, SimpleFire.
Company snapshot: SimpleFire is an Orlando-based Fire & Life Safety team providing system installations/renovations, code inspections, monitoring, and 24/7 service.
We make compliance simple and easy, with factory-trained technicians who deliver quick, effective solutions to system deficiencies.
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Check out the latest hospitality employment opportunities in Central Florida.
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About CFHLA
6675 Westwood Blvd #210, Orlando, FL 32821
The mission of the Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association is to represent the Central Florida Hospitality Industry, by setting the standard of excellence through advocacy, collaboration, education, recognition, and service.
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