Thank You to Our Back of the House Sponsors
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CFHLA Celebrates Excellence at the Third Annual Distinguished Leaders in Hospitality Awards
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This week, CFHLA proudly recognized a record-breaking 163 hospitality leaders - from 63 CFHLA lodging member properties across Central Florida - during the third annual Distinguished Leaders in Hospitality Awards.
Each of these outstanding hospitality leaders were recognized for their strong leadership, their ability to inspire their teams to excel, and embody the very best in hospitality as they created exceptional guest experiences for all visitors throughout the Central Florida region.
With more than 500 in attendance, eight hotel leaders were recognized and honored for their excellence in hospitality leadership, as the winners for each of the designated categories.
To learn more about the winners, please CLICK HERE.
A special thank you to our 2026 Board Chairman, Jon McGavin and the entire team at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes for hosting this memorable evening!
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Please join us in congratulating the
2026 Distinguished Leaders in Hospitality winners including:
We'd also like to thank our 2026 Corporate Sponsors including:
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Be sure to check out next week's Back of House for the full photo album from this special recognition event.
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Welcome Ryan Ritchie, New Vice President
of Membership and Operations
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Please join us in welcoming Ryan Ritchie to the CFHLA team as the new Vice President of Membership and Operations. Ryan’s first official day will be Monday, June 1st.
Following a very competitive and nationwide search process since last August, Ryan emerged as the clear choice for this very important leadership role with CFHLA. For nearly twenty years, Ryan has built a strong background in supporting the hospitality industry including experience in destination marketing, tourism leadership, partnership development, membership engagement, and organizational operations.
Most recently, Ryan served as the Tourism Director for Discover Lake County Florida, where he played an instrumental role in advancing tourism initiatives, strengthening community partnerships, and promoting economic development through the travel and hospitality industry since 2022. Prior to Discover Lake County Florida, Ryan served the City of Haines City as Deputy Parks and Recreation Director and held a variety of sales, events, and operational roles at Visit Central Florida.
Ryan’s energy, professionalism, collaborative leadership style, and commitment to the hospitality industry will be tremendous asset as we continue to advance CFHLA’s mission by serving as the leading voice for the hospitality profession in Central Florida. Plus, Ryan’s experience in strategic planning, relationship building with industry leaders and government officials, sales, marketing, event collaboration, and stakeholder engagement makes him an outstanding addition to the CFHLA team.
As the new Vice President of Membership and Operations, Ryan will now oversee CFHLA’s membership engagement and growth strategies and help lead the team, as we continue to support to our industry and strengthen the impact CFHLA has upon our community.
Next time you stop by our CFHLA office or attend our next CFHLA event, please be sure to give Ryan a warm welcome to the team!
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Sheraton Orlando Lake Buena Vista Celebrates
Reorientation and Renewed Guest Experience
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Last week, CFHLA had the pleasure of attending the reorientation celebration at the Sheraton Orlando Lake Buena Vista, where hospitality professionals gathered for an evening of networking, entertainment, and celebration.
The celebration showcased the property's renewed energy and commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences. A highlight of the evening was learning more about the hotel's recent renovations and enhancements.
This includes the newly renovated guest rooms, which feature modern furnishings, updated décor, enhanced amenities, and thoughtfully designed spaces that provide both comfort and convenience for travelers visiting the Orlando area. The refreshed accommodations reflect the property's ongoing investment in elevating the guest experience and maintaining its position as a premier lodging destination in Central Florida.
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Congratulations again to Complex Managing Director Graham Parker and his leadership team, along with the rest of the team at the Sheraton Orlando Lake Buena Vista on this exciting milestone and we look forward to their continued success!
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Register for the State of Orange County Address
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Be sure to join Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings on Friday, June 5, 2026 at the Orange County Convention Center – West Concourse. Mayor Demings will deliver his final State of the County Address, reflecting on Orange County's accomplishments, challenges, and continued commitment to excellence and innovation.
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Thank you again to all of our sponsors and registration is complimentary. Breakfast and networking will begin at 8:00am followed by the State of the County Address at 9:00am.
CLICK HERE to register.
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CFHLA Members Adopt 121 Central Florida Schools throughout the 2025-2026 School Year
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As we conclude the 2025-2026 school year, CFHLA would like to recognize and thank our 121 members who adopted a Central Florida School throughout the school year! This included K-12 schools from Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake and Volusia Counties.
Through the CFHLA Adopt-A-School program, our members continue to demonstrate the heart of hospitality by investing in our local schools, supporting students and educators, strengthening community connections, and helping create meaningful opportunities for the next generation.
Thank you again to each of our members and partners for their commitment this year and for helping to make a lasting impact in the communities we live, work, play, and serve. To learn more about the CFHLA Adopt-A-School Program and how to become a partner, please CLICK HERE.
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SeaWorld Reaches Milestone
of 43,000 Animal Rescues
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CFHLA is proud to congratulate SeaWorld on surpassing 43,000 animal rescues, an incredible milestone that reflects their continued commitment to helping injured, sick, and orphaned animals in need.
The milestone rescue included an orphaned California sea lion pup found in Carlsbad, California, who is now receiving care at the SeaWorld Rescue Center in San Diego.
Here in Florida, SeaWorld Rescue teams have already assisted 21 manatees, a baby dolphin, nearly 40 turtles/reptiles and several birds in 2026. SeaWorld Orlando is also home to the largest manatee rescue operation in the United States.
We applaud SeaWorld’s ongoing leadership in rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation, and celebrate this meaningful achievement for one of our valued CFHLA Members.
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Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Honors Local
Educators During Teacher Appreciation Week
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In celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week, Wyndham Lake Buena Vista proudly supported its Adopt-A-School partner, Thacker Avenue Elementary School, by delivering prizes and goodies for the school’s incredible teachers and staff. The thoughtful gesture was a small way to recognize the dedication, hard work, and positive impact the educators make every day in the lives of their students.
CFHLA’s Adopt-A-School program continues to highlight the meaningful connections between our hospitality members and local schools, creating opportunities to give back and strengthen the community. A big thank you to the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista team for showing appreciation and support for the outstanding faculty and staff at Thacker Avenue Elementary School during this special week.
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CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR MAY
MEMBERS OF THE MONTH
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CFHLA is proud to recognize our May Lodging Member of the Month, Richard Hess, Hotel Manager at Hilton Orlando. This recognition reflects his exceptional leadership, dedication, and passion for CFHLA and the broader Central Florida Hospitality Industry. Richard’s contributions have not gone unnoticed, as he has actively supported and participated in several CFHLA signature events and recent selection into the inaugural NextGen Leadership Council. Furthermore, his continued engagement and willingness to contribute his time and expertise have played an integral role in helping move our organization and the industry forward.
We are equally proud to recognize our May Allied Member of the Month, Kim Dvorscak, VP of Client Relations for Xpodigital, for her outstanding involvement as a CFHLA VIP Member! Additionally, her ongoing support of our community-wide initiatives, as well as participation and sponsorship of so many annual CFHLA signature events, has been a tremendous help to the association. She’s truly helped CFHLA reach new heights! Not to mention, we are thankful for the in-kind donation of the new digital TV’s that look fantastic in our CFHLA office!
It is through these positive contributions and continued partnership that we are eager to recognize both of them this month!
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Meet the VIP: AdventHealth
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Visitors come to Central Florida to make memories that will last a lifetime. And, they can count on us to support them at every moment. As the #1-rated hospital in Florida, AdventHealth provides more vacation-friendly care options, including telehealth visits on the go and prescription and medical equipment delivery right to their hotel. It’s trusted whole-person care that makes visitors feel right at home.
At AdventHealth, everything we do is centered on helping people feel whole - in body, mind and spirit. We are a connected system with more than 100,000 skilled and compassionate caregivers with more than 50 hospital campuses and hundreds of care sites in diverse markets throughout nine states.
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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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