CFHLA Recognizes Outstanding Front Line Professionals at the Golden Pineapple Awards
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Once again, congratulations to our thirteen Golden Pineapple Award honorees and the 261 front-line hospitality professionals - from 68 CFHLA lodging properties - who were recognized last week at the Golden Pineapple Awards!
Their dedication, professionalism, and exemplary service represent the very best of Central Florida’s hospitality industry.
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Please also take a moment to check out our photo album from the evening. Special thanks to Britt Runion Studios, our in-kind photographer, for beautifully capturing this memorable evening that recognized these outstanding hospitality professionals from across the Central Florida region.
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Osceola County Lodging Leaders Hear from
Experience Kissimmee
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This week, CFHLA hosted our first Osceola County Lodging Leadership Meeting of 2026 at the Experience Kissimmee office. Thank you again to Experience Kissimmee President/CEO D.T. Minich and COO Misty Johantgen for graciously hosting this meeting.
The meeting featured an in-depth guest presentation from D.T. Minich about Experience Kissimmee’s efforts in 2025 and 2026 to drive further tourism to our destination. Additionally, he shared more opportunities for our local hoteliers to partner with EK moving forward. Furthermore, our lodging leaders also heard valuable updates from:
CFHLA would like to thank our 2026 Osceola County Lodging Leadership meeting sponsors including:
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CFHLA Hosts First
Vacation Ownership Council Meeting
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CFHLA was also proud to host our first Vacation Ownership Council meeting of 2026 at Marriott’s Harbour Lake, with a special thanks to Jaret Della Porta, General Manager and CFHLA Board Member, for graciously hosting this meeting.
The meeting featured an informative presentation from Gina Ronokarijo, Vice President of Workforce Operations at CareerSource Central Florida, who shared valuable labor market insights and highlighted workforce development resources available to employers. Council Members learned about talent sourcing and recruitment support, paid work-based training opportunities, and incumbent worker training programs designed to help upskill current employees. We appreciate Gina sharing her time, expertise, and resources with our Council members and our partnership with CareerSource Central Florida.
CFHLA would also like to thank our 2026 Vacation Ownership Council Sponsors including:
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CFHLA Hosts First Housekeeping
Council Meeting of 2026
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Additionally, CFHLA hosted our first Housekeeping Council meeting of 2026 this week at Las Palmeras by Hilton Grand Vacations. This meeting was generously hosted by Ray Miller, General Manager and CFHLA Board Member, and led by the Housekeeping Council Chair Firat Yuregir, Sr. Director, Global Housekeeping Services, at Hilton Grand Vacations.
The meeting kicked off with an insightful presentation from Dean Cynthia Mejia of UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management, who shared an in-depth look at how technology can be leveraged to support front-line housekeeping employees. Her presentation also highlighted how innovative tools can help leaders better understand and improve the work environment, while also enhancing employee safety. We sincerely thank Dean Mejia for sharing her expertise and for UCF Rosen’s continued partnership with CFHLA.
The Housekeeping Council is open to Housekeeping Managers and Executives from CFHLA Lodging Member properties who are interested in advancing best practices, innovation, and professional development within the housekeeping department. The Council meets quarterly to collaborate, share insights, and address industry priorities. To learn more or get involved, please contact Melanie Anesh, Director of Industry Relations and Community Impact, at melanie.anesh@cfhla.org.
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2026 Leadership Reception Launches with Collaboration and Commitment
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Thank you to our 2026 CFHLA Board Chair Jon McGavin, Area General Manager of Grande Lakes Orlando, for hosting a wonderful welcome reception this week with our 2026 CFHLA Executive Committee and the CFHLA team.
Our Board leaders and CFHLA team are excited to work together and collaborate, as we serve and support our members throughout the year. Once again, thank you to The Ritz-Carlton Orlando team for their warm hospitality and for helping make this welcome reception such a wonderful evening!
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Orlando City/Orlando Pride Kickoff the 2026 Season
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Join us this weekend as our CFHLA partner Orlando City Soccer kicks off the 2026 season at their Home Opener tomorrow, Saturday, February 21 at Inter&Co Stadium. Thank you for inviting CFHLA, along with our tourism and hospitality partners to the Kickoff to Soccer Luncheon today presented by Orlando Health.
Let’s pack the house this weekend and show what our city is all about.
Don’t miss it. Be loud. Be proud. VAMOS ORLANDO!
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Hilton Orlando Celebrates Valentine's Day with
Palm Lake Elementary
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CFHLA is pleased to recognize Hilton Orlando for their continued partnership with Palm Lake Elementary School through our Adopt-A-School program. In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, the Hilton Orlando team made a special visit to the school to decorate festive cookies with the students, helping brighten their day and spread a little extra cheer. Thank you to Hilton Orlando for making this thoughtful visit possible. We appreciate the team’s generosity and commitment to supporting students and schools in our community!
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CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR
MEMBERS OF THE MONTH
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Please join us in congratulating Ray Miller, General Manager, Las Palmeras by Hilton Grand Vacations, on being recognized as our February Lodging Member of the Month. Over the past year, Ray has gone above and beyond – by demonstrating his leadership and service on the Vacation Ownership Council and continued participation at all of CFHLA’s signature events. Additionally, we are very excited to now have his wealth of knowledge and professional experience on our CFHLA Board of Directors.
We also proudly recognize Hailey Bladek, Communications & Marketing Coordinator, Greenery Productions, Inc., as our February Allied Member of the Month. Hailey's outstanding involvement as a 2025 VIP Member, active participation in numerous CFHLA signature events, and dedicated time on several CFHLA committees has supported many of CFHLA’s community-wide initiatives. These contributions reflect her strong commitment to strengthening Central Florida’s hospitality industry and the work of our association.
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Meet the VIP: NxtGen Advisory Group
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NxtGen Advisory is a financial services firm who help executives and business owners to design and implement solutions that bring them closer to their investment accumulation and net worth goals. We’re proud to support CFHLA and its essential work within the hospitality community.
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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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