Event Registration: 
Exhibitor Booths (10’x10’): $1,300 
Lodging Attendance: Complimentary 
 
CLICK HERE for additional information and to register. For questions, please contact Kim Gordon at kim.gordon@cfhla.org.

CFHLA’s Vacation Ownership Council recently hosted students from nine (9) Orange County Public High Schools at eight (8) of their properties. During these site visits, students toured resorts, explored a variety of departments, received hands-on experiences, and engaged with industry professionals who shared insights on their careers within hospitality. These site visits also offered students a firsthand look at the diverse number of career paths available at vacation ownership properties.

 

Thank you to our CFHLA Members Cypress Pointe Hilton Vacation Club, Floridays Resort Orlando, Hilton Grand Vacations Club SeaWorld Orlando, Hilton Vacation Club Aqua Sol Orlando West, Hilton Vacation Club Grand Beach Orlando, Las Palmeras by Hilton Grand Vacations, Marriott’s Harbour Lake Resort, and Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa for hosting these informative and important student visits.

Also, thank you to the following schools who participated, including Colonial High School, Cypress Creek High School, Horizon High School, Lake Buena Vista High School, Oak Ridge High School, Olympia High School, OTC South, Wekiva High School, and Winter Park High School. 

 

If you are interested in hosting a future school site visit, please contact Melanie Anesh at melanie.anesh@cfhla.org.

The CFHLA Gives Online Auction is still open, and now is the perfect time to start bidding on an incredible selection of items! With more than 75 items available, including golf experiences, attraction tickets, luxury hotel stays, and more, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Don’t miss your chance to place your bids before the auction closes next Tuesday, April 21 at 9:00 PM. 

 

All proceeds directly support the CFHLA Gives Scholarship Program through the CFHLA Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to investing in the future leaders of our profession. This includes supporting student scholarships, employee/family member scholarships, and educational grants. For questions, please contact Madison Haller at madison.haller@cfhla.org.

This morning, all Lodging Members should have received an email concerning their nominated associates for the upcoming Distinguished Leaders in Hospitality Awards.
 
To ensure complete accuracy, please take a moment to review the spreadsheet linked below and confirm that CFHLA has received your nominations and that the spelling and category placement for each nominee are correct. The spreadsheet reflects the information received as of 9:00 a.m. this morning, Friday, April 17.

 

Please send any adjustments to Kim Gordon at kim.gordon@cfhla.org by next Thursday, April 23, 2026.

CFHLA would like to officially welcome Wendell Lesher as the new General Manager of the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate! 

 

With more than two decades of experience in luxury hospitality, Wendell has led operations at premier destinations across Hawaii and the mainland, including Hilton Waikoloa Village, Mauna Kea Resort, Fairmont Orchid, and Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. Most recently, Wendell served as the General Manager and Hotel Manager at Grand Wailea since 2021.

 

Wendell is known for his leadership in operations, food and beverage, and large-scale resort environments, consistently delivering exceptional guest experiences.

 

We are excited to welcome Wendell to our Central Florida hospitality community, and we look forward to seeing his continued success!

As part of CFHLA’s Adopt-A-School Program, this interactive experience gave students a unique, hands-on introduction to the hospitality industry. Throughout the morning, students rotated through various hotel departments, gaining firsthand insight into the many career paths available within hospitality.

 

A highlight of the day was the culinary experience, where participating students stepped into the kitchen to prepare lunch for their fellow classmates. Afterward, everyone gathered to enjoy the meal together, followed by a lively discussion where students shared their favorite parts of the day.

Through meaningful experiences like Camp Hyatt Career Day, Hyatt Regency Orlando continues to inspire the next generation, providing students with valuable exposure to the world of hospitality while strengthening their connection to future career opportunities.

CFHLA is proud to recognize our April Lodging Member of the Month, Sylvie Dervaux, General Manager at Disney's Boardwalk Resort. This recognition reflects her exceptional leadership, dedication, passion, and ongoing support demonstrated for CFHLA and the Central Florida Hospitality industry. Sylvie’s contributions have not gone unnoticed, as she has actively supported and participated in several CFHLA’s signature events and shown outstanding leadership through service on the CFHLA Board of Directors and several committees including the Hospitality Gala Committee. Additionally, her outstanding leadership as Vice Chair of the Scholarship Committee has been tremendous this year. With her support, we are going to have the opportunity to support a record-breaking number of local students this year who are interested in pursuing a career in hospitality and/or culinary and achieving the American Dream!

 

We are equally proud to recognize our April Allied Member of the Month, Brett Iacovone, General Manager for PCPI Services, Inc. Brett’s outstanding involvement as a new 2026 CFHLA VIP Member and kind generosity is much appreciated. We also thank him for providing our CFHLA office with a new refrigerator and his continued participation and sponsorship of so many annual CFHLA signature events! Plus, his service on our CFHLA committees and ongoing support of our community-wide initiatives has been of tremendous help to the association and to the broader Central Florida Hospitality Industry.

 

It is through these positive contributions and continued partnership that we are eager to recognize both of them this month!

Why I support CFHLA / Initiative that matters most: 
GSI supports CFHLA because of its strong commitment to strengthening the hospitality community through advocacy, education, and service. Participating in initiatives like Adopt-A-School and serving on the Scholarship Committee are especially meaningful to GSI, as they directly support students and help develop the next generation of hospitality leaders.

 

Company snapshot: 
GSI specializes in branded promotional products, apparel, and custom solutions that help hospitality partners elevate their guest experience and brand presence. We pride ourselves on creative problem-solving, dependable service, and building long-term relationships with our clients.