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August 21, 2026 |
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Thank You to Our Back of the House Sponsors |
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ARC Bowling Bash Benefits Adopt-A School Partners |
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For more than a decade, the Allied Relations Council's annual Bowling Bash has brought our CFHLA members together for an evening of friendly competition, camaraderie, and, most importantly, a shared commitment to giving back.
This week, that tradition continued as more than 200 CFHLA members gathered at Boardwalk Bowl Entertainment Center for the 14th Annual ARC Bowling Bash fundraiser. Together, this record-setting fundraiser was a huge success as proceeds benefitted the CFHLA Foundation and the ARC's Adopt-A-School partners at Lockhart Elementary School, Lockhart Middle School, and Wekiva High School.
Thank you to everyone who came together to make this year's ARC Bowling Bash another memorable celebration of the generosity and community spirit that make CFHLA so special. |
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CFHLA Security & Safety Council Recognizes Sabri Akim of Evermore Orlando Resort |
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Creating a safe and welcoming environment takes more than policies and procedures, it takes strong leadership, preparation, and a genuine commitment to the people you serve. That is why the CFHLA Security & Safety Council was proud to recognize Sabri Akim, Assistant Director of Safety & Security at Evermore Orlando Resort, as the recipient of the CFHLA Security & Safety Council Quarterly Service Award.
With more than 15 years of hospitality safety and security experience, Sabri has continued to demonstrate exceptional leadership, proactive risk management, and an unwavering commitment to service. Since joining Evermore during its development, Sabri has helped build and advance the security operations across the resort's 1,500-acre property and maintain guest satisfaction scores in the mid-90% range, when asked about their safety and security on property.
Additionally, through mentorship, training, and strong partnerships with all public safety agencies, Sabri has helped foster a culture of preparedness while ensuring guests and team members feel safe and supported.
Congratulations again to Sabri on this well-deserved recognition, and thank you for your leadership and dedication to Central Florida's hospitality industry! |
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UCF Football Kicks Off the Season at Addition Financial Arena |
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The excitement for another UCF Football season officially kicked off as the Knights hosted their annual Countdown to Kickoff Luncheon at Addition Financial Arena. The event brought together UCF Athletics leadership, coaches, student-athletes, alumni, fans, and community supporters to celebrate the upcoming season and hear from Head Coach Scott Frost and members of the 2026 UCF Football team. This year’s luncheon also commemorated the 20th anniversary of the Bounce House, making it an especially exciting opportunity to celebrate the past, present, and future of UCF Football. |
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CFHLA Halloween Golf Registration Opens Next Week |
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CFHLA is excited to announce that this year’s Halloween Golf Open will take place on Thursday, October 29, at Mission Resort + Club (thank you, Cindy Staley, General Manager)!
Mark your calendar for these important registration dates: VIP Members: Wednesday, August 26 at 8:00am Silver Partners: Wednesday, August 26 at 1:00pm All Allied Members: Thursday, August 27 at 9:00am CLICK HERE to view sponsorship opportunities.
Golfer Registration: Silver Partners: Wednesday, September 2 at 1:00pm All Allied & Lodging Members: Thursday, September 3 at 9:00am $375 / Golfer or $1,500 / Golf Foursome Registration includes a round of golf, breakfast, lunch, and plenty of food and beverages, both alcoholic & non-alcoholic, served throughout the course by our spook-tacular hole sponsors. |
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Register Now: Patriot Day Remembrance Breakfast |
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Registration is now open for our Patriot Day Remembrance Breakfast, taking place on Friday, September 11, 2026.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, 2001. During this year’s event, CFHLA will pay tribute to our local law enforcement, fire rescue, EMS, and hospitality security personnel who have gone above and beyond in the line of duty. The program will feature WESH 2 News Anchor Nancy Alvarez as the Event Emcee and former NYPD Detective Milton Rosario as the keynote speaker. Additionally, Orange County Sheriff John Mina will serve as the Honorary Event Chair.
*Please consider donating a seat/table for our local first responders.*
Secure your spot today and join us as we remember, honor, and recognize those who serve and protect our community. |
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Greenery Productions Produces and Installs New Entrance Wall at CFHLA Office |
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A special thank you to Matt Grier, Linda, Mickey and the entire team at Greenery Productions for producing and installing our beautiful new CFHLA office entrance wall this week! We truly appreciate your longstanding support of CFHLA and your commitment to helping us enhance our new home. Thank you again to Matt and Linda, for being such a valued CFHLA partner and we encourage all CFHLA members to "take a selfie" in front of the greenery wall, the next time you stop by the CFHLA office! |
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Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista South Supports Student Success at Westside K-8 |
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As students and teachers prepared for the start of a new school year, Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista South stepped up to help its Adopt-A-School partner, Westside K-8, begin the year with the supplies needed for success.
Through the support of its associates and a shared commitment to giving back, Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista South continues to make a meaningful difference for the students, teachers, and school community at Westside K-8 through CFHLA's Adopt-A-School Program. |
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CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR AUGUST MEMBERS OF THE MONTH |
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CFHLA is thrilled to recognize Martin Bonventre of Rosen Shingle Creek as our August Lodging Member of the Month! Martin's partnership and support of CFHLA has been nothing short of exceptional. Over the past two years, he has demonstrated outstanding leadership through his service on the CFHLA Board of Directors and the Membership Committee, while graciously hosting numerous meetings and signature events, including the 2026 CFHLA Hospitality Tradeshow earlier this month.
Martin has also been a familiar face at many other CFHLA events, consistently taking the time to connect with fellow members, support our mission, and strengthen our hospitality community. We are truly grateful for his leadership, partnership, and unwavering support, and we are proud to recognize him for his outstanding contributions to CFHLA and the Central Florida hospitality industry!
Additionally, CFHLA is also honored to recognize David Saczawa of JR Hobbs Co. as our August Allied Member of the Month! We are incredibly grateful for David's outstanding involvement as a new VIP Member of CFHLA and for his continued participation in our signature events. David is a dedicated supporter of our association and the Central Florida hospitality industry, consistently attending events, actively participating in our programs, and enthusiastically engaging with fellow members.
David's commitment to building relationships, supporting our mission, and investing his time and expertise in CFHLA has made a meaningful impact. We sincerely appreciate his continued involvement, enthusiasm, and partnership, and we are proud to recognize him as our August Allied Member of the Month. |
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Meet Our Silver Partners: Evolution Parking & Guest Services & Commercial Products Corporation |
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Evolution Parking & Guest Services is a hotel-focused parking and guest services company built on genuine partnerships with hotel owners and operators. We create value through exceptional service, profit maximization, and solutions tailored to each property’s operating model and guest mix. From fully staffed valet operations at full-service hotels and resorts to unmanned self-parking technology for select-service properties, we help hotels creatively increase revenue per available room—often without requiring capital investment.
We support CFHLA because it makes our industry stronger by creating meaningful collaboration between vendors and hoteliers that feels natural and valuable. We are especially passionate about CFHLA’s educational seminars and commitment to mentoring the next generation of hospitality professionals. Creating opportunities to learn, share experiences, and develop future leaders is critical to the long-term success of our industry, and CFHLA continues to make a meaningful impact in these areas. |
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Commercial Products is a family-owned and operated company that has provided reliable, innovative, and cost-effective HVAC and plumbing solutions throughout the Southeastern United States since 1972.
Our expertise centers on water-side systems, including steam and hydronic boilers, condenser, chilled and hot water pumps, cooling towers, hydronic specialties, potable water heaters, booster systems, and mixing valves.
With more than 100 years of combined industry experience, our team works closely with design engineers, contractors, and commercial building owners to support the planning, implementation, and maintenance of efficient water-side systems.
Commercial Products also offers 24/7 service and preventive maintenance support, ensuring customers have a trusted partner throughout the entire lifecycle of their systems—from initial planning and installation to ongoing service and support. |
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JOB OPENINGS |
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Check out the latest hospitality employment opportunities in Central Florida. |
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CONNECT WITH CFHLA |
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About CFHLA
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. |