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September 19, 2025

CFHLA Thanks Our Back of the House Sponsors

 

Osceola County Leaders Share Perspectives at Allied Relations Council Breakfast 

On Tuesday, September 16, we were proud to host our most recent Allied Relations Council Breakfast at the Sheraton Orlando Lake Buena Vista Resort. In addition to valuable networking, more than 100 members heard from a panel of General Managers from Osceola County. Each of these panelists also serve on the CFHLA Board of Directors and they included:  

Stacey Herndon,

Regional Director of Resort Operations, Westgate Resorts

 

Marie Cassamajor,

General Manager, Holiday Inn Resort Kissimmee by the Parks

 

Wade Michael,

General Manager, Staybridge Suites Orlando Royale Parc Suites

 

Steven Hollis,

Resort Manager, Vacation Villas at FantasyWorld Resort 

Additionally, CFHLA would like to thank the 2025 Allied Relations Council Breakfast Sponsor, CEC Entertainment, and our AV partner - AVmedia Inc. - for their support of "Members Doing Business With Members."

 

CFHLA Celebrates International Housekeepers Week 

This week, CFHLA was proud to spotlight so many incredible housekeeping professionals- including several who were nominated for a CFHLA Golden Pineapple Award earlier this year- throughout International Housekeeping Week. 

 

Please join us in recognizing our amazing and dedicated Housekeeping Team Members, who continue to work tirelessly to keep our properties and businesses clean, safe, and memorable across the Central Florida hospitality industry!

 

These are truly the unsung heroes of our community and we are extremely grateful for each of these hardworking men and women, as they deserve our recognition for their incredible efforts.

 

Housekeepers: Through & Through We Can Always Depend On You, Housekeepers: You Make Every Moment A Chance to Shine!

 

Moving foward, CFHLA will continue to elevate their stories, empower growth, and showcase our dedicated industry professionals who continue to create wonderful guest experiences each and every day.

 

CFHLA Strengthens Partnership with Colonial High School 

This week, our Director of Industry Relations and Community Impact Melanie Anesh met with State Representative Johanna Lopez, District 43, Martha Chang, Principal Leader, Cadre 1, OCPS, and Betzabeth Reussow, Principal, Colonial High School to explore new ways to strengthen our partnership with the high school through the Adopt-A-School Program, High School Outreach, future scholarships, and mentorship opportunities with our CFHLA members.

 

These discussions highlighted our shared commitment to supporting our local students and preparing them for future careers within the hospitality and tourism industry.

We look forward to continuing to grow and expand this partnership with Colonial High School and their students, so they can learn, connect, and thrive in our industry.

 

CFHLA Board Leaders Selected for OEP Public Leadership Institute 

Exciting news - both Ally Martin, General Manager of the Hyatt House Orlando Airport and CFHLA Board Treasurer, and Marie Cassamajor, General Manager of the Holiday Inn Resort Kissimmee by the Parks and CFHLA Board Member, have been selected to participate in the Orlando Economic Partnership’s (OEP) Public Leadership Institute (PLI) – Civic Track this fall.

This unique, nonpartisan training program is designed to prepare Central Florida’s business-minded professionals to serve as future elected officials or public policy influencers. The Civic Leadership Track specifically supports business and community leaders who want to advocate for policies that strengthen our region without seeking elected office. 

 

We are proud to celebrate Ally and Marie’s leadership and look forward to the positive impact they will continue to make in our community!

 

PIA – Embassy Suites LBV Delivers Back-to-School Supplies 

As part of CFHLA’s Adopt-A-School program, the team from Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista South recently delivered a generous Back-to-School supply donation to their partner school, Westside K-8.

Loren Burns, Senior Human Resources Manager, and Alyssa, HR Coordinator, dropped off eight boxes of much-needed classroom supplies to help teachers and students start the year strong.

 

Thank you to the Embassy Suites team for your continued partnership and commitment to supporting our local schools through the Adopt-A-School program!

 

A Hauntedly Productive Committee Meeting 🎃 

A huge thank you to our CFHLA Board Member, Frank Dolley, General Manager of Coco Key Resort & Water Park for hosting yesterday’s Halloween Golf Open Committee meeting! Frank and his team set the stage with festive decorations, themed bites, and spooky drinks that put everyone in the Halloween spirit.

The committee had a productive meeting and brainstormed some fantastic ideas for this year’s Halloween Golf Open and future golf outings. We know this year’s golf open is going to be spook-tactular on October 30, 2025!

 

Honoring Women in Sports with the Greater Orlando Sports Commission 

The CFHLA team and members of the Board of Directors were proud to attend the 7th Annual Celebrating Women in Sports Luncheon this week at UCF’s Addition Financial Arena.

Hosted by CFHLA member Greater Orlando Sports Commissionthe event honored community leaders during the award ceremony and featured a fireside chat with Misty May-Treanor. With three Olympic Gold Medals (Athens ’04, Beijing ’08, London ’12) and 109 career tournament victories, Misty is widely considered the greatest beach volleyball player in the history of the sport.

CFHLA is proud to support community wide events such as this one, that uplifts and recognizes the achievements of women making an impact both locally and globally!

 

CFHLA Supports Valencia College Foundation’s Red, Black & Boundless Gala 

We were also proud to support CFHLA member Valencia College at their Foundation's Red, Black, and Boundless Gala this last weekend. 

The evening celebrated Valencia College’s incredible impact within our region and highlighted the achievements of its students and alumni. With over 200,000 alumni and an annual enrollment of nearly 70,000 students, the college continues to be a driving force for our regional success and helping to build our industry's workforce.
 
We thank Valencia College President Dr. Kathleen Plinske, Carlee Thomas, and Foundation Board Chair Sheri Torres for their leadership, hospitality and partnership as we continue working together to support the future of hospitality and culinary education in Central Florida!
 
 

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR

MEMBERS OF THE MONTH

Meet our September Members of the Month

Firat Yuregir  

Hilton Grand Vacations

Gabriel Parra 

Tiger Roofing

To nominate a future CFHLA Allied and/or Lodging Member of the Month, please CLICK HERE.

 

MEET THE SILVER PARTNER MEMBER

Waste Connections provides solid waste collection, recycling and disposal services to commercial, residential and industrial customers.

 

JOB OPENINGS

Check out the latest hospitality employment opportunities in Central Florida.

 

IN THE NEWS

 

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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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