Orange County Public Schools 16th Annual Culinary Competition
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This week, CFHLA was proud to once again sponsor the Orange County Public School's 16th Annual Culinary Competition. This year's competition featured over 190 talented student competitors, representing 12 different high schools. Thank you to the 50+ professional Chef Judges who took the time to help support these students by tasting the culinary creations, evaluating their presentations, and weighing in on who created the best culinary delights. Congratulations again to all the students who participated!
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Also, we'd like to thank the Orange County Convention Center for being an amazing host, and all of the industry professionals who helped contribute to another successful student competition. This important culinary competition is just another example of how our industry is collaborating with our local schools, to prepare our students for the bright future careers of tomorrow, within the culinary and hospitality industry.
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CFHLA PAC/PC Elects 2026 Board Members and Executive Committee
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This week, the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association’s (CFHLA) Political Action Committee (PAC) and Political Committee (PC) Board announced its newly elected and appointed 2026 Board of Directors, which includes Central Florida Hospitality Executives from across the Central Florida region.
The CFHLA PAC and CFHLA PC are bi-partisan committees that protect the interests of the hospitality and tourism industry, by educating and mobilizing our members to become more politically active on the issues that matter to our professionals, as well as supporting candidates who are pro-tourism and pro-hospitality.
Please join us in congratulating the eighteen members who were recently elected and/or appointed who will serve on the 2026 CFHLA PAC and PC Board of Directors. We look forward to working with each of these hospitality leaders throughout 2026 and beyond to advocate for CFHLA’s initiatives and our entire Central Florida Hospitality Industry.
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2026 CFHLA Student and Employee/Family Member Scholarship Applications Now Open
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The CFHLA Foundation is now accepting applications for this year's Hospitality and Culinary Student Scholarships and for Employee and Family Member Scholarships.
Additionally, the CFHLA Foundation is proud to announce a brand-new scholarship specifically for Team Members and Family Members pursing a degree in Nursing!
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Here are the Nursing Scholarship Eligibility Requirements:
- Employee and/or Immediate Family member of a Full-Time / Hourly / Non-Management Employees
- Minimum GPA of 3.0
- Attending an accredited Central Florida Nursing Program
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The deadline to submit your applications for this year's scholarships is May 1, 2026, and we look forward to supporting the continued investment and advancement of the next generation of hospitality professionals!
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2026 CFHLA Sponsorship Opportunities
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CFHLA still has a variety of sponsorship opportunities available including five (5) remaining for the upcoming annual Golden Pineapple Awards Dinner, scheduled for Thursday, February 12, at the Orlando World Center Marriott.
With more than 1,000 lodging professionals in attendance, the Golden Pineapple Awards is wonderful opportunity to celebrate and honor the front-line and hourly employees who make our industry shine every day. This program recognizes excellence across 13 award categories, with 13 winners selected and more than 300 nominees celebrated on stage. One of the most memorable moments of the evening is watching nominees proceed down the aisle, by category, as their peers and leaders cheer them on.
This year, the sponsorship is $2,300 and includes the following benefits:
- Sponsorship of one award category (category assigned by CFHLA)
- Opportunity to assist with walking nominees in your assigned category down the aisle to the stage during the program
- Award category signage featuring your company logo and recognition from the podium
- Logo recognition on the event invitation, CFHLA website, printed program, and on-screen presentation
- Two (2) seats at the Golden Pineapple Awards Dinner
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Additionally, CFHLA has several February publication sponsorships available, including the Back of the House Newsletter and the CFHLA Explore & Engage events newsletter. See the full list below and click on the flyer to explore the sponsorship opportunities!
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Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando Supports Westside K-8 Families
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CFHLA is proud to recognize Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista South for their generosity and continued partnership with Westside K-8 through our Adopt-A-School program. Just in time for the holiday season, the Embassy Suites team dropped off 24 gift bags, each containing a game and gift card, for children in the school’s “Families in Need” program. Their support highlights the importance of giving back and strengthening our community. Thank you to Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista South for making a positive impact and helping create a brighter holiday for the families of Westside K-8!
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CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR
MEMBERS OF THE MONTH
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Bruce McDonald, General Manager, Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport, has gone above and beyond in service to CFHLA over the past several years. He has served on the CFHLA Board of Directors, helped launch the CFHLA Leadership Mentoring Program, and most recently joined the CFHLA PAC/PC Board of Directors. We also greatly appreciate his leadership as Chair of the Patriot Day Remembrance Breakfast Committee for the past five years, helping make this signature CFHLA event a continued success.
We also proudly recognize Taine Dagostino, Project Development Manager, Carr Company, for her outstanding involvement as a 2025 VIP Member. Throughout the year, Taine has been an active participant in numerous CFHLA signature events, dedicated her time and talents on several CFHLA committees, and 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: Tecta America Southeast, LLC
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Tecta proudly supports CFHLA and their initiatives, as they champion a wide range of local causes. The individuals within the organization are genuinely warm and inviting, and the networking opportunities - coupled with the numerous avenues to serve the community - are absolutely remarkable.
We are a locally operated, full-scale commercial roofing company proudly serving North, Central, and West Florida. Our wide range of services encompasses re-roofing, repairs, coatings, waterproofing, maintenance, and beyond. With a strong focus on safety, we combine national resources with a personalized touch.
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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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