As we celebrate Labor Day weekend, we’d like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all our tourism partners, hospitality professionals, and all of our CFHLA members who continue to make a meaningful difference and positive impact on our Central Florida community.

 

Here’s to looking back with pride on what we've achieved and forward with excitement. Wishing each of you a wonderful and restful Labor Day from all of us at the Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association!

 

Please note: The CFHLA Office will be closed on Monday, September 7, and will reopen on Tuesday, September 8.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. As we reflect on that day and the nearly 3,000 lives lost, we invite you to join us the Remember the Sky campaign, a commemorative initiative of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.

 

Inspired by the crystal-clear blue skies that stretched across much of the country that morning, the campaign uses a simple image to reconnect us with the memories, stories, and emotions of September 11.

 

Twenty-five years later, an entire generation has grown up without a personal memory of that day. Remember the Sky provides an opportunity to ensure the stories, lessons, and legacy of September 11 continue to be remembered and shared with future generations.

 

Join CFHLA on Friday, September 11, by sharing a photo of the sky on your social media channels. Please tag CFHLA and @911Memorial and include #CFHLA #NeverForget911 #RememberTheSky.

 

Together, we remember, we honor, and we never forget.

This week, CFHLA also hosted our second Seminole County Lodging Leadership Meeting of the year at the Hilton Orlando/Altamonte Springs. Thank you again to CFHLA Board Member and General Manager Jaclyn Lorigan, for graciously hosting the meeting!

 

The meeting featured an in-depth update from Seminole County Commissioner Amy Lockhart, District 4. Additionally, our lodging leaders received valuable updates from Gui Cunha and Danny Trosset of Orlando North Seminole County Tourism; Brent Nelson and Carter Gravitte of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission; and Faith Medlock from Seminole County Public Schools.

 

Lastly, CFHLA would like to thank our 2026 Seminole County Lodging Leadership meeting sponsors including:

Experience Kissimmee welcomed tourism and hospitality industry professionals this week for its Global Sales & Strategy Summit, bringing together partners and industry leaders to discuss opportunities for continued growth in domestic and international tourism.

 

The summit focused on collaboration, strategic partnerships, and the importance of connecting Central Florida with key travel markets around the world. Experience Kissimmee’s Global Sales team continues to play an important role in promoting the destination and creating opportunities for local hotels, attractions and tourism partners.

 

The summit also provided an opportunity for industry professionals to connect, share ideas and discuss the evolving travel landscape. As Central Florida remains one of the world’s leading tourism destinations, strong partnerships between destination marketing organizations, hotels and hospitality businesses continue to be essential to the region’s success.

Each year, in conjunction with the CFHLA Patriot Day Remembrance Breakfast, CFHLA hosts its Adopt-A-Station Program as a way for our allied and lodging members to show appreciation for the first responders who serve and protect our community every day.

 

CFHLA Members are invited to “adopt” a local fire or police station by providing breakfast, lunch, or dinner to the first responders at their selected station on Patriot Day, Friday, September 11.

 

CLICK HERE to view the list of available stations.

 

Once you select a station, please contact the individual listed on the spreadsheet directly to coordinate your meal delivery. The station contact will confirm the arrangements and let you know how many first responders you should plan to feed.

 

After confirming your station, please notify Kim Gordon at kim.gordon@cfhla.org so we can update our list and mark the station as adopted.

 

And don’t forget to take photos! Following your delivery, please send your photos to Kim so CFHLA can help share and celebrate your support of our first responders.

 

Together, we can make Patriot Day an opportunity to say thank you to those who serve our community every day.

The $462 million expansion will help Terminal C accommodate an estimated 10 to 12 million passengers annually. With nearly 58 million passengers traveling through MCO in 2025, the additional capacity is expected to help improve passenger flow throughout the airport, including at checkpoints, concessions, baggage claim, and other high-traffic areas.

 

For Central Florida’s hospitality industry, continued investments in MCO's infrastructure are critical to supporting future visitor growth and ensuring Orlando remains accessible and welcoming to travelers from around the world.

Hospitality Staffing Solutions 

is proud to support CFHLA as a Silver Partner because of its dedication to strengthening Central Florida’s hotel and lodging industry through advocacy, workforce development, and meaningful opportunities for vendors to connect with lodging members. HSS values CFHLA’s commitment to bringing industry professionals together and creating resources that support the continued growth of hospitality.

 

Hospitality Staffing Solutions is a trusted national staffing partner serving hotels, resorts, casinos, stadiums, and other hospitality and entertainment venues. With more than 30 years of experience and a broad network of talent across the United States, HSS connects motivated job seekers with career opportunities while helping employers meet their workforce needs. The company provides tailored staffing, recruitment, and workforce management solutions designed to help businesses operate efficiently, scale their teams, and deliver exceptional guest experiences. Through its industry expertise and commitment to service, HSS helps hospitality organizations build reliable, high-performing teams.

VivoAquatics is proud to support the CFHLA because the organization strengthens the hospitality industry through meaningful collaboration between hotel leaders and trusted partners. We’re especially inspired by CFHLA’s commitment to education, professional development, and mentoring the next generation of hospitality professionals.

 

As a 2026 Silver Partner, we’re honored to support an organization that promotes guest well-being, operational excellence, and higher standards of care across the industry.

 

VivoAquatics provides smart, connected technology that helps hospitality operators manage pools, spas, water features, and facility water conservation. Its integrated approach combines People, Platform, and Products to deliver safer, more efficient water management. The VivoPoint platform provides real-time visibility, smart monitoring, proactive alerts, and actionable insights, while professional services teams provide operational guidance and staff training. VivoShop offers chemical automation, pool products, and essential equipment.