"JMA Ventures and Machete Group are simply the best of the best. We are thrilled to have them take the reins and guide the sports and entertainment district into something Orlando will be proud to have in the heart of downtown."

-Alex Martins 

CEO, Orlando Magic



Around The Horn.

• The Orlando Magic’s long-awaited $500 million sports and entertainment complex across from the Amway Center downtown has a development team and an anticipated start date in 2024. The project is slated to include a 260-room full-service hotel with 16,000 square feet of meeting and conference space, 270 residential units, 200,000 square feet of Class A office space, 125,000 square feet of retail, a 3,500-capacity live event venue, an urban town square, and 1,100+ parking spaces.
• Osceola Heritage Park is celebrating 20 years of events and experiences in Central Florida this year. What began as a little-known venue that hosted rodeos, the county fair, tradeshows, and a handful of other events, has grown into one of the most unique entertainment and sports complexes in the Southeast U.S., drawing more than 750,000 annual visitors.
• Addition Financial Arena has been announced as the home venue for Orlando’s new Pro Volleyball Team, the Orlando Valkyries. The Valkyries will begin play during the inaugural Pro Volleyball Federation season in January. The collaboration between the Orlando Valkyries and Addition Financial Arena marks a significant step forward for the sport of volleyball in the region.
• After twice grabbing a two-goal lead, Orlando City continued to build momentum heading into the MLS playoffs by defeating the New England Revolution, 3-2 at Exploria Stadium. Orlando scored first in the 31st minute after defender Dagur Dan Thorhallsson delivered an excellent cross that rookie sensation Duncan McGuire headed past New England's goalkeeper.
• The final day of competition of the 2023 IWWF World Waterski Championships in Lake County, Florida brought lots of excitement to waterski fans at the event venue and at home all around the world watching the live stream. In Women’s Jump, Hanna STRALTSOVA (USA) won the gold medal with a jump of 55.9 meters.
• On Saturday, UCF QB John Rhys Plumlee is scheduled to return to the starting lineup at No. 6 Oklahoma (6-0, 3-0 Big 12) at noon on ABC’s national broadcast. Coach Gus Malzahn confirmed the news, stating that he believes Plumlee is nearly 100% heading into the showdown with the Sooners and doesn’t expect any issues.
• A healthy offensive line made all the difference for Sanford Seminole during a high-scoring home win over rival DeLand. The ‘Noles (6-2), ranked No. 3 in the Sentinel Super 16 high school football rankings, averaged 10.8 rush yards per carry last week while going for 283 yards and five touchdowns on the ground en route to a 49-42 win.
• Winter Park-based pool-playing team, the Party Animals, just won big at the 2023 APA World 8-Ball Championship in Las Vegas. The Party Animals were one of 730 teams to qualify for the tournament and took home $30,000 of prize money for their first place finish.

Be a part of the magic of the 2023 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend! As a volunteer, you’d be supporting the runDisney® athletes and the presence of Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida at Walt Disney World® Resort on the racecourse and at the finish area. Reach out to celebratedcharityvolulnteer@disneysports.com for more information!

In The News.

• Thanks to a nationwide program funded by a Walmart heir, the Orlando Museum of Art will offer free admission one day each month, beginning in January. The museum announced that it is one of 64 museums across the country to participate in a three-year, $40 million pilot program called Access for All. The goal of the initiative, funded by Walmart heir Alice Walton’s Arkansas-based Art Bridges foundation, is to boost attendance at museums by increasing accessibility to the arts for those with limited means.
• An unexpected pregnancy is making history at SeaWorld Orlando. Three smalltooth sawfish pups, born this summer at the theme park, are now living backstage and providing data and mystery. SeaWorld’s aquarium is the only one in the U.S. to house the endangered species and the second one in the world to host a successful birth.
• “Fantasmic” just reached the 25th anniversary of its debut as the nighttime spectacular at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It’s a landmark rarely reached at Walt Disney World.
• A Coral Springs-based company is ready to make a splash in west Orange County with plans to build a surf park at a soon-to-close landfill on Avalon Road. The developers behind the project say the public venue would include a 15-acre pool capable of creating waves as high as 10 feet. Plans also call for a restaurant and shops for the 44-acre project that’s envisioned to drive professional and collegiate surfing competitions to a spot about 60 miles from the nearest beach.
• Expect more park hopping earlier in the day in 2024. Walt Disney World again plans to loosen up rules around moving between its four theme parks. Beginning Jan. 9, visitors who pay to add park-hopping powers to their tickets and Disney World annual passholders will no longer have to wait until 2 p.m. to visit a second park.
• Orange County commissioners approved a special purpose district around Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe that could provide lofty benefits beyond the millions of tourists the theme park will likely attract. The board’s unanimous vote created a limited-power area, known as the Shingle Creek Transit & Utility Community Development District, expected to provide $174 million for infrastructure, including a commuter rail line linking Orlando International Airport and the International Drive tourist corridor.
• Bad Bunny announced his upcoming "Most Wanted Tour," with six dates scheduled across Florida, including Orlando's Amway Center. 

Congratulations to GO Sports' Senior Director of Marketing Communications & Special Events, Kyle Sturley, on her appointment as Chairman of the Downtown Arts District.

Stay Engaged.

• Country Thunder is coming back on October 20-22, 2023! Keith Urban, Hardy and Cody Johnson headline three days of non-stop music and fun! Check out the full lineup here!
• Orlando Science Center is planning a string of Halloween-oriented events for three distinctive audiences. On Oct. 21, it’s Science Night Dead, the Halloween version of the adults-only Science Night Live. Then on Oct. 28, it’s Kids Night at the Museum, also with spooky programming. In between, on Oct. 25, is OSC After Dark, a midweek Halloween party for young professionals that supports the Science for All Fund.
• The Mennello Museum of American Art will host its ninth annual Indie-Folkfest, from noon-5 p.m. Saturday, October 28 in its sculpture gardens at 900 E. Princeton Street. Indie-Folkfest is the Mennello Museum’s signature outdoor event and features local, regional, and national art, music, and cuisine, on the shores of Lake Formosa.
• Join the Cure Bowl team on Sunday, October 29 for the 15th Annual Strikeout Breast Cancer bowling event. Support the cause of bringing teams together to find a cure for cancer by purchasing a lane! The event will be hosted at Boardwalk Bowl and feature a fun day of bowling, a pizza lunch, drinks, and silent auction.
• In partnership with AdventHealth, the City District Main Street is launching Orlando’s first adult Downtown Orlando Field Day on Thursday, Nov. 2. This classic event will feature old school competitions with an intentional local flair. The City District Main Street, alongside title sponsor AdventHealth, Red Lobster, City Beverage, Orlando Utilities Commission and community partners including, the Downtown Development Board.
• The Festival of Trees, Nov. 11-19, presented by the Council of 101 kicks off the holiday season with dozens of designer-inspired decorated trees at Orlando Museum of Art. This year’s theme is “Enchanted Holidays,” with special events including breakfast with Santa, an ugly sweater day and a Reindeer Romp party.
• Legoland Florida is introducing a seasonal pass that allows unlimited admission to the Winter Haven theme park through Christmas Day. The Monster-to-Merry Season Ticket is now on sale for $119 per person. It covers a time period that includes Legoland’s Brick or Treat Halloween festivities, which launch Saturday, and its holiday celebration, which begins Nov. 24, the day after Thanksgiving.
• SeaWorld Orlando is again offering an extended Fun Card deal. Buyers now get unlimited visits to the theme park for the rest of 2023 and all of 2024. The price is $131.99. A version also includes admission to the Aquatica water park through the end of 2024, and it sells for $189.99.
• Florida Residents can save up to $65 on select multi-day tickets at Universal Orlando theme parks when buying online. Click here for current offers.
• Florida residents can save big while visiting Walt Disney World Resort theme parks. Click here to view the current list of special offers.

In The Community.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel and Senior VP Brent Nelson attended the LEADERS conference in London this week, pictured with board member Matt Chmura (LPGA) and Liese Abili (Florida Sports Foundation).



Congratulations to GO Sports Executive VP Jennifer Lastik, who received Orlando Business Journal's C-Suite Award today! She was joined by GO Sports Senior Directors Kyle Sturley and Lindsey McBride, Coordinator Elizabeth Caldarelli, and community partners Lisa Curran (Duke Engergy), Brandi Markiewicz (CI Group), Anne-Marie Hayward (Orlando Business Journal), Melanie DiVirgilio (Seacost Bank) and Bridget Keefe (UCF).

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel moderated a panel at this week's MetaCenter Global Conference, pictured here with board member Adrianna Sekula (Solidarity Partners), William Dymond Jr. (Lowndes), Jo Newell (Monday Stategies), and GO Sports' Senior Director Kyle Sturley.

Members of the GO Sports team hosted many board members and corporate partners at the Orlando Magic's first home preseason game earlier this week.

GO Sports Executive VP Jennifer Lastik received Orlando Business Journal's C-Suite Award today, along with board member and fellow C-Suite Award winner Robb Larson (Osceola Heritage Park) and board member Caesar Lopez (Orlando City SC/Orlando Pride).

GO Sports Executive VP Jennifer Lastik received Orlando Business Journal's C-Suite Award today, pictured with board member Latria Graham (GLB Media Group), who gave the keynote address at the event.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel and Senior VP Brent Nelson attended the LEADERS conference in London this week, pictured with Heidi Pellerano, Chief Commercial Officer at CONCACAF.



GO Sports CFO Gary Cohen managed the LifeBoat Project's annual fall poker tournament, which raised funds for the organization's mission to support human trafficking survivors.

New Corporate Partner.

For more information, visit their page on LinkedIn

Thank you for supporting sports tourism in Greater Orlando!

Fun & Games.



• Disney Eats: Foodie Guide to Brand-New Disney Jollywood Nights
• 15 new restaurants just announced for Orlando