PHOTO VIA DOWNTOWN ORLANDO PARTNERSHIP
PROMO: Late last year, Bungalower was invited to participate in a new program headed by the Downtown Orlando Partnership (Website), called Connect DTO.
The program is a six-month course that offers an in-depth look at what is happening in Downtown Orlando. The inaugural class is able to participate in a number of educational sessions and tours and engage in dialogue with upper-crust community leaders.
Topics include real estate, art and culture, sport and entertainment, lodging and dining, technology, and quality of life.
Connect DTO participants include regional business professionals and emerging leaders who have a demonstrated dedication to the area and who are passionate and curious about the growth of Downtown Orlando.
The 2017 class meets on the second Tuesday of each month, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at various Downtown venues and locations.
Click HERE to see a tentative program schedule.
We recently attended Session 2: DTO Sports and Entertainment, where we were given an update on the state of sports in the region and what to expect in the next few years. Presenters included:
- Allen Johnson, Executive Director of the Orlando Venues
- Jason Siegel, Interim President and CEO of Central Florida Sports Commission
- David Hanson, A.D/COO of UCF Athletics
- Charlie Freeman, COO at Orlando Magic
- Steve Hogan, CEO of Florida Citrus Sports
- Teresa Tatlonghari, Vice President, Marketing at Orlando City Soccer Club
Conversation spanned from the Tourist Development Tax to upcoming projects from each of the venues. Interesting projects and announcements included:
- Topgolf Crush coming to Camping World Stadium. More on that HERE.
- SunRail having Saturday service for March Madness. More on that HERE.
- Jimmy Buffett performing at the Amway Center this May. More on that HERE.
- Wrestlemania bringing an expected $150M impact to the Orlando area in April.
- Camping World Stadium looking to build out new executive suites at the cost of $25 M.
The March session will look at Quality of Life and will feature Dr. David Swanson, Senior Pastor of First Presbyterian Church and Paul Gloersen, Executive Director of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, among others.
