City of Orlando

The nation’s top sports destination continues to get big events. The NCAA has announced that Orlando has been selected to host the first and second rounds of the 2028 Men’s Basketball Championship. We’re already excited that March Madness is returning to Kia Center. We’ve had the opportunity to host the event multiple times, most recently in 2023. March Madness brings fans from around the country to our region and puts the national spotlight on our community. The NCAA also announced this week that the USTA National Campus in Lake Nona will host the 2027 Division I Men’s and Women’s Tennis Singles and Doubles Championships and the 2028 Division I Men’s and Women’s Tennis Championships.

As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the City of Orlando's Minority Business Enterprises Division (MBED), we're shining a light on one of the success stories behind our most impactful program - the Minority Women and Business Enterprises (MWBE) program. This initiative ensures equal contracting opportunities for incredible businesses like Mims Construction, led by owner Lynn Mims. Founded 35 years ago, Mims Construction is now one of Florida's leading construction firms. In the early 2000’s, Lynn attended community meetings in anticipation of the launch of the City of Orlando’s new MWBE certification program. More than a decade later, Mims Construction remains certified and has contributed significantly to Orlando's growth, completing projects in education, airports, and infrastructure. Mims Construction also offers in-house apprenticeship and job training programs, providing opportunities for individuals with a criminal history. Lynn's success is a testament to the effectiveness of the MWBE program and the resilience of women entrepreneurs, including the more than 500 businesses that have been empowered by this initiative. To learn more about the program, visit orlando.gov/MWBE.

Orlando came together for National Night Out 2024, where our residents, Orlando Police Department, and firefighters stood united in the fight against crime. National Night Out (NNO) is America’s night to give crime and drugs a going away party, and through strong partnerships and Neighborhood Watch programs, we’re building a safer city—one neighborhood at a time. We are proud to support and help bridge the gap between law enforcement and our community. A big thank you to all who came out and to our dedicated public safety teams for making this possible. Ready to take action? Visit https://lnkd.in/eB4Yrvex to start your group today.

🎉 Celebrating the Future at the Downtown Recreation Center 🎉 Last month, we marked the completion of significant renovations at the Downtown Recreation Center, now fully revamped to serve young adults in Parramore. This upgraded space is the city's first center dedicated solely to young adults, designed to be a welcoming hub for 14-19-year-olds. It offers programs focused on mental health, financial literacy, and career guidance. We’re also proud to spotlight Sasha Mills, an inspiring alum of our Parramore Kidz Zone. Sasha has come full circle, now serving as a lead student advocate at the renovated center. Her journey reflects the impact of our programs, and she is dedicated to helping young adults in her community access the same opportunities that shaped her success. With Sasha’s leadership and the new resources at the Downtown Orlando Rec, we’re excited to empower the next generation of young adults in Parramore!

Want to give back and shape the future of our city? Join us for Boards & Brews!

Another big sporting event is coming to Orlando. Next summer, both Camping World Stadium and Inter&Co Stadium in downtown will host FIFA Club World Cup matches. Recently named the nation’s No. 1 city for hosting events by Sports Business Journal, The City Beautiful continues to thrive as a host for premier competition, including flagship soccer events on both the club and national team levels. Notably, Orlando will be the only 2025 FIFA Club World Cup host city with tournament matches in multiple venues. The competition will be the largest stand-alone global club football event staged in the United States and globally, with the best 32 clubs from all over the world participating. The tournament kicks off on June 15, 2025. Events like these bring even more visitors from around the state, country and world to Orlando. They also allow our community to showcase its vibrancy and commitment to inclusion.

A huge thank you to our city teams for their hard work and commitment to public safety. We’re getting ready—you should too! The City of Orlando crews are going above and beyond to ensure our community is prepared for Hurricane Helene. While the storm's path is uncertain, we're getting ready for its potential impacts. Make sure you’re ready too—assemble disaster kits, stock up on supplies, and review your plans. Get all the info you need on sandbag distribution, city closures, garbage pick-up, reporting flooding, and more. at orlando.gov/storm. Stay prepared and stay safe!

We're Hiring Event Staff! Ready to be part of the action at Kia Center and Camping World Stadium? We're looking for passionate individuals to join our team for concerts, family shows and sporting events.

Cool job alert for those interested in clean energy 👀

Celebrating Meaningful Mentorships! Meet Elliot Cohen, one of our My Brother’s Keeper Student Advocates who supports at-risk young men in city schools. Every day, Elliot works tirelessly to improve his students' lives, helping them avoid failing classes, getting into trouble, or missing school. He often works early mornings and late nights, calling to check on families and driving youth to activities. Since he started at Roberto Clemente Middle School, referrals have decreased by 20% and suspensions and expulsions have dropped by 42%. On September 15, Mr. Elliot was honored with his school’s inaugural service award. This day was established by Major League Baseball to commemorate Clemente, a revered Hall of Famer. Principal Andrew Agudo praised Elliot, saying, “He consistently goes above and beyond to assist families most in need, volunteering his own time to enhance community involvement and support our students before, during, and after school.” We are grateful for Elliot’s remarkable impact and dedication to championing our youth.