Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association

08/21/2026

08/21/2026

Thank you to the more than 1,000 Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association members and hospitality professionals from across Florida who joined us at the 2026 CFHLA Hospitality Tradeshow!🌺

With 200+ exhibitors, our Allied Members had the opportunity to connect with hospitality leaders and decision-makers, by sharing their products, services, and innovative solutions that help strengthen our industry. This is what Members Doing Business with Members is all about.

A special thank you to Martin Bonventre, General Manager, and the entire team at Rosen Shingle Creek for their outstanding hospitality and partnership in hosting this year’s event.

We were also thrilled to showcase the culinary talent of six outstanding member properties during our Ultimate Chef Competition, sponsored by Hospitality Staffing Solutions. Thank you again to our competitors, including:

🍍Cypress Cove Nudist Resort
🍍Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace - Disney Springs Area
🍍Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort Four Flamingos
🍍Paramount Hospitality Management™
🍍Sheraton Vistana Resort
🍍Westgate Resorts

We are also incredibly grateful of our Tradeshow sponsors and partners who helped make this record-setting event possible including:

🍍Align Business Advisory Services
🍍Blown Away Orlando
🍍CEC Entertainment
🍍Canteen North America
🍍Drone Shine Cleaning Services
🍍JCQServices, INC.
🍍Juniper
🍍Kings III Emergency Communications
🍍Mallard Systems
🍍Moen
🍍NextEra Energy Services
🍍Symmetry IT
🍍Vivo Aquatic Group
🍍Xpodigital

Most importantly, thank you to every lodging professional, exhibitor, sponsor, and partner who brought enthusiasm, collaboration, and aloha spirit to this year’s Tradeshow. Together, we continue to strengthen the relationships and innovation that move Florida’s hospitality industry forward.

Click here to view the full photo album: https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-vtZfN2

We look forward to welcoming you back for the 2027 CFHLA Hospitality Tradeshow!

08/20/2026

Please join us in welcoming our newest members to the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association on this New Member Thursday!

🍍Southeastern Protection Services of Florida
🍍Mike Kogan Consulting
🍍Perky's Pizza
🍍Croux

08/19/2026

Last night, the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association's PAC celebrated strong results in the 2026 Primary Election!

During the Primary Election, 16 CFHLA PAC-endorsed state and local candidates were successfully elected and/or advanced to the General Election, representing an 80% success rate. Additionally, three of CFHLA’s five endorsed judicial candidates were successfully elected to their respective seats.

Building on a successful 2026 Primary Election, the CFHLA PAC now turns its focus to the General Election as we continue to support pro-hospitality candidates and elected officials who understand the importance of Central Florida’s tourism and hospitality industry and its significant role within our regional economy.

Congratulations again to our CFHLA PAC endorsed candidates and onward to November!

Rachel Plakon for Florida House of Representatives
Emily Duda Buckley
Representative Doug Bankson, Florida House District 39
Samuel Vilchez Santiago for Florida State Representative HD43
Jose Alvarez for Florida House District 46
Roberta Walton Johnson for Clerk
Tiffany Moore Russell for Mayor
Kamia Brown for Orange County Commissioner, District 2
Commissioner Scott
Angie Gallo for Orange County School Board Chair
Susanne Peña for Orange County School Board District 3
Mary Downey
Alyssa Noel For Osceola County School Board, District 3
Kristine Kraus Seminole School Board 1
Holton Mills
Autumn Garick

08/19/2026

The Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association is proud to invest in the future workforce of the Central Florida hospitality profession. 🌟

Last year, the CFHLA Foundation provided a $5,000 grant to the Seminole County Public Schools Foundation to help strengthen hands-on culinary education and prepare students for in-demand careers across the hospitality and tourism industry. The funding supported more than 900 culinary students, with the purchase of commercial-grade kitchen and catering equipment for culinary programs at Lake Howell High School and Hagerty High School, giving students greater opportunities to build practical, career-ready experience.

Take a look at what Jean VanSmith, Executive Director of the Foundation for SCPS had to say about the impact of this grant which will help the students develop essential skills in teamwork, customer service, and leadership that will serve them well throughout their careers.

We’re proud to support educational partnerships that strengthen our future workforce and help the next generation discover meaningful career opportunities in hospitality. 🤝

08/18/2026

Today, we’re proud to celebrate Zack Brodersen, our Government Affairs Manager, on his first work anniversary with the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association! 🎉

Over the past year, Zack has played a critical role in leading our advocacy efforts and strengthening our voice at the state and local level, as we help advance Central Florida’s hospitality profession. We’re grateful for his unwavering dedication, professionalism, and strong commitment to supporting all of our members and tourism partners.

Please join us in congratulating Zack on one year with CFHLA in the comments 👇 ! 👏

08/18/2026

📣 Today is Primary Election Day✅! Polls are now open and you can cast your vote until 7 p.m. this evening.

As you head to the polls today, we encourage you to consider supporting our pro-hospitality candidates endorsed by the CFHLA PAC. Each of these leaders understands the importance of the tourism and hospitality industry and the positive impact it has on our regional economy.

Click here to view the full slate of pro-hospitality and CFHLA PAC-endorsed candidates and make your voice heard: https://www.cfhla.org/2026-pac-pc-endorsements

Paid Political Advertisement by the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association Political Action Committee, 6675 Westwood Blvd, Suite 210, Orlando, FL 32821.

08/17/2026

🗳️ REMINDER: Primary Election Day is tomorrow!✅

We encourage you to get informed, make a plan to vote at the polls, and be sure your voice heard. Every vote critically important and it is an opportunity to help shape the future of our industry and the Central Florida region.

Please click here to view the full slate of pro-hospitality and Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association PAC-endorsed candidates: https://www.cfhla.org/2026-pac-pc-endorsements

Paid Political Advertisement by the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association Political Action Committee, 6675 Westwood Blvd, Suite 210, Orlando, FL 32821.

08/17/2026

The Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association was delighted to hear the progress that has been made in public safety, housing, and transportation at Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer's 2026 State of the City Address last week.

Throughout his address, Mayor Dyer reported a 19% reduction in citywide crime last year, including just 10 homicides - the fewest in Orlando in 50 years. He also highlighted the addition of nearly 24,000 residential units over the past six years, along with initiatives designed to streamline development and expand affordable housing.

Transportation safety was also another focus, with more than 100 Vision Zero projects contributing to a 40% reduction in deadly and serious-injury crashes since 2020, representing an estimated 60 lives saved.

Lastly, the Mayor spotlighted Orlando's thriving tourism and culinary scene, noting that several Michelin-recognized restaurants can now be found throughout our region.

For Central Florida's hospitality industry, these investments are important to maintaining a safe, vibrant, and welcoming destination for all residents, workers, and visitors.

08/16/2026

Our final educational seminar at the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association Hospitality Tradeshow featured a new Technology in Hospitality Seminar, presented by Dr. Arthur Huang of the UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management and Tyler Spaulding of Orlando World Center Marriott.

This educational seminar explored how hospitality leaders can thoughtfully approach technology and artificial intelligence by first identifying the operational challenges these tools can help solve: saving time, improving decision-making, and enhancing both the guest and team member experience.

Dr. Huang and Tyler shared practical use cases, including organizing guest feedback, analyzing food and beverage pricing, and managing event space operations. The interactive session also demonstrated how well-crafted AI prompts can create repeatable workflows, streamline data analysis, and give leaders and team members more time to focus on delivering exceptional guest experiences.

Thank you again to Dr. Huang and Tyler for sharing your expertise and helping our members better understand how technology and AI can drive innovation and support more informed decision-making throughout the hospitality industry.

Lastly, thank you to our 2026 Technology in Hospitality Seminar Series Sponsor, Staff Pro Workforce Solutions, for your continued support!