Faces and Places: Best Sports Business Cities — Orlando
04.15.2024
Nearly 300 leaders from the Orlando sports community celebrated the city’s ranking atop Sports Business Journal’s list of the Best Sports Business Cities: Event Hosting during an event April 3 at Kia Center.
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Brianna Russell Henderson Gonzalez, an Orlando-based baker and winner of Season 3 of Netflix’s “Is It Cake?” presented a custom cake modeled after the Kia Center to Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Greater Orlando Sports Commission President and CEO Jason Siegel and Allen Johnson, chief venues officer of Orlando Venues, with help from a few mascots who were also depicted on the cake — Kingston (Orlando City SC), Knightro (UCF Knights) and Shades (Orlando Solar Bears).
Gary Bassing During a panel discussion, Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins spoke along with Jason Siegel, president and CEO of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission; Drew Donovan, tournament director of the Arnold Palmer Invitational; and Allen Johnson, chief venues officer of Orlando Venues.
Gary Bassing Esu Ma’at, Orlando Magic chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer, and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer arrive at the Kia Center for the celebration event.
Gary Bassing Attendees enjoyed some networking time during the reception: Greater Orlando Sports Commission’s Michael Kalinich, SVP of corporate partnerships, and board members Jesse Martinez and Chris Mueller; and Robert Agrusa, president of the Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association
Gary Bassing Jennifer Lastik, EVP, Greater Orlando Sports Commission; Anne-Marie Hayward, publisher and market president, Orlando Business Journal; and Lisa Curran, government affairs and community relations manager, Duke Energy Corp.
UCF Athletics UCF men’s basketball head coach Johnny Dawkins (left) and his wife, Tracy, and UCF head football coach Gus Malzahn (right) and his wife, Kristi
Gary Bassing Orlando Magic executives Katie Stocz Miller, SVP, premium and client services, fan experience and operations; Linda Landman Gonzalez, VP of philanthropy and multicultural insights, and president of the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation; and Chief People Officer Audra Romao pose for a photo with a replica of the SBJ cover featuring Orlando.