Central Florida Sports Commission to Host Celebrating Women in Sports Luncheon Presented by Orlando Health

ORLANDO, April 23, 2018 -- The Central Florida Sports Commission announces today the Celebrating Women in Sports Luncheon presented by Orlando Health, which will be held on May 17^th, 2018 at The Ballroom at Church Street.

The inaugural luncheon will recognize three Community Sports Leadership Award winners: Maribeth Bisienere, Linda Landman Gonzalez, and Joanie Schirm. ESPN’s first female MLB analyst and two-time Olympian (gold and silver medalist), Jessica Mendoza, will deliver the keynote address. As one of the most notable softball players in the last decade, Jessica has provided her analysis for ESPN and ABC Little League World Series, and the Men’s and Women’s College World Series. As a past president of the Women’s Sports Foundation, an educational nonprofit charity focused on female involvement in sports, Jessica hopes to use this keynote as a platform to share her belief that all women deserve to play sports.

The Community Sports Leadership Award is given to women of exemplary character who have shown strong leadership abilities in the Central Florida region. Maribeth Bisienere serves as the Senior Vice President for Walt Disney World Parks and Security. Maribeth led the strategic growth and management of the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Florida, the industry leader in youth sports events, and the runDisney endurance series which spans five race weekends. Linda Landman Gonzalez is the Vice President of Social Responsibility for the Orlando Magic and President of the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation. Linda serves in a leadership role overseeing community relations, government relations, philanthropy, corporate giving, cause marketing and multicultural insights. Joanie Schirm is the founder of Geotechnical and Environmental Consultants, Inc., as well as an author. Joanie was the founding volunteer President of the Central Florida Sports Commission (then known as the Orlando Area Sports Commission) and chairman of Orlando’s venue bid and host committee for the 1994 FIFA World Cup. All three award winners have continually supported the growth of sports in Central Florida, including increasing opportunities for women working in sports.

“We are so pleased to honor these three women for their leadership and dedication to the Orlando sports community,” said Jason Siegel, CEO of the Central Florida Sports Commission. “The Central Florida Sports Commission is also thrilled to welcome Jessica Mendoza as the keynote speaker of this inaugural luncheon, and we’re excited to grow this inaugural event for years to come.”

Registration and networking will begin at 11:30 a.m. and the luncheon will begin promptly at noon. Table sponsorships are available for $2,000 and include eight tickets to the luncheon, two tickets to a VIP Meet & Greet with Jessica Mendoza, and logo recognition. A limited number of individual tickets can be purchased for $75.

For more information or to purchase a table or individual tickets for Celebrating Women in Sports Luncheon presented by Orlando Health, please visit http://www.centralfloridasports.org/cws-2018.

About Central Florida Sports Commission:
The Central Florida Sports Commission (CFSC) is a private, non-profit organization established to attract and manage sports-related events, conferences and activities that drive positive economic development in the City of Orlando, Orange County, Seminole County, Osceola County and Lake County. Founded in 1993, the CFSC has hosted or co-hosted more than 1,240 events in Central Florida with a total economic impact exceeding $1.4 billion in spending within our community. For more information, please visit www.centralfloridasports.org.

Media Contact:
Elizabeth Landy
Uproar PR for Central Florida Sports Commission
321-236-0102 x232
[email protected]