Know the city | Know the industry

Author: KLStorey

Op/Ed- TASTE! shouldn’t be a thing, but it is, so let’s support it until we no longer need it!

I often cover issues related to pay and the struggles of Central Floridians in the local tourism industry here on Orlando Tourism Report and if any if you have even listened even once then you know that I’m passionate about ensuring we have a strong tourism workforce. But that can only happen if they’re healthy, happy, and willing to stay here.

In Central Florida, 1 in 6 people struggle with food insecurity. 44.5% of Florida households cannot afford basic needs such as housing, childcare, food, health care, and transportation – the vast majority of these families are working. As we work to ensure better pay in the hospitality industry, and in return better pay across the board in Central Florida. there is something else we can do to ensure that ALL Central Floridians are able to fall asleep every night with full stomachs.

The newly re-branded TASTE! Central Florida is this Saturday, August 19, 2017 from 6:45 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. I’m convinced this is the BEST foodie event of the year in Central Florida. If you’re a fan of the various food and wine events at the local theme parks you’ll love TASTE! It has well over 100 local restaurants who showcase the amazing creativity of their chefs with bite-sized dishes using the finest of ingredients.

Yes, tickets at $150 are a bit pricey but that’s honestly less than I spent at Epcot’s Food & Wine fest last time I went there and the proceeds from this go to a great cause. Both the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida and Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida are supported by the event. Approximately 498,000 individuals turn to Second Harvest’s food pantries and meal service programs to feed themselves and their family each year.

This year’s event will include OTR favorites like Yak & Yeti, Universal Orlando, STK, Satu-Li Canteen, SeaWorld, Raglan Road, Paddlefish, and tons of other local restaurants.

The food (and wine!) isn’t the only reason to go to the event. A silent auction has plenty of amazing Central Florida focused items with donations from many of the area’s hospitality leaders. A wine ring toss, the Edible Orlando Giving Tree, a wine cellar giveaway, and many more events take place throughout the evening helping make this one of the most enjoyable evenings of the year. And unlike the parks you don’t have to stand outside when going from booth to booth.

There’s a lot more we can and should be doing to ensure that the 113 million more meals needed per year to fill the hunger gap in our community is a thing of the past but TASTE! is a great first step in that direction. This year, instead of a hot and muggy day of food and wine in a theme park (or on top of it), why don’t you visit the air-conditioned foodie wonderland of TASTE! Central Florida.

TASTE! Central Florida takes place this Saturday, August 18 from 6:45-10:00PM at the Orlando World Center Marriott (the world’s largest Marriott!).

\

BUY TICKETS HERE

Continue Reading

Ep 117 – Margaritaville plus 5,000 more hotel rooms

Ed and Ken go through a run down of the latest hotel news from around Central Florida. From Sanford, to UCF, to Apopka, to 192 there’s plenty of new hotels going up. One of the biggest projects is the new $750 million Margaritaville Resort on 192. Jim Bagley, the Project Manager of Margaritaville Resort Orlando, calls in and talks about all the huge projects that are a part of the new Margaritaville Resort, including a massive new water park.

Hosts

Recording Date- July 28, 2017, on WPRK 91.5 Winter Park (10AM-Noon)

Important Links

WPRK

Hard Rock’s Reverb vs Red Lion’s Hotel RL

Margaritaville Orlando

Ken’s definitive Margaritaville Orlando Resort article

 

Continue Reading

Ep 116 – Breaking into Blogging and Podcasting, Plus a Spouse’s Response

On this very special episode of OTR we’re joined in studio with Nick (Dad on Disney), our biggest fan Jenny (JLBNerdy), and Jenny’s husband Loss. The trio discusses the ins and outs of breaking into theme park social media, lessons they’ve learned from blogging, podcasting, and tweeting. Loss tells stories of what it’s like to be married to a Disney nerd who blogs and podcasts about the parks.

Hosts

Recording Date- July 14, 2017, on WPRK 91.5 Winter Park (10AM-Noon)

Special Guests

Nick Illasi

Jenny B

Loss B

Important Links

WPRK

Tom Morrow’s Mouse

Jenny’s column on DisKingdom

Continue Reading

Ep 115 – D23 Predictions with Nick Ilasi

Nick Ilasi, better known as the Dad on Disney, joins Ed and Ken for a discussion on all the latest WDW rumors and what we might hear from each at this week’s D23 event. Jenny calls in for a some small talk and we finally announce the winner of our June giveaway!

Hosts

Recording Date- July 7, 2017, on WPRK 91.5 Winter Park (10AM-Noon)

Important Links

WPRK

D23

Tom Morrow’s Mouse

Ken’s D23 predictions article

 

Continue Reading

Ep 114 – Jim Deberry of Arihant talks water parks

Jim Deberry, Senior Manager of North America for Arihant Water Park Equipment talks about the future of water parks, the evolution of the industry up to this point, and even shares some details of what to expect at this year’s IAAPA Attractions Expo.

At the end, a few news stories are touched on during the quick hits. Ed and Ken weigh in on the Pirates controversy, a Disney blogger’s shocking news story, and the hot new beach bar headed to Daytona Beach.

Hosts

Recording Date- June 30, 2017, on WPRK 91.5 Winter Park (10AM-Noon)

 

Important Links

 

NEWS

Arihant Water Park Equipment

Jimmy Buffett’s LandShark Bar & Grill is coming to Daytona Beach

Disney finally scrubs human trafficking from Pirates of the Caribbean ride

Port Canaveral shares more on new terminal, cargo crane update

I-4 Ultimate Landscaping Efforts Kick Off

ABC’s ‘The Chew’ Returns for 22nd Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Oct. 4-6

Trump lawyer’s firm steered millions in donations to family members, files show

WPRK

Continue Reading