Business
2017 Don Quijote Awards Celebrate 20-Year Milestone, Puerto Rico
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) – Epcot’s World Pavilion was packed with a thousand Central Florida business and community leaders Saturday for the 20th Annual Don Quijote Awards, hosted by Prospera and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro-Orlando (HCCMO). Given the historic 20-year milestone and the aftermath of the 2017 hurricane season, this year’s ceremony was more poignant than ever before. Elected officials in attendance included U.S. Congressman Darren Soto, Florida State Representative Bob Cortes, Orange Soil & Water Conservation District Supervisor Daisy Morales, Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs and Orange County Commissioner Emily Bonilla. Univision personality Paul Gamache emceed the ceremony.
A HEART FOR PUERTO RICO
This year’s ceremony paid tribute to the families and survivors of Hurricane Maria, which ravaged Puerto Rico and displaced thousands. HCCMO and Prospera immediately sprang into action, providing assistance and free consulting to displaced entrepreneurs who have migrated to Central Florida from Puerto Rico. Together with the City of Orlando, Prospera hosted a workshop that equipped over 170 Puerto Rico entrepreneurs to rebuild their lost businesses.
The awards ceremony featured dance numbers dedicated to the island nation and, after the meal, Rollins College’s Juan Tomas Martinez and Ana Mercedes Martinez Paris performed moving songs for the country in Spanish as a video tribute played with sweeping views of Puerto Rico’s alluring landscape and harrowing images of Hurricane Maria’s aftermath.
THE AWARD WINNERS
Photo: Mellissa Thomas/Florida National News.
Hispanic Business of the Year, Five Years or Less: Hispanic Family Counseling
Hispanic Business of the Year, More Than Five Years: Advanced IT Concepts, Inc.
Professional of the Year: Adalberto Torres, Jr., M.D., Division Chief – Division of Critical Care Medicine, Dept. of Pediatrics at Nemours
Hispanic Community Champion: Ron Piccolo, Ph.D., Chair of UCF’s College of Business Administration
Excellence Award: Adriana Comellas-Macretti
Lifetime Achievement Award: Yolanda Londoño, VP, Global Social Responsibility at Tupperware Brands
In light of twenty years of recognizing Central Florida Hispanic Business leaders, the two common through-lines that resonated Saturday were service—dedication to giving back and helping others who are in need, and the importance of following one’s dreams, which reflects the spirit of the awards’ namesake, Don Quijote of the Village of La Mancha.
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Mellissa Thomas is Florida National News Editor. | news@floridanationalnews.com
Business
Walmart’s Road to Open Call Returns to Orlando, Offering Small Businesses Access to National Retail Opportunities
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Walmart, in partnership with the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando, will host the 2026 Walmart Road to Open Call pitch event on May 21 in Orlando, offering small businesses the opportunity to present their products directly to Walmart buyers.
The Orlando event is the only Florida stop in 2026 and is part of a nationwide initiative designed to support small business growth, expand supplier diversity and strengthen U.S. manufacturing.
OPPORTUNITY FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
The Road to Open Call serves as a pathway for entrepreneurs to connect with Walmart’s sourcing team, refine their pitches and prepare for the company’s annual Open Call event in Bentonville, Arkansas.
Applications are open through May 1 at 10 p.m. EST. A select group of applicants will be chosen to participate in the Orlando event, where each business will receive a 30-minute, one-on-one pitch meeting with a Walmart buyer, along with feedback and mentorship.
Top participants may earn a fast pass to Walmart’s annual Open Call, where they can pitch for potential placement in Walmart stores or online.
FOCUS ON U.S.-MADE PRODUCTS
Walmart’s Open Call is the company’s largest sourcing event for products made, grown or assembled in the United States. The program is open to businesses across industries, including food and beverage, beauty, safety and consumer goods.
“The Road to Open Call provides a powerful platform for small businesses to grow and scale,” said Mark Espinoza, senior director of public affairs at Walmart. “By connecting entrepreneurs directly with our sourcing teams, we’re helping bring innovative, U.S.-made products to customers while supporting American jobs and local economies.”
LOCAL IMPACT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
Local leaders say the initiative strengthens both entrepreneurship and the regional economy.
“We are proud to join forces with Walmart for the second consecutive year to bring this opportunity to the business community,” said Pedro Turushina, president and CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando. “This initiative supports entrepreneurs and helps small businesses access national retail opportunities.”
Since launching in 2014, Walmart’s Open Call has helped thousands of small and midsize businesses become suppliers, while more than 85% of Walmart shoppers report valuing U.S.-made products.
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — AdventHealth is now accepting applications for its 2026 Community Impact Grants, aimed at supporting nonprofit organizations working to address critical health needs across Central Florida.
The grant program partners with community-based organizations to expand initiatives that improve quality of life and promote long-term sustainability. Eligible nonprofits serving residents in Orange, Osceola, Seminole and South Lake counties are encouraged to apply.
Applications are open from March 30 through April 16, with funding expected to begin Jan. 1, 2027.
FOCUS ON COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS
The grants are guided by Central Florida’s Community Health Needs Assessment, which identifies key challenges impacting residents’ well-being.
“Our annual Community Impact Grants are guided by Central Florida’s Community Health Needs Assessment to ensure we are investing meaningfully where our neighbors need us most,” said Tricia Edris, senior vice president of innovation and partnerships for AdventHealth Central Florida. “We are honored to align our resources and stand as partners to create measurable, lasting impact across the region.”
PRIORITY AREAS FOR FUNDING
The 2026 grant cycle will focus on three key areas:
- Housing instability
- Transportation
- Food insecurity
These priorities reflect social determinants of health that can significantly influence a person’s ability to live a healthy and stable life. Community organizations often serve as the first line of support for residents facing these challenges.
COMMUNITY IMPACT AND PARTNERSHIPS
Past grant recipients say the program has helped expand opportunities for residents. Crystal Davidson highlighted the impact of the initiative on workforce development.
“Schools and colleges often don’t have the funding to provide introductory workforce programs that expose students to new career opportunities,” Davidson said. “Through partnership grants like the one AdventHealth is providing, we’re able to give young people hands-on experiences that help them discover their potential and build a path toward a meaningful career.”
AdventHealth will also host an informational webinar to guide organizations through eligibility requirements, funding priorities and the application process. Interested applicants can learn more and apply through the AdventHealth website.
Business
Florida National News YouTube Channel Surpasses 1 Million Views, Matches Facebook’s 1M Milestone in 2025
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Florida National News (FNN) has reached a major digital milestone, surpassing 1 million views on a 20-minute YouTube video, marking a significant moment in the network’s continued audience growth and online impact.
The video has shown renewed momentum over time, trending twice—first in August 2017 and again in April 2026, when it gained an additional 470,000 views.
Florida National News (FNN) continues to experience a strong and steady rise in digital viewership across its social media platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. Audiences are increasingly engaging with FNN’s trusted news coverage, community storytelling, and original video content.
On February 12, 2025, FNN also surpassed 1 million views on Facebook, with a 30-second video reaching over 1.2 million views, further highlighting the network’s expanding digital footprint.
Today, both FNN’s YouTube and Facebook platforms have achieved million-viewer status, solidifying FNN’s position as a growing digital news leader.
This milestone reflects FNN’s expanding reach and impact, connecting with millions of viewers and delivering content that informs, engages, and empowers communities.
VIEWERSHIP MILESTONE SIGNALS EXPANDING DIGITAL REACH
FNN officials say the 1 million-view benchmark represents more than just a number — it signals growing trust and interest from audiences across Florida and the nation.
While individual FNN videos have consistently generated tens of thousands — and in some cases hundreds of thousands — of views, surpassing the 1 million mark underscores a broader trend of rising visibility and relevance in a competitive digital media landscape.
The network’s Instagram platform has also seen strong performance, recently exceeding 350,000 views, further reinforcing FNN’s multi-platform growth strategy.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR FNN?
Building on this momentum, FNN plans to:
- Expand original video programming and live coverage
- Increase audience engagement across all social platforms
- Strengthen partnerships and community-based storytelling
- Accelerate growth toward the next milestone beyond 1 million views
Network leaders say the goal is not just higher numbers, but deeper impact — connecting with audiences in meaningful ways while continuing to grow as a trusted digital news source.
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