Business
CFHLA Recognizes Our 2021 Members of the Year and the Charles Andrews Memorial Hospitality Award Recipient
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) – On Saturday, December 18th, the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association (CFHLA) held its annual Hospitality Gala at the Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, where CFHLA celebrated and recognized our organization’s 2021 award winners including the Charles Andrews Memorial Hospitality Award, Lodging Member of the Year, Allied Member of the Year and the Engineer of the Year.
This year, the Charles Andrews Memorial Hospitality Award was presented to Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings. This award is the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by CFHLA. The award is named after the first CFHLA Board of Directors Chairperson, Charles Andrews, and it recognizes an individual’s achievements and contributions to Central Florida’s Hospitality Industry, as well as the community at large. CFHLA would like to thank Mayor Demings for his consistent support of the Central Florida hospitality industry throughout his career in public service. Additionally, Mayor Demings has shown tremendous leadership, perseverance, and dedication to the betterment of our community, throughout this pandemic.
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings (second from right) receives the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association’s highest award during the organization’s 2021 Hospitality Gala at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort in Orlando, Florida Saturday, December 18, 2021. Photo: J Willie David III / Florida National News.
Furthermore, CFHLA would like to congratulate the following 2021 Lodging, Allied and Engineer of the Year Honorees who were also recognized at the Hospitality Gala.
Brian Comes receives his award during the CFHLA Hospitality Gala at the Loews Sapphire Falls Resort Saturday, December 18, 2021. Photo courtesy of the CFHLA.
The 2021 CFHLA Lodging Member of the Year Award was presented to Brian Comes, Area Vice President, Hyatt Regency Orlando.
Erin Sims receives her award during the CFHLA Hospitality Gala at the Loews Sapphire Falls Resort Saturday, December 18, 2021. Photo courtesy of the CFHLA.
The 2021 CFHLA Allied Member of the Year Award was presented to Erin Sims, President, Landform of Central Florida.
Justin Bolin receives his award during the CFHLA Hospitality Gala at the Loews Sapphire Falls Resort Saturday, December 18, 2021. Photo courtesy of the CFHLA.
The 2021 CFHLA Engineer of the Year Award was presented to Justin Bolin, Director of Property Operations, Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek and the Waldorf Astoria Orlando.
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, Congresswoman Val Demings, Assistant to Orange County Administrator Lucas Boyce (right) and a guest pose for a photo during the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association’s 2021 Hospitality Gala at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal Orlando Resort in Orlando, Florida. Photo: J Willie David III / Florida National News.
Other elected officials in attendance included Mayor Demings’ wife, Congresswoman Val Demings, State Senator Victor Torres, State Representatives Daisy Morales, Kristen Arrington and David Smith, Orange County Commissioner Maribel Gomez Cordero. Orange County Tax Collector Scott Randolph, Orange County Public School Board Chair Teresa Jacobs, Osceola County Vice Mayor Viviana Janer and others were also in attendance.
State Senator Victor Torres and State Representative Daisy Morales pose for a photo during the CFHLA Hospitality Gala Saturday, December 18, 2021. Photo: J Willie David III / Florida National News.
(l-r) Osceola County Commissioner and Board Vice Chairwoman Viviana Janer (left), Susanna Randolph and her husband, Orange County Tax Collector Scott Randolph, State Representative Daisy Morales and State Representative Kristen Arrington pose for a photo during the CFHLA Hospitality Gala Saturday, December 18, 2021. Photo: J Willie David III / Florida National News.
Orange County School Board Chair Teresa Jacobs and State Representative Daisy Morales pose for a photo during the CFHLA Hospitality Gala Saturday, December 18, 2021. Photo: J Willie David III / Florida National News.
The Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association’s mission is to advance tourism and the community through hospitality. As the world’s largest regional lodging association, CFHLA represents approximately 80 percent of the more than 125,500 hotel rooms in Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties, and the nearly 500 “supplier” organizations that do business with the hospitality and tourism industries.
For more information on the Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association, please visit www.cfhla.org.
Florida National News and FNN News en Español will provide on-site coverage of the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration at Cranes Roost Park.
ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. (FNN) — Hola at the Park will bring Hispanic culture, local businesses and live entertainment to Cranes Roost Park on Saturday, Oct. 3, from 2 to 6 p.m.
Hosted by the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando and presented by AdventHealth, the event celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month through food, entertainment, entrepreneurship and community connections.
According to the chamber’s event announcement, admission is free, the celebration is open to the community and no registration is required.
FNN to Spotlight Businesses and Community Voices
Florida National News and FNN News en Español, official media sponsors, will be on location covering the festivities.
The FNN team will spotlight chamber representatives, sponsors, participating businesses and community leaders, while sharing attendees’ perspectives throughout the afternoon.
Coverage will highlight the people, businesses and cultural traditions contributing to the celebration.
Photo: Florida National News
Food, Entertainment and Family Activities
The chamber’s announcement lists authentic cuisine, live entertainment, local businesses, wellness experiences, community resources, networking and family-friendly activities among the event’s offerings.
Attendees will have opportunities to explore Hispanic traditions, connect with entrepreneurs and learn about organizations serving Central Florida.
Photo: Florida National News
A Waterfront Setting in Uptown Altamonte
Cranes Roost Park, located in Uptown Altamonte, features a waterfront setting with scenic walkways around Cranes Roost Lake and the Eddie Rose Amphitheater and floating stage.
The park will serve as the gathering place for an afternoon celebrating Hispanic heritage and the connections between culture, business and community.
Event Details
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026
- Time: 2–6 p.m. EDT
- Location: Cranes Roost Park, Altamonte Springs
- Host: Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando
- Presenting sponsor: AdventHealth
- Admission: Free and open to the community
- Registration: Not required
Photo: Florida National News
Vendor Inquiries
For information about vendor opportunities, contact the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando at info@hispanicchamber.com or events@hispanicchamber.com.
The refrigerated lineup includes five single-serve dishes and two family-size meals.
BATAVIA, Ill. (FNN) — ALDI will begin rolling out seven ready-made meals in select stores in early October, with single-serve dishes priced under $8 and family-size options under $15. The grocer expects the full lineup to be available nationwide by January 2027.
The collection includes five single-serve meals: beef Bolognese spaghetti, beef brisket with white mac and cheese, butter chicken and rice, a chicken burrito bowl, and chicken fettuccine Alfredo. The two family-size dishes are chicken and bacon mac and cheese and a meat lovers pizza bake.
“Our shoppers are looking for meals that fit into busy lives,” said Joan Kavanaugh, vice president of national buying for ALDI U.S. She said the company developed the lineup with shoppers’ budgets and demand for convenient meals in mind.
Price and preparation
ALDI said the single-serve meals contain 30 to 46 grams of protein each. The family-size dishes contain 16 to 22 grams per serving. The company announced price limits for the two sizes but did not list a price for each individual meal.
“We tested hundreds of recipes as we developed this collection,” said Terry Jackson, head of food at Kitchen Food Company, ALDI’s supplier for the meals. Jackson said the team focused on flavor and ingredients while developing the dishes.
The meals are refrigerated, not frozen. ALDI says the single-serve dishes can be heated in a microwave, while the family-size meals are prepared in an oven. Shoppers should follow the directions on each package.
2026 Hispanic Chamber Hola at the Park. Uptown Altamonte Springs, Florida at beautiful Cranes Roost Park Saturday, October 3, 2026 (2:00 PM – 6:00 PM) (EDT)
When and where to find them
The meals will be stocked in the refrigerated meals section near the front of ALDI stores. Availability will vary during the rollout, which begins in select markets in early October and expands through the fall. ALDI also plans to offer additional meals through its limited-time ALDI Finds assortment each month over the following year. corporate.aldi.us
