Rich Maladecki
On Friday, April 1, 2016, the Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association (CFHLA) held the annual Bacchus Bash at Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets® to benefit Hospitality Education through the CFHLA Foundation. More than 20,000 people enjoyed “Food, Drinks, and Fun for Everyone. This fundraiser earned over $123,000 to provide scholarships and grants to local hospitality students and schools.
Guests enjoyed a night of food, fun, and continuous live entertainment throughout the Outlet Mall, along with a fabulous silent auction of over 200 items.
CFHLA would like to offer a special thank you to this year’s Bacchus Bash Leadership Team: Chairman Louis Robbins, former CFHLA Chairman; Vice Chairs Bill Friedrich, General Manager of the Embassy Suites Orlando International Drive/Convention Center; Rod O’Connor, General Manager of the Avanti Resort Orlando and Brian Wong, Owner/General Manager of the Celebration Suites Hotel.
Over 50 local hotels and restaurants offered samples of their best food and drinks and competed for the following titles/awards:
Best Original Drink: Klondike Bar Shot by the CFHLA Vacation Rental Council
Best Menu Item: WCK Deviled Egg by the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes
Best Dessert Item: Strawberry Layer Cake by the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes
Best Presentation Original Drink: Exotic Hypnotic by the DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld
Best Presentation Menu Item: Wagyu Beef Slider by Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort
Best Presentation Dessert Item: Strawberry Layer Cake by the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes
Most Creative Booth: ‘50s Theme by Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort
Most Interactive Booth: Star Wars by the CFHLA Engineers Council
We hope you will join CFHLA once again in 2017 to continue your support of local Students and Hospitality Education Programs. For more information on the CFHLA and how to get involved visit their website at http://www.cfhla.org/
The Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association is one of Central Florida’s largest and most influential trade groups. The membership includes nearly 80% of the more than 118,000 hotel rooms in Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties, and nearly 500 “supplier” organizations that do business with the hospitality and tourism industries.
CFHLA membership is dedicated to supporting the industry in Central Florida. Members socialize with the “Who’s Who” of the local hospitality industry and have a voice in the governmental, social, cultural and charitable fabric of the Central Florida community.
Hotels, motels, timeshare resorts, management companies, vacation rental managers, supplier businesses, and hospitality industry students all participate in the business, social and public policy activities of the Association and of the industry.
The Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association is here to serve its membership, the hospitality industry and the Central Florida community.
