Downtown Orlando Partnership

From higher education and entrepreneurship to gaming and technology, this month’s ConnectDTO session highlighted the many forces shaping Creative Village and the future of downtown Orlando.

A huge thank you to our panelists and hosts for opening your doors, sharing your perspectives, and giving the class a deeper understanding of the partnerships, projects, and ideas moving this area forward!

🎤 PANELISTS
Charlotte Ustler, Vice President, Ustler Development, Inc.
Ben Noel, Executive Director, FIEA at UCF Downtown
Belinda Ortiz Kirkegard, President, National Entrepreneur Center

🏢 BUSINESS HOSTS
Valencia College
Electronic Arts
UCF Downtown

Good food, great company, and a chance to support the downtown community 🍴

Join the Downtown Orlando Partnership for Chow on Church on May 28 at Inter&Co Stadium! Presented by the City of Orlando’s Downtown Development Board, this afternoon event brings together downtown restaurants, local professionals, and community connections all in one place. Proceeds from every ticket sold directly benefit the Parramore District and the Parramore Community Engagement Council.

Admission Includes:
🍔 Food tastings from downtown restaurants
🍺 One complimentary beer or seltzer ticket
🤝 Networking opportunities
🥤 Complimentary Pepsi products

Event Details:
🗓️ Thursday, May 28, 2026
⏰ 3:30–6 PM
📍 Inter&Co Stadium

Secure your tickets today! 👉 https://www.doporlando.com/chowonchurch/

Get ready for a taste of downtown! 🍴

Join the Downtown Orlando Partnership for an afternoon of local food, networking, and community connections at Inter&Co Stadium. Presented by the City of Orlando’s Downtown Development Board, this one-of-a-kind event brings together downtown restaurants and professionals while supporting the Parramore District and the Parramore Community Engagement Council through every ticket sold.

Admission includes:
🍔 Food tastings from downtown restaurants
🍺 One complimentary beer or seltzer ticket
🤝 Business networking
🥤 Complimentary Pepsi products

Event Details
🗓️ Thursday, May 28, 2026
⏰ 3:30–6 PM
📍 Inter&Co Stadium | 655 W Church St, Orlando, FL 32805

Get your tickets today! 👉 https://www.doporlando.com/chowonchurch/

Thank you to everyone who joined the Downtown Orlando Partnership’s 2025 Golden Brick Awards, presented by . From transformational projects and community impact to new businesses and major events, this year’s winners represent the momentum shaping downtown Orlando every day.

Congratulations to this year’s winners:
🏆 Arts + Culture: Frontyard Festival at Dr. Phillips Center supported by AdventHealth
🏆 Commercial + Residential Development: Hamlin House
🏆 Community: Drive Out Holiday Hunger Initiative
🏆 Entertainment + Special Events: 2025 Vans Warped Tour
🏆 Hospitality + Dining: Sparrow
🏆 Innovation + Technology: 2025 Orlando Game Jam
🏆 New Local Business: The Good Pour College Park
🏆 New Office Design: AECOM
🏆 Public Works + Placemaking: 407 Connect
🏆 Redesign + Renovation: Orlando Health Cancer Institute — BMT Expansion
🏆 Sports: 2025 FIFA Club World Cup
🏆 Sustainability + Resiliency: Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County – Creating Affordable Homeownership Opportunities in Parramore
🏆 Game Changer: Travel + Leisure Co. Global Headquarters
🏆 Award of Excellence: Steve Hogan and Florida Citrus Sports’ 80 Years of Impact Celebration presented by AdventHealth

And congratulations to Ryan Young, AIA, CEO and Co-founder of .design.build, on being named the 2025 Downtowner of the Year 👏

A special the you to , founder of The Orlando Real and Pozek Group, for serving as this year’s host and helping guide such a memorable morning.

Thank you as well to our presenting sponsor, , event partner , and this year’s event sponsors for helping make the morning possible:

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Thank you for another incredible year celebrating the people, places, and progress moving downtown forward!

DOP’s Arts & Culture session of ConnectDTO was a great opportunity to showcase the creativity, collaboration, and cultural spaces that make downtown Orlando unique. Thank you to our panelists and business hosts for giving our class a behind-the-scenes look at the industries, experiences, and organizations shaping our city’s arts and culture community.

PANELISTS
• Barbara Hartley, Executive Director, Downtown Arts District
• Chris Jones, Owner, RedTape Orlando
• Peterson Guerrier, Owner, RedTape Orlando
• Cole NeSmith, Founder and Artistic Director, Creative City Project
• Thali Sugisawa, Director of Cultural Tourism, United Arts of Central Florida

BUSINESS HOSTS
• Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
• Orange County Library System
• Orange County Regional History Center
• Downtown Arts District

Join us THIS FRIDAY for DOP's First Friday, hosted by Colliers! ☕️

🗓️ May 1, 2026
⏰ 8 – 9 AM
📍 | 255 S. Orange Ave., #1300 Orlando, FL 32801

First Friday is free to attend, but registration is requested. RSVP via the link in our bio 🔗

The Downtown Orlando Partnership is excited to announce , Founder of The Orlando Real and PozekGroup, as this year’s host of the Golden Brick Awards!

🗓️ Tuesday, May 5
⏰ Doors open at 7:45 AM | 8:30-10:30 AM Program
📍 Steinmetz Hall at Dr. Phillips Center

Ken Pozek is a real estate entrepreneur and media personality based in Orlando, Florida. Over the past 23 years, Ken has served more than 2,500 clients and sold over $1.8 billion in residential real estate. As the founder of Pozek Group, he leads a team of more than 50 agents, creatives, and staff, all focused on helping people achieve the dream of living in Orlando.

Ken is also the founder of The Orlando Real, an all-things-Orlando media company covering theme parks, development, and life in the city. Reaching more than 7 million unique accounts each month, Ken and his team are on a mission to ensure Orlando reaches its fullest potential.

The Golden Brick Awards are just two weeks away!

Secure your seat and join us today 👉 https://www.doporlando.com/goldenbrickawards/

Coffee, conversation, and connections ☕️

Join us for DOP’s First Friday Networking Coffee, hosted by Colliers!

🗓️ May 1, 2026
⏰ 8 – 9 AM
📍 Colliers | 255 S. Orange Ave., #1300 Orlando, FL 32801

First Friday is free to attend, but registration is requested.

RSVP today! 👉 https://www.doporlando.com/firstfriday/?fl_builder

On behalf of the Downtown Orlando Partnership’s Board of Directors and Trustees, we’re proud to announce Ryan Young, President & CEO of Interstruct Design + Build, as our 2025 Downtowner of the Year! 🏆

Ryan’s work over the past 25 years reflects a deep investment in downtown Orlando, shaping the built environment through projects like Travel + Leisure Co.’s global headquarters and the transformation of the historic Angebilt Building, while also supporting creative work like the ArtCube. Through collaborations like The Desire Foundation, he continues to support initiatives that expand access to resources and strengthen connections across downtown.

Join us on May 5 at the Golden Brick Awards as we celebrate Ryan and this year’s honorees!

Tickets are available via the link in bio 🎟️

design.build