Central Florida was forever changed last year when we lost 49 beautiful souls.
Our clients understood the devastation and we’re proud to have played host to events during which show management took it upon themselves to give back to the community they visited and honor the victims of June 12, 2016.
Here’s a sampling of what happened on our campus since then:
AAU Volleyball (June 2016)
Attendees of the annual volleyball tournament raised money for the One Orlando Fund, which supported victims of the shooting. They also signed banners to show support of the Orlando community.
Zumba Fitness Conference (July 2016)
Pulse survivor and Zumba enthusiast Angel Colon danced at the annual Zumba Fitness Conference in July. His July appearance was the first time Colon had danced since being shot six times.
In his honor, the Zumba Fitness Angel Institution was created. The scholarship program will be awarded to send one instructor who demonstrates love and diversity to the annual convention. Additionally, the Zumba Instructor Network announced they would pay for Colon’s rent and physical therapy for a year.
Fan Fest Orlando (September 2016)
A charity event by the creators of Walker Stalker Con (which takes place at the Orange County Convention Center annually), featured 25 celebrities coming together for a one-day event.
Attending celebrities donated 100% of their profit from autograph and photo op sessions to the One Orlando fund.
WrestleMania Axxess (April 2017)
Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Orlando Police Chief John Mina and Orlando Health were named WWE Everyday Heroes for their response to the Pulse nightclub shooting.
MegaCon Orlando (May 2017)
The annual pop culture and comic book convention honored the victims of Pulse through a weekend of Love is Love programming.
On May 26, a private-ticketed event brought together artists, celebrities and fans for an evening of socializing and discussing the importance of supporting the LGBTQ community and its allies. The next night, the Love is Love Art Auction featured more than fifty original comic creations up for bid.
Proceeds collected throughout the weekend were donated to Equality Florida, the state’s largest civil rights organization.
Premiere Orlando (June 2017)
Earlier this month, thousands of members of the global beauty industry gathered for their annual event. For them, the Pulse tragedy struck close to home as two of the victims, Juan Rivera Valazquez and Luis Conde, owned D'Magazine Salon in Kissimmee.
To honor Valazquez and Conde, as well as other Pulse victims, show management sold T-shirts featuring the word “love” over a rainbow of colors. True to form, the V was depicted as a pair of cutting shears.
Funds raised from the shirts, which sold out on the first day, were donated to The Center, an organization that supports LGBTQ community. Attendees also made monetary donations throughout the show.
The Premiere Show Group planned to match all money raised.
We are #OrlandoUnited.