25 Mar 2015
Kissimmee, Fla. —With a goal of attracting soccer fans and international visitors, Experience Kissimmee has signed a partnership agreement with Orlando City Soccer Club, which is launching its inaugural season in Major League Soccer (MLS).
The season kicks off at 5 p.m., March 8 at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, less than a half-hour from Kissimmee's main tourism corridor and most of its accommodations.
“Through this exciting partnership with Orlando City Soccer, we see immense opportunities to introduce Kissimmee to thousands of soccer fans and International visitors,” said DT Minich, President and CEO of Experience Kissimmee. Experience Kissimmee is the tourism marketing authority for Kissimmee, located immediately south of Orlando and noted as the Gateway to Walt Disney World and area theme parks.
Minich said the partnership with Orlando City Soccer helps extend the organization's outreach to visitors from around the world, most especially Brazilians who currently comprise the largest volume of overseas guests to the Kissimmee and Orlando area. Minich sees the monthly features and co-marketing initiatives that include podcasts and social media efforts as key to positioning Kissimmee as an ideal choice for Brazilians visiting nearby theme parks and attractions.
Experience Kissimmee also sees the addition of Brazilian soccer star Ricardo Kaká to Orlando City's roster as an opportunity to attract new international sports fans to visit Central Florida, further broadening the appeal of Kissimmee as a destination to travelers from Brazil.
Orlando City has vied for this opportunity since 2010 and will finally get its chance to debut as the league's 21st MLS franchise.
“We are so grateful for our public partners such as Osceola County. We have always said our Club will bring benefits across the entire Central Florida region – and this is further proof of us delivering on the promises we made to the local community,” said Orlando City Founder and President Phil Rawlins. “We look forward to working closely with Experience Kissimmee to attract more tourists to our region to enjoy everything we have to offer, especially the thrill and excitement of watching the Lions take the pitch in 2015 as part of MLS.”
Osceola County and Orlando City have a pre-existing relationship as one of the public funding partners (along with Orange and Seminole counties and the City of Orlando) for the Lions' new downtown Orlando stadium scheduled to open next season. Osceola County was also the home of Orlando City's final season in USL PRO at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
About Orlando City Soccer Club:
The Lions' first team set the U.S. record for best start of any professional soccer club in its first 100 league matches (66-12-22). Orlando City has won three USL PRO regular season titles and two postseason championships. Outside of the first squad, OCSC also has a youth club, Orlando City Youth Soccer (OCYS) and a U-23 team that participates in the PDL. For more information on the pro and youth clubs, visit www.OrlandoCitySC.comand www.OrlandoCityYouth.org.
About Experience Kissimmee:
Kissimmee is the Gateway to Fun, with access to world-famous theme parks, a diverse slate of outdoor adventures ranging from slow and easy to roller-coaster thrilling. The destination is complemented by luxurious spas, championship golf courses, and more. All the experiences are enhanced by more than 50,000 accommodations that suit every traveler's needs. For more information visit www.ExperienceKissimmee.com.
###
MEDIA CONTACT:
Experience Kissimmee
Communications Department
407-742-8212
