I’m on the planning committee and will be helping to emcee the Central Florida Bloggers Conference on September 15th in Orlando, Florida. I’m super excited about it because it’s a chance for hundreds of bloggers and social media all-stars (current or up and coming) to get together and share stories, advice and more. Tickets are on sale now but will go up in price the closer we get to the event so sign up ASAP!
One of the amazing things that we’re doing a this year’s Central Florida Bloggers Conference is a project called “Blogging for Good.”
By “Blogging for Good” we’re uniting together to make a change here locally. You can participate in our “Blogging for Good Program presented by the Rollins Philanthropy & Nonprofit Leadership Center by simply making a choice… a choice to write about something powerful, something beneficial, something right here in Central Florida.
Simply follow these directions to become a “Blogger for Good.” It’s free an easy and you’ll also be in the running to win some awesome prizes like a $100 American Express Gift Card or even an iPad 3!
And, lastly, if you choose, you and your readers can get a raffle ticket for one of six incredible baskets our nonprofits have put together just for this occasion! 100% of the money raised goes directly to the nonprofit of your choice, so, come on and join the movement!
Special thanks to the Rollins Philanthropy & Nonprofit Leadership Center for their support of this program!
I have to admit something. If I have a favorite organization in Central Florida, it’s this one: The Second Harvest Food Bank. I have been working with them in some form or fashion since I moved to Orlando in 2004, and every year, I am more and more impressed by their passion, devotion to making a decision and support for the community.
I took a tour of the facilities back in 2010 and was blown away by how much it takes to feed people in need just in our community:
Mission: To Fight Hunger in Central Florida
- Providing access to food and other grocery products in order to meet the need
- Promoting and supporting the development of our partner agencies’ ability to fulfill their missions
- Mobilizing leaders and communities by bringing visibility to the invisible problem of hunger and poverty
- Developing more holistic and county-specific solutions to hunger in Central Florida.
I also got to meet one of the incredible volunteers that make it possible for the Food Bank to keeps its doors open:
(Embedded above — click here to watch it in a new tab)
Of course, I’ll admit — I get to eat the fruit of my labors at the yearly Taste of the Nation events:
- Eating Around the Nation…In High Heels (2009)
- Making a Delicious Difference (2010)
- We Are One Tasty Nation (2011)
This year, I’ll be 34 weeks pregnant for the event, so I plan to DOMINATE the food booths. And my husband Lucas is actually a vendor this year, serving Cigar City Beer (he works as a marketing representative for the Tampa-based brewery), so I’ll be looking for a few people to hang out with.
WANNA JOIN ME?!
I am giving away two tickets (1 ticket EACH to two winners) for the Taste of the Nation at Orlando’s World Center Marriott on August 25th, 2012. These tickets are worth $150 each (!!!!) and get you VIP entry from 6:45-10pm. You need to be 21 years of age and kids are *not* allowed, so book a baby-sitter if you win! You’re also on the hook for parking passes and I expect you to open your wallet generously for the amazing silent auction. Not a requirement, but remember — proceeds go to a GREAT cause.
To enter, leave a comment telling me which restaurant you are most excited to check out at this year’s TOTN: http://ce.strength.org/orlando (click the “restaurants” tab). One entry per email address. I’ll pick the winner on August 16th after 5pmET.
About Katy
So many great restaurants to try! I volunteered for this event several years back and love working with Second Harvest whenever I can. They are a favorite for my office’s team building activities. If I have to pick just one restaurant, I’ll got with K- haven’t had a chance to go to College Park yet to try it out.
Oooh! I’ve been dying to try Sanaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. I always hear rave reviews about it.
Fun!
Probably Roy’s, it’s supposed to be amazing!
Ummm all of them?? I do want to try Sushi Pop, and K Restaurant/Wine Bar, and Roy’s…but can I stress all of them?
Sushi Pop! I love their creativity.
I could not say just one but Sushi Pop and Taverna Opa sound the best to me. But I would say that the best thing would be getting to see you and baby bug if I got to go.
Hi Katy! This isn’t relevant here, but I have been LOVING the posts about your baby shower. You look absolutely beautiful and glowing!
Back to the giveaway, I would probably be most excited about tasting Roy’s. I’ve only been there once, but all of their food was incredible!
Um food tastings, cigar city beer and a preggo Widrick, I can’t resist I wants in! Also my fav Orlando organization is Pet Rescue by Judy. I love that people are giving back at our age
Oh and Sushi Pop. I hear their bacon creme brule is something sinful.
I have never eaten at any of this restaurants. Would love to try as many as possible. No sushi for me. This looks amazing.
They all look amazing, but I have been wanting to try Roy’s for awhile!
I know its a chain, but I havent been to Longhorn steakhouse in years and would love to check it out again!
Ah I have always wanted to attend this event! I’ve heard such wonderful things
I would be most excited to taste Roys. I’ve been once before and the food was PHENOMENAL! I would also be interested in trying food from the JW Marriott and Rosen Shingle Creek.
Bosphorous! The parents of a girl I went to high school with own that place, and I always hear great things about it but have never actually been!
I love this, Katy! I need to read the info more this week so I can be a part of the Blogging for Good with my blog.
I’d be interested in the Sanaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom restaurant. Their vegetarian sampler looks good.
A Land Remembered. I’ve heard great things about it!
Hi Katy, I ‘d love to try Empress Sissi Bakery. I’ve heard amazing things about the desserts at this event and this girl has a sweet tooth! My boyfriend and I really need an excuse to get out of Gainesville, too!
I’ve been hearing/reading a lot about Sushi Pop! Time to try it
What an amazing giveaway Katy! I’d love to try Del Frisco’s or The capital Grille.
I too love the Second Harvest Food bank and volunteer there every year with my coworkers. Siemens Caring Hands takes employees once a year to donate our day to help sorting food. Its a wonderful organization!
This sounds like an amazing event. There are so many great places on the list (K, Land Remembered, Roy’s, Sushi Pop…OMG! Not to mention Cigar City and Redlight, Redlight!), it’s hard to decide but I guess I’d be most excited to try would be Sanaa, since I have never been there but always hear great things about it.
Love JW Marriott at Grande Lakes and the Rosen Shingle Creek restaurants – they always are top notch and so creative! And then ice cream for dessert