Casandra Matej, Maria Triscari To Be Honored As Part Of Greater Orlando Sports Commission’s 2026 Spo

The Greater Orlando Sports Commission (GO Sports) has announced the recipients for the Chairman’s Award of Excellence and the Sports Tourism Alliance Award as part of the 2026 SPORTYS: Greater Orlando’s Night of Champions presented by Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute, which airs on WKMG-TV’s ClickOrlando.com on Wednesday, June 17 at 7:00 p.m.

 

The 2026 Chairman’s Award of Excellence is being presented to Casandra Matej, President and CEO of Visit Orlando. The Chairman’s award honors a role model in the Central Florida region who has been an impactful contributor to the local community. The recipient of this annual leadership award embodies strengths across many categories, like entrepreneurship and team building, and is recognized for their passion, integrity and collaborative spirit.

 

Since becoming Visit Orlando’s first female CEO in February 2021, Matej’s efforts have focused on spurring Orlando’s tourism industry recovery, drawing 76.7 million visitors to Central Florida in 2025, a 2% increase over 2024. Under her leadership, a first-of-its-kind new global brand launched called “Unbelievably Real” in collaboration with the Orlando Economic Partnership, telling one comprehensive brand story for Orlando. Her focus on collaboration has resulted in a series of powerful partnerships with Orlando Health, Michelin and TripAdvisor. She formerly served on the U.S. Department of Commerce Travel and Tourism Advisory Board since 2023 and is vice chair of the U.S. Travel Association’s Executive Board of Directors.

 

“Casandra Matej’s leadership has helped elevate Orlando’s reputation not only as the most visited destination in America, but as one of the most collaborative and forward-thinking communities in the tourism and sports industries,” said Caesar Lopez, Chairman of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission Board of Directors. “Since arriving in Orlando during one of the most challenging moments in travel history, she has brought people together, strengthened partnerships across our region, and helped drive record-setting growth and global visibility for Central Florida. Her passion for this community and commitment to excellence have made a lasting impact on Orlando and everyone fortunate enough to work alongside her.”

 

Past winners of the Chairman’s Award of Excellence include Orlando legend Pat Williams (2024), Alex Martins from the Orlando Magic (2023), Chris Carmody of GrayRobinson, P.A. (2022), Jon and Betsy Hughes from Track Shack (2021), and Bud Beucher from Mission Resort & Club (2020).

 

The 2026 Sports Tourism Alliance Award is being presented to Maria Triscari, President and CEO of the International Drive Resort Area Chamber of Commerce. This award recognizes an outstanding executive in the tourism industry who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and support for sports tourism in Greater Orlando, including supporting the operators of regional venues, organizations who are recruiting and hosting major sporting events, as week as local sports teams, leagues, and associations.

 

Triscari has served as President and CEO of the International Drive Resort Area Chamber of Commerce since its inception more than 30 years ago, helping transform the I-Drive corridor into one of the nation’s premier tourism destinations. Under her leadership, the Chamber has grown into a powerful advocate for Central Florida’s hospitality industry, representing 135 hotels, major attractions, the Orange County Convention Center, and more than 100,000 employees. Triscari has played a key role in advancing major regional initiatives, including the Orange County Convention Center Master Plan and the Sunshine Corridor transit project connecting SunRail and Brightline to the tourism district. A longtime champion for education, community partnerships, and law enforcement support, she also founded the Tourism Orlando Leadership Program which is now in its 25th year.

 

“We are so pleased to recognize Maria Triscari with this year’s Sports Tourism Alliance Award for her extraordinary service and leadership,” said Jason Siegel, President & CEO of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission. “Maria has been one of the most influential and steadfast leaders in Central Florida’s tourism and hospitality industry, helping shape I-Drive into one of the most recognized tourism corridors in the world. Her advocacy, collaboration, and commitment to community partnerships have had a lasting impact on the growth of sports tourism and the visitor economy in Orlando. We thank Maria and the I-Drive Resort Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for supporting our region’s sports tourism efforts by ensuring that athletes, fans and visitors have an exceptional experience in our community.”

 

Past winners of the Sports Tourism Alliance Award include Tom Draper from the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (2024) and Robert Agrusa from the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association (2023).

 

The 2026 SPORTYS presented by Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute honor sports business professionals whose contributions and impact are vital in making Greater Orlando one of the country’s premier sports destinations. The winners of the remaining 10 award categories will be revealed during the broadcast on June 17.

 

The Greater Orlando Sports Commission (GO Sports) is a private, non-profit organization established to attract and manage sports-related events, conferences and activities that drive positive economic development in the City of Orlando, Lake County, Orange County, Osceola County, and Seminole County. Founded in 1992-93, the organization has hosted or co-hosted more than 1,700 events in the Greater Orlando area with a total economic impact exceeding $3.86 billion in spending within the community. For more information, visit www.GreaterOrlandoSports.com.