Pat Williams, Tom Draper To Be Honored As Part Of Greater Orlando Sports Commission's 2024 SPORTYS Awards

The Chairman’s Award of Excellence and Sports Tourism Alliance Award will be presented alongside 10 other award categories during the 2024 SPORTYS on Wednesday, December 4
 
Orlando, Fla. (November 12, 2024) – 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 2024 SPORTYS: Greater Orlando’s Night of Champions presented by Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute, which airs on WKMG-TV’s ClickOrlando.com on Wednesday, December 4 at 7 p.m.
 
The 2024 Chairman’s Award of Excellence is being presented posthumously to Pat Williams. The award honors a role model in the Central Florida region who has been a long-term 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.
 
“Pat Williams was a visionary leader and an inspiration to Central Florida. His impact on professional sports, the City of Orlando and the millions of people who live in and visit our beautiful community is truly immeasurable,” said Sharon Line Clary, Senior Vice President of Community Impact & Partnership Engagement for AdventHealth and Chairman of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission Board of Directors. “Pat’s vision for Orlando was larger than life, and I am honored to name him as the recipient of the 2024 Chairman’s Award of Excellence.”
 
Past winners of the Chairman’s Award of Excellence include 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 Inn Resort & Club (2020).
 
The 2024 Sports Tourism Alliance Award is being presented to Tom Draper, Chief of Operations at the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority. The 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.
 
“I am so pleased to present this year’s Sports Tourism Alliance Award to Tom Draper,” said Jason Siegel, President & CEO of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission. “Orlando’s airports serve as the gateway to Central Florida’s diverse and exciting offerings, including the incredible sporting events that take place here. We thank Tom and the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority for supporting our community’s efforts by ensuring that athletes, fans, and visitors have an exceptional travel experience.”
 
The 2024 SPORTYS will honor sports business professionals whose contributions and impact are vital in making Greater Orlando one of the country’s premier sports destinations. The show is set to air on WKMG-TV’s  ClickOrlando.com/watch-live, and the winners of the remaining 10 award categories will be revealed during the broadcast.
 
About the Greater Orlando Sports Commission
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 1,660 events in the Greater Orlando area with a total economic impact exceeding $3.3 billion in spending within the community. For more information, visit www.GreaterOrlandoSports.com.
 
 
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