Champion of the Year: Orlando
Unites and recognizes the community’s most active leaders in the name of inclusion.
6:00 PM | Orlando, FL
Thank You!
Thank you for participating in this year’s Champion of the Year event! Because of you, we were able to raise funds to sustain and help expand our Best Buddies programs in the area. We look forward to having you at next year’s event. With your help and support, our mission of inclusion lives on!
Best Buddies Champion of the Year is a competitive fundraising campaign that unites and recognizes leaders of inclusion in local communities nationwide.
Champion Candidates commit to raising funds and awareness for Best Buddies throughout their campaign. Our Champions advocate for the Best Buddies mission and will generate countless opportunities for friendships, jobs, leadership development, inclusive living and family support. At the Best Buddies Champion of the Year celebration, we honor the Champions’ collective impact and name the ultimate Champion of the Year!
Best Buddies in Central Florida invites you to the 2026 Champion of the Year Gala, Under the Stars, an unforgettable evening celebrating inclusion, friendship, and the incredible people who make our community shine.
Join us on Friday, October 23, 2026, at The Florida Hotel as we celebrate our Champion Candidates, local leaders who have spent their campaigns raising critical funds and awareness to support Best Buddies programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) throughout Central Florida.
See More Event Details
Throughout the evening, guests will experience the magic of the Best Buddies mission through powerful stories, special moments with our participants and Champions, exciting silent and live auctions, dinner, and opportunities to directly support our programs. Together, we’ll celebrate everything our Champions have accomplished before revealing who will be named the 2026 Best Buddies in Central Florida Champion of the Year.
This year’s Under the Stars theme is all about celebrating the people who make our community brighter. Expect an elegant evening with a touch of celestial magic, twinkling lights, starry details, and plenty of opportunities to shine while supporting inclusion.
Attire is Cocktail Chic. We encourage guests to embrace the Under the Stars theme with elevated evening looks. Think cocktail dresses, suits, jumpsuits, and dressy separates, with metallics, shimmer, celestial details, or a little sparkle encouraged.
Parking is available on-site for free. If you’d like to book a hotel room for the night of the gala, please call 407- 859- 1500 ext. 3900, mention you’re with Best Buddies for a discounted rate of $137. **Based on room availability, book soon!**
Sponsors:
Holland & Knight- Presenting
Delma Group Homes
Schedule
Friday, Oct. 23, 2026
Doors Open: 6:00 PM
Dinner & Program: 7:30 PM
Event Ends: 10:00 PM
Location
The Florida Hotel
1500 Sand Lake Rd.
Orlando, FL 32809
Event Contact
Congrats to our 2025 Orlando Champion of the Year
John and Marissa Nelson and Rob Concelman
Raised $27,684 for Best Buddies in Orlando
Florida: Orlando
A Glimpse of the Party...
Why Participate...
All funds raised benefit Best Buddies – the largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people worldwide with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Our programs empower people with IDD to form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure jobs, improve communication and advocacy skills, and live independently, while also offering support for their families.
The IDD community that Best Buddies serves individuals with IDD and their families. The IDD community includes, but is not limited to, people with Down syndrome, autism, Fragile X, Williams syndrome, and other undiagnosed disabilities.
We Love our Sponsors!
Presenting Sponsor
Signature Sponsor
Additional Sponsors
For sponsorship opportunities and other event inquiries, please contact:
KaylynNimocks@bestbuddies.org