Challenge ahead….
What an honor to take over the operational reigns of one of college football’s most anticipated traditions – bowl season in Orlando!
The City Beautiful has long hosted the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl (79 years and counting), and for the past quarter century, the FCS team has also produced a second postseason contest, known today as the Pop-Tarts Bowl. The games are separated by just three days during the final week of the year, an effort that demands flawless coordination and an all-hands-on-deck mindset. (And that’s before you consider that teams aren’t even selected until the first Sunday in December and arrive on our tarmac barely two and a half weeks later.)
Just how big is Bowl Week? Each roster includes 125 players, plus dozens of coaches and support staff, to start. Additional traveling contingents also include VIPs, alumni, bands, spirit squads, media and thousands of passionate fans. Multiply that by four, then factor in the needs of sponsors, broadcast partners and others, and you’ve got a mega-event on your hands.
As a student of sports & event planning, I dove deep into the complex web of details and countless variables leading up to an action-packed week of activities between America’s two favorite holidays. With only six months to become the local expert, it was a true test of teamwork and unwavering focus. But we kept the train moving forward, while honoring past successes and finding new ways to evolve.
Our North Star is creating an over-the-top amazing guest experience, so we aggressively challenged the status quo, sought out constructive feedback and built a collaborative culture. It’s amazing what a group of high energy individuals can accomplish as a collective unit!
From bold branding opportunities, consuming an obscene number of edible delights, a grand staff apparel reveal, viral moments, frequent late night planning sessions, we zigzagged across the city for site visits, whiteboard revisions and 45 straight days of prep while bouncing between 3 “homes away from home”.
I’m so very grateful for this team and everything we achieved together. Another busy season has come to a close & I couldn’t be prouder of our amazing 2024 event operations crew.
Mission accomplished 🙌
Now…… sleep!!!!
FearlessAdventures 