ORLANDO, FL, December 10, 2012:  On Friday, November 2, 2012 the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association (CFHLA) hosted the first CFHLA Legends Dinner at The Peabody Orlando. During the evening, CFHLA honored three retired, industry professionals who have played an instrumental role in the evolution of CFHLA and the Central Florida hospitality industry. The following individuals received this distinguished recognition:


Mr. Caimano spent 27 years serving the hospitality industry in Central Florida, serving as the General Manager of the Embassy Suites International Drive – Jamaican Court for 26 years. Upon Caimano’s arrival in 1982, the only structures built were the first phase of the Orange County Convention Center and The Peabody Hotel. Mr. Caimano proudly served on the CFHLA Board of Directors for 24 years, serving as its Chairman in 1990. Caimano was also one of the founders of the CFHLA Political Action Committee and served as the PAC Board Chairman for over 10 years. In 1993, Caimano received the CFHLA Hotelier of the Year Award and in 1977, served as the Chairman of the CFHLA President Search Committee. Caimano is also credited with developing the idea to recognize regional law enforcement, fire rescue, EMS and hotel security staff – which evolved into the CFHLA Patriot Day event.

Mr. Hardy has served the Central Florida hospitality industry for 15 years. In 1987, Hardy arrived in Orlando as the Regional Vice President and Managing Director of the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, overseeing eight additional Hyatt Hotels in Florida, South Carolina and Nevada. Hardy served on the CFHLA Board of Directors for 14 years and was instrumental in establishing CFHLA as a prominent political power, working with the CFHLA Governmental Affairs Committee and the CFHLA Political Action Committee. At the state level, Hardy was involved with the Florida Hotel & Lodging Association, serving on their Government Relations Committee. At the national level, Hardy served on the Board of Directors for the American Hotel & Lodging Association, serving on the Resort Committee. In the community, Hardy served on advisory boards for the University of Central Florida and Webber International University and served for 8 years on the Give Kids The World Board of Directors. Hardy has received numerous recognitions over the years, including the Hyatt General Manager of the Year (1980), CFHLA Hotelier of the Year (1995), Resort Executive of the Year (1996), Florida Hotelier of the Year (2000) and was the first recipient of the Jay Pritzker Award.

Mr. Stolz worked 38 years in the Central Florida hospitality industry, with extensive operational expertise in a wide-variety of hotels, spas and resorts and hotel condominiums. In 1975, prior to the Buena Vista Hospitality Group, Stolz joined Shimberg Kennedy Frost as General Manager of the Royal Plaza, one of the original official hotels of Walt Disney World. He was appointed Vice President of Operations for Shimberg Kennedy Frost where her directed all of the company’s hotel operations and expansion activities. In addition Mr. Stolz developed, built and operated the Buena Vista Palace in the Walt Disney World Resort and served as an officer of the Buena Vista Hospitality Group from the company’s inception in 1986. Stolz is a Past President and Executive Committee Member of the Orlando / Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, a former member of the Orange County Tourist Development Council and served on the Board of Directors of the Employers Association. Stolz is one of the founding members of the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association and has served various capacities over the years for both CFHLA and the Florida Hotel & Motel Association. In 1988, Stolz receive an award for the CFHLA Hotelier of the Year.

Prior to the dinner program, an unveiling ceremony of the CFHLA Legends commemorative plaques occurred at the Orange County Convention Center. Courtesy of the OCCC, a wall has been reserved in recognition of these legendary professionals and features a permanent display of the CFHLA Legends.

The 2012 CFHLA Legends Dinner was held on the evening of Friday, November 2, 2012 at The Peabody Orlando. Several hospitality executives were in attendance, including fifteen past CFHLA Chairman and local elected officials representing Central Florida.

For more information about CFHLA, please visit our website: www.cfhla.org

The Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association (CFHLA) is the world’s largest regional hotel association, representing approximately 80% of the hotels in Orange, Osceola and Seminole Counties.