GO Sports Announces Dominique Dawes as Featured Speaker for 2026 Celebrating Women in Sports Luncheon & Auction
Dominique Dawes, three-time Olympian, Olympic gold medalist, and trailblazer in American gymnastics, will speak at the luncheon that honors local women for their distinguished service within the Greater Orlando sports community
ORLANDO, FL (April 8, 2026) – The Greater Orlando Sports Commission (GO Sports) is proud to announce that the 8th Annual Celebrating Women in Sports luncheon and auction presented by Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute will be hosted at Addition Financial Arena on Wednesday, September 16, 2026. In addition to Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute returning as the presenting sponsor, Florida Blue is returning as the sponsor of the fireside chat with featured speaker Dominique Dawes. The 2025 edition of the luncheon sold out with more than 750 attendees.
“We are honored to welcome Dominique Dawes as this year’s featured speaker, continuing our tradition of showcasing influential women who have made a lasting impact in sport both on and off the playing field,” said Caesar Lopez, Chairman of the GO Sports Board of Directors and Chief Operating Officer & General Counsel for Orlando City SC, Orlando Pride and Inter&Co Stadium. “Dominique’s legacy as an Olympic champion and her continued leadership as an entrepreneur and advocate make her an inspiring voice for this event. We look forward to the perspective and energy she will bring as we celebrate the achievements and contributions of leaders across our sports community.”
The luncheon will also recognize several leaders in the local sports community with the Women in Sports Leadership Award, Rising Star Award, and WISE Greater Orlando Women of Inspiration award. To view past winners, visit GreaterOrlandoSports.com/Celebrating-Women-In-Sports/. The 2026 award recipients will be announced at a later date.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dominique Dawes as this year’s featured speaker,” said Ultima Espino, Sr. Director of Sports Partnerships at Orlando Health. “She represents the very best of what sport can offer – opportunity, empowerment, and purpose. Her voice and experience will elevate this year’s event and inspire our community to continue championing women at every level of sport.”
“We’re proud to continue hosting this impactful event each year as an opportunity to celebrate and elevate the incredible women who are shaping our sports community,” said Jason Siegel, President & CEO of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission. “We are grateful for the continued partnership of Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute as our presenting sponsor and Florida Blue as our featured speaker sponsor, whose support helps make this event possible.”
A three-time Olympian and a key member of the iconic “Magnificent Seven,” Dominique Dawes made history at the 1996 Atlanta Games as the first Black woman to win an individual Olympic medal in gymnastics. Over a decade on the U.S. national team, she redefined what it meant to lead with both excellence and integrity.
Today, she is the founder and brand ambassador of the Dominique Dawes Academy, dedicated to creating a safe and empowering environment for young athletes in gymnastics, ninja, and more. Launched in July 2020 in her hometown of Montgomery County, Maryland, the academy is on track to grow to six gyms by 2026, with a long-term vision of 50 locations nationwide.
Beyond gymnastics, Dawes is a minority owner of the Washington Spirit and, in 2024, became a limited partner of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons. Previously, she co-chaired the President’s Council on Fitness under President Obama and produced the Sports Emmy–nominated docuseries Golden. Through her Academy and leadership across sports and culture, Dawes continues to break barriers while championing joy, inclusion, and mental well-being for the next generation of athletes.
Past featured speakers at Celebrating Women in Sports include Jessica Mendoza (2018), two-time Olympian and ESPN’s first female Major League Baseball analyst; Stephanie McMahon (2019), WWE Chief Brand Officer; Brandi Chastain (2021), two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup Champion, two-time Olympic gold medalist, coach and broadcaster; Jennifer Rizzotti (2022), Hall of Fame basketball player and President of the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun; Joan Benoit Samuelson (2023), legendary distance runner and gold medalist for the first ever Women’s Olympic Marathon; Doris Burke (2024), Hall of Fame sports broadcaster and lead NBA analyst on ESPN and ABC; and Misty May-Treanor (2025), three-time Olympic Gold Medalist in beach volleyball.
Table Sponsorships are $2,200. Individual tickets priced at $100 will be available for purchase at a later date. To purchase a table for the event or learn more about sponsorship opportunities, contact Michael Kalinich at michael@greaterorlandosports.com and Morgan Underwood at munderwood@greaterorlandosports.com.
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 1,700 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.
