Daytona’s Cheer & Dance Events Receive Award from Florida Sports Foundation

Two of Daytona Beach’s largest annual athletic events received a prestigious award from the Florida Sports Foundation this week. The National Cheerleading Association/National Dance Association College Nationals brought in the Larry Pendleton Partner Award for Best Small Marketing Awarded Event per an announcement on Monday. The honor was bestowed upon the Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, the organization responsible for the marketing around these events. They were recognized for an annual gathering of cheerleaders and dancers from around the country at the Daytona Beach Bandshell and Ocean Center. “We’re proud to receive this recognition from the Florida Sports Foundation,” said Daytona Beach Area CVB Executive Director Lori Campbell Baker. “The NCA & NDA Championships are a treasured tradition in Daytona Beach and have become an important part of our community’s identity. We are grateful for our longstanding partnership with Varsity Spirit, as well as the support of our hotel partners, community and local stakeholders who help make this championship such a success year after year.” The Florida Sports Foundation announced its award winners at its recent Sports Summit in Bradenton. The full list of winners is as follows. Best Small Market Awarded Event: Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (National Cheerleading Association/National Dance Association College Nationals) Best Mid-Market Awarded Event: Gainesville Sports Commission (2027 World Masters Athletics Indoor Championship) Best Large Market Awarded Event: Greater Orlando Sports Commission (International Olympic Committee-2028 Olympic Q Series) Mid-Market Sports Tourism Venue: Ocala/Marion County (World Equestrian Center) Large Market Sports Tourism Venue: Florida’s Sports Coast (Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus) Best Small Market Hosted Event: Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach (Englewood Beach Waterfest) Best Mid-Market Hosted Event: Visit Tallahassee (The World Athletics Cross Country Champions) Best Large Market Hosted Event: Tampa Bay Sports Commission (2026 NHL Stadium Series) Florida Emerging Leader Award: Alex Dry – Senior Sales & Events Supervisor, Visit Central Florida Sports Florida Sports Tourism Professional Award: Jeff Mielke – Executive Director, Lee County Sports Development MVP Partner Award: Matt Dunn – CEO/Co-Founder, Salty Sports Society Larry Pendleton Leadership Award: Jeff Mielke – Executive Director, Lee County Sports Development