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ORLANDO, FLA. (June 17, 2022) – Holiday Inn Club Vacations Incorporated, a national vacation ownership company, today announced a partnership with Special Olympics Florida. In addition to its sponsorship of Team Florida for the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games, the Company proudly hosted a golf athlete and his family for a complimentary stay at Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Orange Lake Resort, its flagship property in Orlando, Florida.
Ian Kelley, a 26-year-old athlete from Leon County and captain of Team Florida Golf, was invited to stay at the resort with his mom, Annie Kelley, and his dad, Joe Kelley, who taught Ian to golf and sometimes serves as his caddie. At the resort, the Kelley family spent quality time together before the start of the USA Games. To prepare for the competition, Ian was treated to a one-on-one training session with John Brown, Director of Instruction at the Orange Lake Resort McCord-Brown Golf Academy and one of the 352 PGA professionals in the U.S.
Before departing from the resort, Orange Lake Resort team members gathered to send Ian and his dad off with words of encouragement and support. At the USA Games, Ian won a gold medal in the 18-hole, individual competition.
“Everything was wonderful over the last few weeks. The Holiday Inn Club Vacations team exceeded our expectations. From the first night greeting us with a welcome basket to John’s golf lesson and the heartfelt send-off, our family felt so special and honored,” said Annie Kelley. “John’s clinic helped Ian so much. He gave Ian the confidence and determination to play his best. Ian remembered John telling him that he can win the gold medal.”
This marks the second consecutive year Holiday Inn Club Vacations has supported the Special Olympics Florida Every Family is Special Campaign. The program highlights the unique qualities of every family it serves while raising awareness around the rewarding experiences and challenges that families encounter while raising children and adults with different abilities.
“At Holiday Inn Club Vacations, we believe in the importance of creating inclusive environments where everyone feels respected and at home at our resorts. We are so grateful to support Special Olympics Florida and its mission of providing individuals with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to demonstrate their talents through sports competition,” said Jorge Reyes, General Manager at Orange Lake Resort. “With several on-property courses and training facilities, golf is a big part of the experience at our resort. Our team was so excited to share those offerings with Ian and his wonderful family.”
“We are so thankful to partner with Holiday Inn Club Vacations again and receive their support for Team Florida in the USA Games,” said Lori Newcomb, Vice President of Development at Special Olympics Florida. “The chance to compete on a national level is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for our athletes. Support from organizations like Holiday Inn Club Vacations allows our team to provide this powerful experience to thousands of athletes across Florida. And through our Every Family Is Special Campaign, we can celebrate the families that support these inspiring athletes.”
Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Orange Lake Resort spans more than 1,100 acres in size and includes four different villages. The resort offers numerous on-property golf amenities including two 18-hole championship courses, the McCord Brown Golf Academy, a 9-hole executive course and the only lighted 9-hole walking course in Central Florida. For more information on the resort, visit holidayinnclub.com/explore-resorts/orange-lake-resort.
About Holiday Inn Club Vacations Incorporated
Encompassing 28 resorts, 7,900 villas in 14 U.S. states and more than 365,000 timeshare owners, Holiday Inn Club Vacations Incorporated is a resort, real estate and travel company with a mission to be the most loved brand in family travel by delivering easy-to-plan, memorable vacation experiences that strengthen families.
Based in Orlando, Fla., the Company has been a leader in the vacation ownership industry since 1982, when it was established by Holiday Inn® founder Kemmons Wilson with the opening of the Company’s flagship property, Holiday Inn Club Vacations® at Orange Lake Resort next to Orlando’s Walt Disney World® Resort.
Today, the Holiday Inn Club Vacations resort portfolio spans the Eastern and Central United States, with a growing presence in desirable Western U.S. destinations. Throughout its history, the Company has maintained the core family values true to its majority ownership by the Wilson family, while aggressively pursuing growth, transforming its member engagement model and building an industry-leading team passionate about the guest experience.
About Special Olympics Florida
Special Olympics Florida, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, provides year-round sports training, competition, and health services to children and adults with intellectual disabilities, at no cost to the athletes or their caregivers, as a means to achieve physical fitness, self-esteem, socialization skills, and the life skills necessary to be productive, respected, and contributing members of their communities. To learn more, visit www.specialolympicsflorida.org.