How One Big Block Party Left a Lasting Impact in Kissimmee

Author

Ashley Mostaccio

Director of Sales, Orlando

Ashley.Mostaccio@pra.com

Every year, Maritz Activate brings people together to do business, network, and build relationships. PRA was proud to be this year’s design sponsor for the closing night in Kissimmee with a day-to-night block party takeover at The Promenade at Sunset Walk. 

I’m proud to say we succeeded. I've never received as much feedback about a single program as I have on the Maritz Activate closing-night celebration in Kissimmee. People are still reaching out to talk about the experience, the destination, and the unexpected wow moments along the way. 

Shout out to Experience Kissimmee, Michelle Moore, and her team. We showed how great things can happen when a DMC and a destination management organization (DMO) shared a goal: creating an experience that leaves a lasting impact on guests and the community alike. Long after the event, it still feels like we’re “Walking on Sunshine” (the event’s theme). We gleaned so many rays of wisdom while working on this program that I’m sharing my favorites with you.

Look Beyond the Expected

When Maritz Activate came to Central Florida, there were plenty of options for a signature closing-night event. We could have followed a more familiar path and directed attendees toward some of the area's best-known attractions. 

But I was determined to get everyone to Sunset Walk. It stood out: It fit the distance, the vibe, and the window Maritz Activate wanted. And, honestly, I knew most guests would expect a theme park, or a restaurant buyout. But we wanted to show Kissimmee as more than just a gateway to Central Florida. We wanted them to experience its personality and energy as a standout destination for an event.

Neither PRA, nor Maritz had ever done an event there. We took a chance, being the first, and it was beyond worth it. Take the risk. It just may pay off. 

Double the Impact

A big reason for this program’s success was our strong relationship with Experience Kissimmee, Michelle, and team. They supported our ideas on everything from offering local vendors opportunities to making creative activations happen and simply determining how to best showoff Kissimmee as its authentic self. 

“Strong partnerships are built on trust and the knowledge that you can just call each other and say, “Hey, do you have this?” says Michelle, “And that is the value of that long-term relationship. I know I can count on PRA. And I also know that they would reach out to me out if they needed something.” That spirit extended to our venue team. We worked through every detail, from space layouts and service styles to activation concepts and transportation plans. 

My advice? Don’t fall back on "This is how we've always done it." Instead, ask, "How can we make this work, together?" That mindset stemming from how we worked together ultimately became one of the event’s greatest strengths.

Put the Destination on Display

Every detail of a destination is an opportunity to tell a story. It’s those details that help guests connect to the destination itself. 

We designed Sunset Walk so guests could walk between three venues (drinks in hand), while experiencing interactive activations, entertainment, local offerings and unexpected moments at every turn. Some of the wow moments? A custom blimp, flare bartender, sticker vending machine, and signed Gloria Estefan t-shirts. Sunset Walk’s large footprint was perfect for guests to explore, discover, and engage. 

We also leaned into local flavors: Signature cocktails featured ingredients and stories connected to the region. Interactive experiences highlighted local culture. Small design choices also reinforced a sense of place, such as custom napkins imprinted with an event map to guide guests. 

Even the transportation was part of the act. A playlist was curated for the short ride from the resort to the walk, easing guests into the evening before they stepped off the motorcoach. It's those small, intentional moments that matter most.

Go Local

Perhaps the aspect I am most proud of is the impact the event had on local businesses and vendors in Kissimmee.

I’m always looking for authentic local partners. That could mean working with established suppliers. Or it may mean helping a small business step into the meetings and events world for the first time. 

One of the most talked-about activations of the evening came from a local honey producer I originally discovered at my local farmer's market. What began as a simple conversation evolved into an interactive experience featuring local honey, educational storytelling, and a specialty cocktail connection that attendees couldn't stop discussing: the honeycomb.

A small business will likely need your guidance and partnership when you bring them into a large-scale corporate event. We helped new local vendors understand guest expectations, service standards, timing requirements, and operational considerations associated with serving a large professional audience. 

But the value for these businesses extends far beyond a single event. The visibility for our local vendors at Sunset Walk created new opportunities, new relationships, and insights on how they can participate in future meetings and events. That's meaningful because it helps expand the economic benefits of a program beyond the venue walls (or walks in this case) into the community.

As Michelle noted, “Meetings and events can provide visibility to smaller businesses that may not have a theme park budget or direct access to the business-events market. But when DMOs, DMCs, and local partners work together, everyone benefits.”

A Ripple Effect

The most successful events create impact long after the final guest leaves. For Maritz Activate 26, that impact extended in several directions.

Guests discovered Kissimmee, a destination not well known to many attendees. Local venue partners saw new possibilities for hosting business events at a larger scale. Small, local businesses gained exposure to an entirely new audience. And our teams developed a model that can inspire future programs. 

The positive feedback has been overwhelming and continues to reinforce a core event planner belief: memorable events are about connection. Connection between people. Connection to a place. Connection to local businesses and community partners. And connection between organizations that trust each other enough to pursue something different.

The Maritz Activate 26 closing-night block party at The Promenade at Sunset Walk was more than just a block party to me. It was a reminder that when partnership leads the way, an event can become something much bigger than a single night. It can create awareness, opportunity, and momentum that lasts long after the lights go out.