The 2025 Orange County Community Conference at the Orange County Multicultural Center brought neighborhood leaders, county staff and local nonprofits together for workshops, exhibits and a midday awards program that recognized volunteers across the county.

Jason Reynolds, deputy director of Planning, Environmental & Development Services, opened the event, acknowledged sponsors and ran audience-engagement activities and door-prize drawings. County staff announced the schedule for workshops and reconvening times, and introduced neighborhood-services staff and the incoming neighborhood-services manager, Brandy Driggers.

The conference featured practical sessions on estate planning and a Vision Zero transportation presentation among several workshops and an exhibit hall. Mayor Jerry Demings joined for a midday chat, and commissioners presented District Citizens of the Year. The mayor’s 2025 Distinguished Citizen of the Year was Ricky Lee, recognized for volunteer leadership across multiple nonprofits and neighborhood projects. Commissioners honored residents including Anne and Sean Fulton (District 1), Pam Welker (District 2), Dickie Owens (District 3), Bill Dimont (District 4), Pamela Seibel (District 5) and Dr. Shanta Barton-Stubbs (District 6) for community-building efforts.

Organizers thanked a set of presenting sponsors (MME 1040 Service Center, Orlando Health, Fairwinds Credit Union, Florida Community Loan Fund, Wendover Housing Partners and Spice House Catering) and encouraged attendees to continue engaging through neighborhood advisory boards and county programs.