Actor Billy Flanigan emceed the evening’s festivities with additional remarks from Dr. Abraham Pizam, dean of Rosen College. Both inductees were honored with a special聽 musical performance before they took the stage to accept a Steuben crystal pineapple and address the audience. Mears, Jr. was serenaded by Michelle Lindahl’s rendition of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and the St. Luke’s United Methodist Church Children鈥檚 Choir sang “We Are the Children of Promise” for Landwirth, whose wife, Pam, attended on his behalf. Following the induction ceremony, guests were treated to dinner, live entertainment and dancing.

Landwirth is a hotelier, philanthropist and founder of , a 70-acre, nonprofit resort in Central Florida that creates magical memories for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. His roots in the Central Florida hospitality industry run deep, starting in 1954 when he managed the 100-room Starlight Motel in Cocoa Beach.

Mears, Jr. is the chairman of and the son of company founder, Paul S. Mears, Sr. He has guided the company for almost 40 years and helped transform it from three taxicabs to a ground transportation industry leader. Mears Transportation is also an active community partner, providing free transportation to families staying at the Give Kids the World Village for the last 25 years.

For more information about The Pineapple Ball, please visit hospitality.ucf.edu/the-pineapple-ball.

The Pineapple Ball will be produced by Rosen College faculty, staff and students. Proceeds will benefit scholarships and academic initiatives, which include: classroom technology upgrades, curriculum materials, learning labs, equipment, the development of degree programs, hiring additional faculty and industry research grants.

Ticket and sponsorship information for The Pineapple Ball is available online at hospitality.ucf.edu/the-pineapple-ball.

For event questions, please contact:

Premila Whitney at 407.903.8020 or premila.whitney@ucf.edu.

For sponsorship information, please contact:

Jessica Richards at 407.823.1589 or jessica.richards@ucf.edu

Suzan Bunn at 407.903.8212 or suzan.bunn@ucf.edu

鈥淲e are honored to recognize Henri Landwirth and Paul Mears, Jr. for their contributions to the hospitality industry, as well as their undeniable influence in our community,鈥� said Dr. Abraham Pizam, dean of Rosen College. 鈥淲e hope our industry partners and friends will join us to celebrate this special occasion.鈥�

Henri Landwirth is a hotelier, philanthropist and founder of , a 70-acre, nonprofit resort in Central Florida that creates magical memories for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. Landwirth鈥檚 roots in the Central Florida hospitality industry run deep, starting in 1954 when he managed the 100-room Starlight Motel in Cocoa Beach.

Paul Mears, Jr. is the chairman of and the son of company founder, Paul S. Mears, Sr. He has guided the company for almost 40 years and helped transform it from three taxicabs to a ground transportation industry leader. Mears Transportation is also an active community partner, providing free transportation to families staying at the Give Kids the World Village for the last 25 years.

Sponsorship and ticket information for The Pineapple Ball will be available online at hospitality.ucf.edu/the-pineapple-ball. Tickets will go on sale starting May 5. If you have any questions about the event, please contact Premila Whitney at 407.903.8020 or premila.whitney@ucf.edu.

*Please note that for the last three years, Rosen College partnered with the National Association for Catering and Events (NACE) to perform the induction into the Central Florida Hospitality Hall of Fame through the Grand Tour Gala. However, neither Rosen College nor the Central Florida Hospitality Hall of Fame are affiliated with this year鈥檚 Grand Tour Gala.