Orlando, Fla. May 2025.- The annual Puerto Rican Summit, returning to Orlando’s DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel at SeaWorld from May 21 to 23, has announced a new partnership with the City of Kissimmee. A well-known home for Puerto Ricans in Florida, Kissimmee will be recognized as “Municipality 79”—a formal designation that underscores the city’s vital role in Central Florida’s Puerto Rican community.
Executive Director Luis DeRosa, Coordinator Miriam Martínez, and the City of Kissimmee’s Mayor (Seat 5) Jackie Espinosa unveiled the “Municipality 79” initiative in a press conference held at the Summit venue. The three leaders will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) next week, cementing their commitment to collaborate on programs and services benefiting Puerto Rico throughout the Kissimmee and Orlando area.
“We are thrilled to make Kissimmee ‘Municipality 79’ official,” said Miriam Martínez. “For years, our community has affectionately referred to Kissimmee by this nickname. Now, the Summit will help us work even more closely with city leaders to advance educational, cultural, and economic opportunities for Puerto Ricans in Central Florida.”
Luis DeRosa emphasized the Summit’s role as a premier annual gathering for economic development, business networking, and community empowerment.
“This event creates a valuable platform for discussing critical issues—from entrepreneurship to immigration—and forging partnerships that drive real change in our neighborhoods,” DeRosa noted.
The City of Kissimmee’s Mayor Jackie Espinosa praised the collaboration: “By formalizing Kissimmee’s status as Municipality 79, we affirm our shared commitment to the vibrant Puerto Rico residents who enrich our city. We look forward to working hand in hand with the Summit organizers to deliver meaningful programs and services.
Espinosa, a Puerto Rican business owner and leader in Kissimmee, stated that she is powerfully connected to the island. She is traveling to Puerto Rico to have key meetings in Aguadilla and Rio Grande, traveling with officers from the City of Kissimmee.
Marcos Vilar, Director of the Alianza Center and speaker of the event, also highlighted the Summit’s success in bringing together stakeholders from every sector.
“Each year, the Puerto Rican Summit convenes government officials, business leaders, educators, and nonprofit partners to celebrate our culture and tackle the challenges facing our community. This new designation will deepen those connections and multiply our impact.”
From Puerto Rico, doctor Gloria del C. Amador, President & CEO of Salud Integral en La Montaña Inc, (SIM) traveled to Orlando to be part of the press conference and said: “We’ve come to serve those who left the island, after Hurricane María, COVID, and they are seeking medical care. We saw that many fly to Puerto Rico for their treatments instead of receiving them here. That’s why we’re here—to provide local access so they don’t have to fly back. It’s an extension of 50 years of service in the mountainous areas of Puerto Rico.”
Espinosa will be the keynote speaker at the kick-off of the event in the Women’s Forum under the theme: Unleashing the Diamond Within: Leadership, Wellness, and Legacy. Also, Orange County Commissioner Maribel Gomez Cordero will be part of the first day of the Summit. On Thursday, is going to be held the memorandum signature and a VIP reception. And, Friday will be the Economic Empowerment Forum: Building Bridges of Prosperity: Economic Advancement, Collaboration, and Opportunity. Orlando Commissioner Tony Ortiz will be the speaker of the workshop “Doing Business with the City of Orlando”.
For the agenda and registration, please visit www.puertoricansummit.com.
Puerto Rican Summit 2025- Building Bridges
For over 14 years, the Puerto Rican Summit has been bringing together small businesses, community leaders, and grassroots organizations to discuss the state of Puerto Rican affairs.
The Summit provides an opportunity for Puerto Rican business, civic, and community leaders – as well as interested and involved members of the community, to meet and together develop strategies that will address the challenges and opportunities that face Florida’s growing Puerto Rican community.