ORLANDO — There are a lot of things that make the Amway Center in downtown Orlando a great place for live entertainment, said Alex Martins.
The Amway Center has hosted concerts, sports competitions and special events, and of course is home to the Orlando Magic, the basketball team that Martins serves as its chief executive officer.
But something else that truly makes the Amway Center so special, Martins said, is the people who work there — the teams providing security, guest relations, parking, cleaning, and other services there.
If it wasn’t for them, Martins said, the Amway would have a much more difficult time being the first-rate entertainment venue that it is today.
On Monday, Orlando honored those workers by hosting Employee Appreciation Night at the Amway, inviting everyone who works there to drop by for a buffet dinner, free drinks, and games that included a pie-eating contest, with prizes given to the winners.
It was, Martins said, a way of letting those workers know how valued they are for what they do.
“We really appreciate all the legendary service you provide,” Martins said. And because of that service, he added, “It’s been a great, great year.”
Orlando Venues — the city agency that oversees the Amway and other attractions like the Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium, the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre, Harry P. Lieu Gardens and the Mennello Museum of American Art, understands that it is the workers who leave as much of a positive lasting impression as the venues themselves, said Allen Johnson, executive director of Orlando Venues.
“We don’t say thank you and job well done often enough,” he said. “Thank all of you. You’re all legends in my mind.”
The Amway’s employees recently got some global recognition. Amway was honored with the 2013 Customer Experience Award during TheStadiumBusinessAwards presentation in Manchester, England. It represented the largest dedicated meeting in the world of the owners, operators and developers of the world’s leading stadiums, arenas and major sports venues.
To win this prestigious honor, a stadium, arena or sports venue has to consistently deliver outstanding levels of service to the public.
Since opening in 2010, Orlando’s home basketball team, the Orlando Magic, have spearheaded a specialized customer service training program that’s done in conjunction with the Disney Institute, the professional development arm of The Walt Disney Company. Their training on how to create a truly magical experience for guests is provided to all Amway Center employees.
That was one reason why the Amway Center was previously named the “Sports Facility of the Year” by the
Sports Business Journal.
Martins said the people working at the Amway truly deliver for its guests and visitors.
“The Number One best thing about the Amway Center is the great service you get here,” he said.
That’s reflected in customer comments about the Amway workers, said Phillip Hastings, director of arena operations at the Orlando Magic.
Customers provide feedback all the time about the employees, and a lot of those comments are highly positive, Hastings said.
“This year we received over 700 Legendary Playmakers cards,” he said. Those are cards given to employees who provide service that goes above and beyond.
As Martins noted, the Orlando Magic start a new season in the fall, and the Amway workers will be the ones who help make those Magic games a memorable experience for the fans.
“This upcoming year is going to be a great year for the Orlando magic,” Martins said. “This year, we will be celebrating our 25th year.”

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