Building Our Tech’s (BOT) Brilliance in Orbit Diamond Decade Gala is Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, from 5 PM to 10 PM at Winter Park Events Center. Here’s everything you need to know before you go.
Ten years of impact in tech. Ten years of building with the Orlando community. And in one week, we’re celebrating all of it together, under one (very sparkly) roof.
Thank you for helping us mark this milestone. Bookmark this guide: it has the schedule, dress code, parking, silent auction details, and a first look at our People’s Choice Award finalists, so you can spend the night celebrating instead of searching your inbox.
The gala at a glance
The quick version, for when you’re halfway out the door:
- Event
- Brilliance in Orbit Diamond Decade Gala, celebrating BOT’s 10th anniversary
- Date
- Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026
- Time
- 5 PM to 10 PM
- Venue
- Winter Park Events Center, 1050 W. Morse Blvd, Winter Park, FL 32789
- Dress code
- Formal; jewel tones, black or silver encouraged. Try to avoid navy blue.
- Parking
- Free at the venue
- Seating
- Table numbers are handed out at the door
- Tickets
- Sold out
What should I wear to the Diamond Decade Gala?
Formal attire, in a palette fit for a diamond anniversary: jewel tones, black, or silver.
Think emerald, sapphire, ruby, amethyst, or a classic black-and-silver moment. One small ask: if you can, skip navy blue. We want you to stand out and shine, not blend into the night sky.
What’s the schedule for the evening?
Doors open at 5 PM for an hour of cocktails, photos, and art. Dinner and the program begin at 6 PM.
5 PM to 6 PM: Arrive and mingle
- Cocktail hour. Grab a drink and connect with the BOT community.
- Photos. Your jewel tones deserve to be documented.
- Art experience. Take a creative detour before dinner.
6 PM onward: Dinner and program. Settle in at your table for:
- Keynote address
- Awards ceremony, including the live People’s Choice Award vote
- Silent auction (opens in a new tab) (live now; bidding closes at 9 PM)
- Mission Moment: 10 Years of BOT
- Art installation
The celebration wraps at 10 PM.
How does the silent auction work?
The silent auction is live now and closes at 9 PM on Nov. 14, and anyone can bid, whether or not you’re attending.
Every bid helps fund BOT’s programming and initiatives across Central Florida. Items include:
- Universal Orlando theme park tickets
- Courtside WBCA tickets
- Art, and more
Browse and bid in the silent auction (opens in a new tab).
Who are the People’s Choice Award nominees?
Five Central Florida changemakers are finalists in the People’s Choice Award, and the winner will be chosen by live vote at the gala on Nov. 14. Get to know them before you cast your vote.
Kelly Shea, Founder & CEO, Innovation Station Kits
Kelly is part of the BOT family as a member of one of our cohorts. The community recognizes her for the energy and follow-through she brings to entrepreneurship across Central Florida:
- Teaching young innovators to think like inventors and founders through Innovation Station
- Working with Girl Scouts of Florida to bring entrepreneurship and invention to girls
- Being accepted into the Rally Social Entrepreneur accelerator and invited to showcase at tech events
- Mentoring fellow founders and staying active in entrepreneurial support organizations throughout the region
Kelly shows what it looks like when a builder also makes room for the next generation of builders.
Arlene Blake, Founder & Executive Director, Women on the Rise
The community recognizes Arlene for the care she brings to this work:
- Helping women step into the careers they want, with workforce initiatives she’s led and supported, resulting in salary increases of $20,000 to $40,000+
- Amplifying women-owned businesses to her members and the broader community
- Creating visibility for young women as they grow into adulthood and imagine what success can look like for them
- Teaching professionals how to use AI for career development, from resumes and LinkedIn to interview prep and salary negotiation
A PMP-certified project manager who has planned more than 100 events over the past decade, Arlene is a 2020 Orlando Business Journal Women Who Mean Business honoree, 2022 Orange Appeal Magazine Woman of the Year, and a 2024 Noble Knight Alumna Award recipient from UCF’s College of Community Innovation and Education.
Jennifer Desir Hilaire, Founder & Executive Director, The Desire Foundation
The community recognizes Jenn for the scale and heart of her work:
- Distributing more than 10,000 pounds of groceries each month and impacting more than 7,500 lives through TDF programs since 2020
- Leading Project 814, which provided more than 52,000 meals and 3,300 grocery bags in 2024 alone
- Building Parramore Market, a choice-based, 100% nonprofit neighborhood grocery market preparing to open, with more than 1,000 households already registered
- Designing the market’s Community Access Hub to connect neighbors with résumé help, workforce resources and health services alongside groceries
- Mobilizing more than 700 volunteers each year and giving them real opportunities to serve, learn and lead
Jenn also founded Fusion & Co., an events platform that has showcased more than 1,000 musicians. Her recognitions include Orlando Business Journal’s 2025 40 Under 40, the 2023 Golden Brick Award, the City of Orlando’s 2023 Volunteer of the Year, and the District 5 Community Impact Award.
Her nominations made one thing clear: Jenn puts her community first and continues to show up for the people she serves.
Dr. Laine Powell, Founder & CEO, Tech Sassy Girlz
- Opening doors for girls to explore STEM through career readiness, mentoring, and entrepreneurship
- Connecting students with paid internships through Tech Sassy Girlz’ Pearls in Tech program
- Serving as a judge for BOT’s startup competition and sharing her experience with local founders
Her commitment to young people and the broader community is one of many reasons her name came forward for this award.
Porcenel Joachim, Founder & CEO, P1 Tech Solutions
- Organizing a back-to-school drive in Orlando that served more than 300 families with backpacks, school supplies, food, and free haircuts for kids
- Funding personal scholarships and getting laptops, tablets, and meals to families in need through P1 Impact Foundation
- Serving as a board director with local organizations, including the Greater Haitian American Chamber of Commerce-Orlando, and giving small businesses in underserved communities practical tech and business guidance
- Hiring people with no prior experience and training them hands-on
- Mentoring young people and returning to speak at his old school
As one nominator put it:
“I have never seen someone take uplifting the youth and community so personal.”
Thank you to all of the nominees, finalists, and voters. When people show up for the community, everyone wins.
Tickets are sold out. How can I still be part of the celebration?
You can still donate, sponsor, or bid in the silent auction, no ticket required.
Your contribution helps BOT bring tech and entrepreneurial education and programming to Central Florida, and powers the next 10 years of community impact and professional development.
- Donate to support BOT’s mission
- Sponsor the celebration
- Bid in the silent auction (opens in a new tab) until 9 PM on Nov. 14
Visit the gala page to get started.
Frequently asked questions
When and where is the BOT Diamond Decade Gala? The Brilliance in Orbit Diamond Decade Gala is Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, from 5 PM to 10 PM at Winter Park Events Center, 1050 W. Morse Blvd, Winter Park, FL 32789.
What is the dress code? Formal attire. Guests are encouraged to wear jewel tones, black or silver, and to avoid navy blue if possible.
Is parking free? Yes. Parking is free at Winter Park Events Center.
How do I find my seat? You’ll receive your table number at the door when you check in.
What time should I arrive? Doors open at 5 PM for cocktail hour, photos, and the art experience. Dinner and the program begin at 6 PM.
Can I still buy a ticket? No, tickets are sold out. You can still support the celebration by donating, sponsoring, or bidding in the silent auction on the gala page.
Can I bid in the silent auction if I’m not attending? Yes. The silent auction (opens in a new tab) is open to everyone online and closes at 9 PM on Nov. 14, 2026. Items include Universal Orlando theme park tickets, courtside WBCA tickets, and art.
Where do silent auction proceeds go? Proceeds help fund BOT’s programming and initiatives, which bring tech and entrepreneurial education to Central Florida.
Who are the People’s Choice Award nominees? The nominees are Kelly Shea of Innovation Station Kits, Arlene Blake of Women on the Rise, Jennifer Desir Hilaire of The Desire Foundation, Dr. Laine Powell of Tech Sassy Girlz, and Porcenel Joachim of P1 Tech Solutions.
How is the People’s Choice Award winner chosen? The winner is chosen by live vote at the gala on Nov. 14.
Here’s to the next 10 years
Ten years ago, BOT set out to bring tech and entrepreneurial education to Central Florida. Every cohort member, mentor, sponsor, volunteer, and supporter is part of the story we’re celebrating on Nov. 14.
Thank you for showing up for this community. Polish those jewel tones, and we’ll see you in orbit.