In keeping with our #MondayMakers tradition, we sat down with Dominique to talk through the ins-and-outs of her role.

Dominique, how did the Orlando night manager position come about? And where did you come in?
Well … that’s a good story! In 2016, the City of Orlando’s Downtown Development Board/Community Redevelopment Agency (DDB/CRA) contracted with Responsible Hospitality Institute (RHI) to provide a study focused on nighttime economy. RHI brought together over 100 local stakeholders and city staff to look objectively at our opportunities and threats pertaining to the nighttime economy in Downtown Orlando. After this yearlong, focused research, RHI presented the DDB/CRA with a Sociable City Plan specifying goals and benchmarks on how to grow our nighttime economy in fashion, supported by business owners, residents, city staff, and the likes! One of the main suggestions was to hire a “night manager” (also known as “night mayor” in some other cities). Fast forward to July 17, 2017… I started in the role. I was the fourth in the country to be hired for such a position.

What’s been the biggest challenge of your job?
Like most things in life, the biggest challenges have been the unknown! But the unknown has also been some of the best parts [of the job]. The position is so new for the city, the country, and the world, and while that does allow me a unique opportunity to help create what this role can and will mean for the city, and beyond, it is challenging because there are no defined standards yet. I push myself daily to think BIG picture and to know the right people to ask the right questions, so that I can be as knowledgeable as possible! And then there’s government process to learn and keep learning.

What’s been your biggest accomplishment so far?
I am proud to say that I hit the ground running in terms of projects and establishing new connections with amazing community leaders. I presented on behalf of the city at the Music Cities Convention in Melbourne, Australia. I am co-chair of the Top Issues Council: Nighttime Economy for the International Downtown Association, working on a project that will be published this year. I was honored to be recognized for the Orlando Business Journal’s Women to Watch for 2018. I am a proud board member of both the Church Street Main Street District and the Thornton Park Main Street District. I am fortunate to be able to accomplish both large and small goals every day/night at work!

What’s one thing you hope to change while in office?
I am not ‘in office.’ I am a city staff member and like my colleagues, we all hope to facilitate sensible solutions and inject meaningful vision into all our projects. I would like to help Downtown Orlando become a true 24-hour city with more diversity in our ‘sociability’ selections.

If you had to choose a lineup of three must-stop places on a Saturday night anywhere around Orlando, which three would you choose?
My answer to this particular question changes weekly! There’s truly so many lineups to choose from and even more factors that ultimately help me to decide, but for this one I’ll say… Have the octopus at El Buda (and dessert!), stop at the Woods for a craft beer or cocktail, then let loose at Aero‘s rooftop.

What are some Instagram accounts you follow to get your Orlando on?
@dwntwn_orlando
@orlandofoodienews
@eastendmkt

Name one city in the U.S. that you enjoy the most.
SO HARD! I think NYC always does it for me, but the San Francisco Bay area and Austin, Texas are really addicting too!

And one city outside of the U.S. that you enjoy the most?
Melbourne, Australia!

There you have it folks. If you ever find yourself thinking that Orlando isn’t cool, is behind the times and should fix up downtown at night — think again. We were the fourth city in the nation to have someone fully dedicated to our after-hours economy. And with someone like Dominique in place, we’re optimistic about the future of our Orlando nights.

Know someone who belongs on this list? Send them our way! Drop us a line at hello@pulp.town.

This morning’s playlist has us feeling lucky. Maybe because we’re coming back from a weekend in Sin City but whatever the reason, you’re in for a real treat. Tune in here.

Warp speed. Last week we told you about Brightline, the high-speed train that will link us up with cities in South Florida. But how would you like to get to South Beach in less than an hour, no flying required? Plans for a Hyperloop train between Miami and Orlando are moving forward, and the project’s leader expects that you could take the 26-minute trip as soon as 2023. (WSVN)

Shaq’s shack. Former Orlando Magic superstar Shaquille O’Neal has put his kinda dope/kinda insane Windermere mansion on the market. The 31,000 square-foot manse includes 12 bedrooms, an incredible pool with a swim-up bar (nicknamed ‘Shaq-apulco’), a mural of Shaq driving an 18-wheeler with an integrated fish tank, an indoor basketball court (sporting a Heat logo), and a giant round bed sporting the Superman logo — all for the low, low cost of $28 million. (WSJ)

Social slip. One Orlando Alliance rescinded its executive director offer to Patricia Todd, Alabama’s only openly gay legislator, after Todd tweeted asking “will someone out” the state’s conservative governor, Kay Ivey. Todd said the tweet was made in haste and out of frustration when Ivey claimed that an LGBT group went against her values. (al.com)

‘We have a responsibility to help …’ Senator Bill Nelson has filed a bill to get more FEMA housing assistance for Puerto Rican evacuees. The current program, which provided hotel vouchers for evacuees, would end on June 30 and leave many without assistance or housing. (Orlando Weekly)

Test anxiety. Florida teachers are still failing a state certification exam that keeps many of them out of class, even if their students are successful. The “General Knowledge Test” portion of the exam measures high school fundamentals across the curriculum, so language arts teachers need to pass math and vice-versa. Preliminary findings from a USF study found no correlation between test scores and teachers’ effectiveness in the classroom. (WFTS)

THAT’S ALL FOR TODAY

We’ll see you tomorrow!

– Pulptown