Orlando’s Asian American and Pacific Islander community gathered on Saturday, October 24, 2026, for the Second Annual AAPI Hob Nob & Resource Fair at AMERASIA Bank on West Colonial Drive, bringing together local candidates, nonprofit organizations, families, and community leaders ahead of Florida’s November 3 midterm elections.
Presented by AAPI Coming Together (ACT), the Greater Orlando Asian American Bar Association (GOAABA), and the Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida (AACC), the free event celebrated National Vote Early Day while encouraging greater civic participation and community engagement throughout Central Florida.
The three-hour event offered residents an opportunity to connect directly with candidates running for local, state, and federal offices. Attendees visited candidate tables, asked questions about issues affecting their families and neighborhoods, and learned more about the people seeking to represent them in government.
Participating candidates and campaigns included Angie Nixon for U.S. Senate, Tiffany Moore Russell for Orange County Mayor, Samuel Vilchez Santiago for Florida House District 43, State Representative Dr. Anna Eskamani, Diana Moore for Orange County School Board District 3, Temika Hampton-Johnson for Ninth Circuit Judge, Roberta Walton Johnson for Orange County Clerk of Court, and the Chris Messina campaign.
Connecting Residents With Community Resources
Beyond the upcoming elections, the Hob Nob served as an opportunity to introduce residents to organizations and services available across Central Florida.
Participating groups included the Orange County Supervisor of Elections, Central Florida Korean Association, IMPOWER Health Resources, League of Women Voters of Orange County, REACH of Central Florida, Engage Florida, and other community partners.
Representatives shared information about their organizations, connected with residents, and discussed opportunities for greater involvement in the community.
The event also highlighted the diversity of Orlando’s AAPI communities through cultural food, family activities, henna, face painting, and a photo booth provided by Than Law.
One of the afternoon’s cultural highlights featured members of the Filipino Student Association at the University of Central Florida performing traditional Filipino dances, sharing Filipino heritage and traditions with attendees.
Building Connections Beyond Election Day
The Second Annual Hob Nob was organized to create a welcoming space where residents could engage with candidates and community organizations in person.
For AAPI Coming Together, the event reflects an ongoing commitment to increasing civic awareness, strengthening relationships between community members and public officials, and encouraging participation in the democratic process.
The gathering also demonstrated how cultural celebrations and civic education can work together, creating opportunities for families of different backgrounds and generations to participate in discussions about their communities.
The event was supported by APIAVote, the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), and Florida Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders for Progress (FLAAPP).
Organizers thanked the volunteers, participating candidates, community organizations, cultural performers, and attendees who contributed to the event’s success.
With Election Day approaching on Tuesday, November 3, ACT encourages eligible residents to learn about their ballot, review their voting options, and participate in the election.
The AAPI Hob Nob & Resource Fair was a nonpartisan civic engagement event. Candidate participation did not constitute an endorsement of any candidate or political party.
For more information about AAPI Coming Together and future community events, follow ACT’s community updates on Facebook and Instagram.
As we approach Election Day on Tuesday, November 3, we encourage everyone to learn about the candidates and issues, make a plan to vote, and participate in our democracy. visit ocfelections.gov and vote411.org for more information.
