ORLANDO (Aug. 7, 2009) – Orlando visitors or locals looking for some out-of-the-ordinary excitement will find it at Rosen Plaza this month as the hotel hosts two action-packed conventions offering unique viewing, mingling and photo opportunities for the public — at the same time: The Sunburst Convention of Celebrity Tribute Artists and The 2009 World Yo-Yo Contest.

Elvis sightings will surely abound as more than 100 professional celebrity impersonators and look-alikes — the very tribute artists seen on cruise ships, in casinos, on TV and in live stage shows — converge at Rosen Plaza Wed., Aug. 12 through Sun., Aug. 16.  The public is invited to share in the fun and take advantage of outrageous photo opportunities with their favorite look-alikes including President and Michelle Obama, George W. Bush, Michael Jackson, Sarah Palin, Elizabeth Taylor, Johnny Depp, Tina Turner, Oprah Winfrey and of course Elvis, to name a few. The following events are open to the public:

• Wednesday, Aug. 12, 8:30 p.m. - Comedy Night, featuring the best comedy tribute acts at Rosen Plaza’s Backstage Lounge. $10 for general public; no charge for hotel guests.
• Friday, Aug. 14, 12:30 -2:30 p.m. and 3-4:45 p.m.: Gold and Platinum-qualified impersonators strut their stuff for talent agents, buyers and producers, as well as the general public in the “Showcase of the Starz 2009.” Tickets are $20 per person.
• Friday, Aug. 14, 8:30 p.m. Mingle with the stars and enjoy once-in-a-lifetime photo ops at B.B. King’s Blue’s Club at Pointe Orlando. Regular admission applies (see www.bbkingclubs.com for details). Then join the celebs late night at Backstage Lounge at Rosen Plaza for the regular admission of $5 per person.
• Saturday, Aug. 15, 12:30-4 p.m. The “Showcase of the Starz 2009” continues with the Premier and Veteran acts. Tickets are $20 per person.

Visitors can stay at the heart of the celebrity look-alike action — and perhaps get discovered —  by booking a room at Rosen Plaza during the convention with special rates available. For reservations and information, visit www.rosenplaza.com or call 1-800-627-8258.  For more information about the Sunburst Celebrity Tribute Act convention, visit www.sunburstconvention.com.

Meanwhile, the world’s top yoyo masters will “throw” down in a series of amazing displays of gravity-defying dexterity to earn top honors in 11 exciting divisions. What was once considered merely a simple toy has become a serious source of global competition — the culmination of hundreds of city, county, state and country competitions —brought to a head before the wide eyes of visiting guests. The public is invited to view the competition finals live at Rosen Plaza on Friday and Saturday evening, Aug. 14-15, starting at 7 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.) for just $9 per person, per night. Finals for divisions 3A, 5A and 2A will be held on Friday, Aug. 14 while the finals for AP (Artistic Performance), combined, 4A and 1 A divisions will be held on Saturday, Aug. 15. Additional events may be viewed with full conference registration, see www.worldyoyocontest.com for more details.

Categories are described as: 1A - one yo-yo being bounced around its string, 2A - two yo-yos doing looping or regeneration tricks, 3A - two yo-yos being bounced around each other's strings, 4A - one yo-yo being bounced around its string but not attached to it, 5A, or counter-weight division - one yo-yo being bounced around its string, attached to it but not attached to the player's finger.

Tickets for the final competitions are not valid for preliminary competitions held during the day and will only be sold onsite.

Rooms are still available at Rosen Plaza for guests eager to rub shoulders with world yo-yo champs. Special rates are available.  For reservations and information, visit www.rosenplaza.com or call 1-800-627-8258.

The 800-room Rosen Plaza provides its guests with resort-style luxury in a world-class vacation destination.  Guests at Rosen Plaza will enjoy accommodations in a deluxe room, outfitted with crisp, white bed linens, luxurious down pillows and regal gold-toned duvets. Guests are invited to enjoy a variety of amenities such as the outdoor heated pool and whirlpool and the Fitness center with "Life Fitness" cardiovascular and exercise machines and a full-range of free weights.  Four on-site restaurants include Jack’s Place, voted the number one restaurant on International Drive by Orlando Magazine, with casual fine dining. Café Matisse offers buffets as well as full breakfast, lunch and dinner menus. Rossini’s Pizza serves fresh pizza and Italian specialties to go. The Lite Bite is open 24 hours a day and serves deli sandwiches and snacks.

For entertainment, musical favorites from the 80’s and 90’s and today can be enjoyed nightly at Rosen Plaza’s Backstage, International Drive's original nightclub. The hotel is also conveniently located on International Drive across the street from Pointe Orlando’s incredible dining and entertainment complex.  Other entertainment options include a 20-screen IMAX® stadium-seating theatre and popular retailers such as the Discovery Store, Brighton Collectibles and Artsy Abode.

For an additional charge, guests may enjoy golf or spa treatments at Rosen Plaza’s nearby sister properties, the award-winning Rosen Shingle Creek or spa at award-winning Rosen Centre. Each of the summer packages include complimentary transportation to Shingle Creek Golf Club, The Spa at Shingle Creek and Body and Sol Spa at Rosen Centre, as well as scheduled complimentary transportation to and from Universal Orlando® Resort, Sea World Orlando® and Wet n’ Wild Orlando.  

Rosen Plaza is only 15 minutes from the Orlando International Airport.