The Florida Citrus Commission has announced a new marketing partnership between Florida Orange Juice and the Tampa Bay Lightning. This collaboration, which coincides with the start of the hockey pre-season, will see promotional activities throughout the 2025-26 NHL season at Benchmark International Arena.
According to Steve Johnson, Chairman of the Florida Citrus Commission, fans attending Tampa Bay Lightning games and other events at Benchmark International Arena will be able to participate in promotions featuring Florida Orange Juice. These include in-arena mocktails, pregame giveaways, and interactive product sampling stations at Ford Thunder Alley and Publix Plaza during select home games. Additional outreach will involve community events with the Lightning’s mascot Thunderbug and opportunities for behind-the-scenes experiences during morning skate sessions.
Benchmark International Arena hosts a variety of events beyond hockey, such as music concerts and branded entertainment like Monster Truck Jam. Johnson stated that this partnership is expected to provide significant exposure for Florida Orange Juice to millions of consumers nationwide.
Johnson emphasized the health benefits of their product: “Florida Orange Juice is The Original Wellness Drink. An 8-ounce glass of what we grow — the world’s best 100% orange juice — is an excellent source of vitamin C, has electrolytes like potassium and magnesium, and other nutrients to support hydration, workout recovery and overall immune system wellness. We provide a functional beverage that’s perfect for athletes, fans and families looking for valuable health benefits that’s easy to serve and tastes delicious.”
He also noted ongoing efforts by the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) marketing team to maintain visibility for Florida Orange Juice among modern consumers: “Our marketing team at the FDOC is constantly working to keep Florida Orange Juice front-and-center for the modern juice consumer, and this is one of the many ways in action.”
Johnson acknowledged uncertainty regarding the timing of their October forecast but expressed optimism about industry recovery efforts. He congratulated participants in recent industry initiatives aimed at replanting citrus trees: “Congratulations to CRAFT for an overwhelming application round and thank you to all of you who are ready to do the work of getting trees in the ground.”
Steve Johnson serves as Chairman of the Florida Citrus Commission—which oversees operations at FDOC—and operates Johnson Harvesting, Inc., based in Wauchula, FL.
