Welcome to this week’s Regional Perspective, where I share stories that bring the Orlando 2045 Vision to life and highlight the progress shaping our region’s future.
1) Orange County Mayoral debate recap – As voters prepare to elect Orange County’s next mayor ahead of the August 18 primary election and November 3 general election, this week’s debate on WFTV Eyewitness News 9 offered an important look at the leadership priorities that will help shape our region’s future. With direct responses to the community’s most vocalized issues including how Orange County’s $9 billion budget should be spent, Amendment 3, changes to Downtown Orlando, growing jobs and finding smart solutions to housing affordability and more transportation options, the hour-long debate offered a deeper look into how the candidates would lead Orange County in the future. If you didn’t see it live, I encourage you to watch it here.
2) An exclusive look at the mission behind Artemis II – This week on The City Playbook, I sit down with Barry Bohnsack, Production Planner for Lockheed Martin’s Orion spacecraft program, to discuss the nation’s most important aerospace and space exploration hub. This episode will take you behind the scenes of the Artemis Program, explaining how the Orion spacecraft is designed, assembled, and prepared for missions beyond Earth’s orbit. You’ll also hear how Central Florida public schools and robotics competitions help build NASA’s next generation of spacecraft. You won’t want to miss this episode! Be sure to like, share and subscribe to The City Playbook podcast.
3) Tourism continues to boost Central Florida’s economic growth – A new collaborative regional study from Visit Orlando, Tourism Economics, the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association (CFHLA), Experience Kissimmee, and Seminole County underscores the tremendous impact tourism continues to have on our economy. In 2025, Central Florida’s tourism industry generated a record $98.6 billion in economic impact, including $62.9 billion in direct visitor spending, up 5% from 2024 and equivalent to more than $172 million spent every day across the region. Tourism also supported more than 476,000 jobs and generated $7.1 billion in state and local tax revenue that helps fund public safety, transportation, education and other community services. Notably, the Tourism Development Tax accounts for only 7% of the total tax revenue generated, highlighting the far-reaching benefits tourism offers to residents, businesses, and communities throughout the region. Read more.
4) AI’s impact on the Orlando region’s talent pipeline – It’s clear Artificial Intelligence is reshaping workforce needs but exactly how is the topic of a story, published this week, on Central Florida Public Media. In it, our Senior Vice President of Research & Strategy Neil Hamilton, talks about how companies are looking to “do more with less,” by using AI to fill workforce gaps. The story examines how AI is contributing to a slowdown in job growth and creating new challenges for recent graduates entering the workforce. Neil notes a sharp increase in demand for AI-related skills, underscoring the need for talent development and reskilling to help workers remain competitive in a rapidly evolving economy. You can read or listen to the full coverage here.
5) Be sure to share your business perspectives – The Q3 Orlando MSA Business Conditions Survey, powered by OUC—The Reliable One and conducted with Stetson University, is now open. Help shape the region’s economic landscape by sharing your insight on local business performance, challenges, and opportunities. This quarter’s special topic revisits workforce challenges and opportunities for local businesses. Take the survey today.
Programs & Events
Leadership Orlando Class 111 // August 14 Enrollment Deadline // LEARN MORE & ENROLL
LEADForward Roundtables Fall 2026 Cohort // August 14 Application Deadline // LEARN MORE & ENROLL
Leadership Orlando Alumni Association – Stay connected, continue leading, and help shape what’s next for our region // LEARN MORE & JOIN
Listening to Leaders: Leading Through Innovation // August 21 // Participation open to Leadership Orlando Graduates ONLY // Questions?Nate.Edmund@orlando.org
2026 Executive Leadership Mission to Austin, presented by Travel + Leisure – Sept. 23-25 // REGISTER TODAY // Interested in being a sponsor? Contact Katie.Thomason@orlando.org
ICYMI
U.S. News recognition reflects high-quality care close to home for Central Florida patients – U.S. News & World Report and AdventHealth
Orlando Health opens new children’s pavilion transforming pediatric specialty care in Central Florida – Orlando Health
Travel + Leisure Co. named to Business Insider’s Americas high-growth companies 2026 list – Business Wire
Orlando Dreamers seek millions for new stadium – WFTV
Dr. Phillips Center pitches master plan – Orlando Business Journal