Lunch Session: Orlando Economic Overview and the Role of Redevelopment

Danielle Permenter, Chief Development Officer of the Orlando Economic Partnership, kicked off the visit with a presentation on Orlando’s rapid growth and its bold approach to creating a more diverse and resilient economy. She highlighted Orlando’s position as Florida’s fastest-growing job market, with over 1,000 new residents and jobs added weekly. Danielle emphasized the region’s robust talent pipeline, supported by over 500,000 higher-education students within a 100-mile radius, as a key enabler of its innovation-driven expansion.

Central to Orlando’s strategy is the ambition to develop “15-minute cities,” where residents can access work, education, healthcare, and recreation within a short commute, fostering connectivity and sustainability. Danielle detailed how investments in infrastructure and regional accessibility, including advancements in transportation, are laying the foundation for this vision while enhancing Orlando’s appeal to businesses. She also shared insights into transformative initiatives, like the NeoCity National Science Foundation grant, that position Orlando as a leader in cutting-edge industries.

Welcome Reception: Hot Topics

In this insightful fireside chat, Anne-Marie Hayward, Publisher of the Orlando Business Journal, shared an in-depth look at Orlando's dynamic growth and its approach to creating a more diverse and resilient economy. She highlighted emerging sectors such as technology, healthcare innovation, and real estate. She also addressed the city’s response to pressing challenges, such as affordable housing and talent retention, noting collaborative efforts among public and private sectors to develop sustainable solutions. As tourism remains a cornerstone of Orlando’s economy, she emphasized how businesses are balancing this foundation while fostering growth in non-tourism sectors.

Hospitality Suite

Thank you HDR for sponsoring our hospitality suite which served as the home base for the three days of the trip. This was a place for the entire group to recharge, get refreshments, and network.

Breakfast Session: Mayor’s Breakfast

Featuring Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings, and moderated by Travis County Judge Andy Brown, the session discussed strategies for housing affordability, population growth, and infrastructure investments. Mayor Buddy Dyer reflected on his 20-year tenure, emphasizing how collaboration and public-private partnerships have driven economic resilience and established Orlando as a hub for high-wage industries like life sciences and tech. Mayor Jerry Demings shared insights on balancing population growth with affordability through targeted investments and a focus on equity. Both leaders highlighted the importance of coordinated governance to sustain Central Florida’s rapid expansion, underscoring how infrastructure and housing play pivotal roles in maintaining livability for residents.

Mid-Morning Session: The Pivotal Role of Convention Centers

We spotlighted the pivotal role of convention centers in shaping local economies, featuring Mark Tester with the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC), and Daniel Brooks with Page. Moderated by Chuck Lipscomb at JE Dunn Construction, the discussion focused on the intersection of urban design, economic impact, and community benefit. Tester shared insights into the OCCC’s vital contributions to Orlando’s economy, emphasizing its role in driving tourism, bolstering hotel occupancy, and supporting local businesses. He highlighted how the center serves as a national model for operational efficiency and community impact, underscoring its commitment to sustainability and cutting-edge technology integration.

Brooks provided an urban design perspective, discussing strategies for future-ready convention centers. Drawing parallels between Austin and Orlando, he emphasized the importance of adaptability, connectivity, and prioritizing flexible spaces to meet evolving community needs. Brooks also explored opportunities for Austin to learn from the Orlando model, particularly in creating facilities that integrate seamlessly into the urban fabric while maximizing public space.

Lunch Session: Workforce Development

Dr. Tammy Humphrey, Senior Director of Talent Development at the Orlando Economic Partnership, and Nilda Blanco, Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at CareerSource Central Florida discussed Orlando’s shift toward skills-based hiring and innovative upskilling initiatives, including AI-powered learning solutions and blockchain credentialing networks. They shared insights into collaborative strategies with education and business leaders to align workforce training with industry needs. She emphasized programs focused on re-skilling post-COVID, using data-driven approaches to drive innovation and economic mobility. Both speakers underscored the importance of partnerships and adaptability to meet high-demand workforce needs, offering actionable takeaways for other cities.

Mid-Afternoon Session: Business Partnerships in Higher Education 

Panelists, including Joe Battista, Mike Harding, Valerie Mandel, and John Saboor, discussed how their institutions identify and prioritize industry partnerships to align educational programs with workforce demands. They shared successful collaborations that enhanced workforce readiness and highlighted the importance of gathering input from industry leaders to keep curricula relevant in a rapidly changing job market. The discussion emphasized how these partnerships play a key role in addressing skills gaps and preparing students to meet the evolving needs of the workforce.

Breakfast Session: Planning for Regional Competitiveness & Collaboration

Tim Giuliani, President & CEO of the Orlando Economic Partnership, shared his expertise on leading regional economic growth and innovation. He highlighted the creation of the Orlando Regional Digital Twin, which gained international attention in TIME, Bloomberg, and Fast Company, as a standout initiative.

Tim also shared insights from his experience merging multiple business organizations to form the Orlando Economic Partnership and how they’ve set benchmarks to measure success against other regions. He outlined the strategic priorities shaping the organization’s future, including the use of data analytics and AI in lead generation, and emphasized the importance of leadership programs that foster diversity and inclusion. The conversation provided a valuable look into how the Orlando Economic Partnership continues to shape the region’s economic landscape.

Mid-Morning Session: Philanthropy and Purpose

Kathy Ramsberger, President & CEO of Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, shared her remarkable journey in transforming the arts landscape in Orlando. Leading the development from its conception, the center has become one of the nation's premier performing arts venues, with a $625 million project that has shaped downtown Orlando into a cultural hub. Since opening in 2014, Dr. Phillips Center has grown into a $65 million annual enterprise, hosting over 4,000 performances and welcoming nearly 5 million guests each year. The Center’s commitment to community engagement is evident in the arts & wellness programs and education initiatives that have reinvested over $22.7 million back into Central Florida.

Lunch Session: Brightline

Ben Porritt, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Brightline, shared insights into the company’s vision for high-speed rail and its impact on Florida. Brightline’s goal has always been to create local benefits while enhancing connectivity, and Ben discussed the significant economic impact Brightline has had in Orlando, including benefits to businesses and neighborhoods from improved access. He also touched on the importance of fostering public-private partnerships, explaining how Brightline navigated collaborations with both sectors to gain support. He advised Austin leaders to consider how infrastructure projects can reflect the values of the community, ensuring they meet the needs of a growing city while promoting connectivity.

Brightline Tour

Delegates had the opportunity to tour Brightline's Orlando station. The tour highlighted the seamless integration of the Brightline terminal within the airport, offering travelers convenient connections to major destinations. Delegates also learned about the innovative design features, sustainability initiatives, and potential future expansions aimed at enhancing regional connectivity.

Mid-Afternoon Session: Air Services Updates

Delegates learned about Delta's transformative initiatives to enhance business and leisure travel experiences. Highlights included discussions on Delta's expansive global connectivity through Orlando and Tampa airports, supported by 111 weekly nonstop flights to Europe, Mexico, and South America. Updates on Delta's $14 billion in airport redevelopment projects emphasized innovations such as new concourses, upgraded lounges, and improved operational efficiency, including Austin Airport's strategic growth as Delta's future Texas gateway.