The Washington D.C. Advocacy Trip is an important part of OEP’s government affairs program, which seeks to influence public policy at the federal, state, and local levels to ensure broad-based prosperity throughout the region. We hope you can join us on future trips and participate in other advocacy efforts.
By Bob O’Malley
When regional leaders from government, business, and community organizations unite with one voice in the nation’s capital, people pay attention. That’s exactly what happened during the Orlando Economic Partnership’s (OEP) 2025 Washington, D.C. Advocacy Trip—a high-impact effort to elevate the Orlando region’s federal priorities at the highest levels of government.
From critical infrastructure to the future of high-tech industries, semiconductors and more, the conversations sparked in D.C. have the potential to shape the Orlando region’s trajectory for years to come.
The OEP recently led a successful advocacy trip to Washington, D.C., bringing together an impressive delegation of regional leaders — including mayors, commissioners, senior business executives, and community stakeholders — to advocate for the Orlando region’s top federal policy priorities.
The 2025 Washington D.C. Advocacy Trip was sponsored by BakerHostetler and included high-level meetings with both of Florida’s U.S. Senators—Rick Scott and Ashley Moody—as well several Congressional members, including Representatives Maxwell Frost, Mike Haridopolos, Cory Mills, and Darren Soto. In addition, meetings were held with key agency staff with the Federal Transit Administration and National Science Foundation.
Three top policy priorities were the focus of this year’s trip, with small groups formed and meetings scheduled to address each specific issue. The focus of OEP’s 2025 advocacy trip was to:
- Support investment in the Orlando region’s semiconductor ecosystem, including the NSF Florida Semiconductor Engine and Department of Defense Industrial Base & Analysis (IBAS).
- Support the development of the Sunshine Corridor which will extend SunRail and Brightline passenger rail service from Orlando International Airport to the existing north-south SunRail line and then to the Orange County Convention Center, the region’s theme parks.
- Preserve PEO STRI and its modeling, simulation, and instrumentation capabilities to support training programs for the Army’s worldwide activities.
The trip included some fun events as well, allowing trip participants to network and build stronger relationships with each other. The first evening featured a reception at BakerHostetler’s D.C. office, followed by smaller group dinners at some of Washington, D.C.’s popular restaurants. On the second evening, participants were treated to dinner at the highly rated Italian restaurant Grazie Nonna. Congressman Byron Donalds stopped by the dinner, and after individual conversations with almost everyone, spoke to the entire group about the importance of Orlando to Florida’s economy.
An exclamation point on the trip was provided on the final morning. BakerHostetler partner Mark Touhey gave a presentation about the efforts behind bringing Major League Baseball and the Washington Nationals to DC in 2005. Following the presentation, the group was treated to a private, behind-the-scenes tour of Nationals Park. The presentation and tour were timely given current interest in bringing professional baseball to Orlando.
The Washington D.C. Advocacy Trip is an important part of OEP’s government affairs program, which seeks to influence public policy at the federal, state, and local levels to ensure broad-based prosperity throughout the region. We hope you can join us on future trips and participate in other advocacy efforts.