The Orlando Economic Partnership and Visit Orlando join communities across the region and nation to celebrate and recognize the contributions made by economic developers and the travel industry.
Orlando, Fla. – The Orlando Economic Partnership (the Partnership), the Orlando region’s economic and community development organization, and Visit Orlando, The Official Tourism Association® for Orlando, mark the week of May 8 to May 12, 2023, as Economic Development Week and National Travel and Tourism Week. During this week, communities across the region and nation celebrate and recognize the contributions made by economic developers and the travel industry to stimulate economic growth, cultivate vibrant communities, create quality job opportunities, inspire new businesses, and elevate the quality of life for all.
Since its inception in 2016, the Partnership supported a total of 161 business projects that are expected to create 23,500 new direct jobs and retain 12,500 jobs with average annual wages of $76,200, significantly higher than even the current regional average of $57,400, as well as $2.7 billion in payroll and involve $3.4 billion in capital investment since 2017.
This week celebrates the companies and local elected officials who support the work of economic developers, which often falls under the radar. Yet, this work to build a diverse regional economy is crucial to the community’s well-being and is essential for long-term sustainability and growth.
Tim Giuliani, Orlando Economic Partnership President and CEO
“Orlando is positioning itself as a gamechanger in the world of economic development. The region is reinventing how it markets itself to CEOs and site selectors who are looking to expand or relocate their businesses,” said Giuliani.
National Travel and Tourism Week, the annual celebration of the contributions of the U.S. travel industry, will spotlight the essential role that travel will play in driving economic growth and innovation through the theme #TravelForward. Travel serves as a catalyst for a productive U.S. economy and helps power the success of other industries.
In Orlando, the travel and tourism industry supports 31% of the workforce, over 392,000 jobs, generates $67.1 billion in economic impact and provides $5.3 billion in local and state tax revenue.
Orlando’s tourism industry is essential to Central Florida’s economy, creating jobs and strengthening our community’s culture and identity.
Cassandra Matej, Visit Orlando President and CEO
”Because of tourism, each Orlando household saves $6,412 in annual taxes. The revenue from tourism enhances the quality of life for residents and helps pay for critical services residents rely on such as such as education, public safety and infrastructure,” said Matej.
Economic Development Week, created in 2016 by International Economic Development Council (IEDC), the largest international professional trade association for economic developers, aims to increase awareness for local programs that create jobs, advance career development opportunities, and improve the quality of life in communities everywhere.
The Partnership worked with government partners in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties, as well as the City of Orlando, to declare May 8 to May 12, 2023 Economic Development Week in the Orlando region.
To celebrate Economic Development Week, the Partnership is launching social media videos from CEOs who share why they chose to operate their business in the Orlando region, as well as testimonials from professional economic developers who share the importance of economic growth. The Partnership is also showcasing the importance of economic development with billboards posted around the region and advertisements in local publications. A toolkit of content, graphics, images, videos and assets is available here.
Visit Orlando is celebrating National and Travel and Tourism Week with a a full schedule of activity by recognizing law enforcement, TSA and border patrol for welcoming visitors and keeping them safe; hosting a breakfast event for local Chambers of Commerce; staff from Visit Orlando and the Orange County Convention Center volunteering at Second Harvest Food Bank; and hosting Visit Orlando’s Signature Luncheon on May 11 in honor of National Travel and Tourism Week. To attend the luncheon, click here.
For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Justin Braun at 407.902.0211 or at Justin.Braun@Orlando.org or Denise Spiegel at 407.354.5571 or at denise.spiegel@visitorlando.com.
