On July 31, the City of Orlando officially marked its 150th anniversary — a major milestone in our region’s history. What began as a small frontier town in 1875 has grown into one of the most visited and beloved destinations in the world. This anniversary served as a moment to reflect and spotlight the people, places and experiences that continue to shape Orlando’s identity.

While 150th anniversary activities are taking place throughout the year, yesterday’s special Day of Service served as a meaningful citywide celebration of giving back. Volunteers came together across all six city districts to pack hygiene kits and blankets, sort food donations, engage with seniors and clean up local parks and neighborhoods.

To further commemorate the occasion, Visit Orlando launched a special blog: “150 Ways to Celebrate Orlando’s 150th Birthday.” The list featured a wide range of experiences, including:

• Special events like the Orlando Philharmonic’s anniversary concert and exhibits at the Orange County Regional History Center
• Classic Orlando favorites such as airboat rides, Gatorland and Lake Eola’s iconic swan boats
• Local gems from neighborhood festivals and cultural tours to family-owned restaurants and outdoor adventures

This content was shared across our digital platforms and social media channels to help residents and visitors discover meaningful ways to celebrate the city’s past, present and future. The 150th anniversary is more than a celebration. It’s a unique opportunity to elevate Orlando’s story, support our community and invite the world to experience everything that makes our destination Unbelievably Real.

Visit Orlando Audit Update

This week, the Orange County Comptroller released the final audit report that reviewed Visit Orlando’s compliance with our agreement with Orange County for 2023.

As a valued member and partner of Visit Orlando, we wanted to share with you Visit Orlando’s response and the full report.

Visit Orlando recognizes and appreciates the recommendations provided by the Orange County Comptroller’s office. We’ve already worked through and resolved many new requests made by the comptroller and acknowledge there were opportunities for us to improve policies and processes.

As Orange County’s Official Tourism Association, we value our work and partnership with Orange County, which continues to result in significant economic and community impact.

We appreciate your continued support of our organization and destination. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at ceo@VisitOrlando.com.

Data & Trends

Weekly Hotel Metrics

Metro Orlando’s hotel occupancy rate for the week ending July 26, 2025, was 74.8% up 4.7% from the same week last year. The average daily rate for the week was $173.01, up 3.2% from last year. Room night demand surpassed last year by 6.7%.

Across the Industry

Danielle Hollander Named in Ragan’s Top Women in Marketing, Class Of 2025

Danielle Hollander, Visit Orlando’s chief marketing officer, has been named in Ragan’s Top Women in Marketing Awards, Class of 2025, in the Visionaries category. This honor celebrates the boldest, brightest and most innovative women in marketing today — exceptional leaders, strategists, creatives and analysts who are redefining how brands connect with the world. This year’s class includes professionals who are advancing bold strategies, delivering transformative campaigns and championing innovation within their organizations and beyond.

Throughout Danielle's 30-year career at Visit Orlando, she has led transformative initiatives that have helped shape the region’s tourism landscape, including the launch of the “Unbelievably Real” brand and Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining, presented by Orlando Health. Her strategic vision and innovative campaigns have helped elevate Orlando’s global reputation and contributed to the tourism community’s $92.5 billion economic impact. Danielle will be celebrated at the Top Women in Marketing Awards event in October. Congratulations, Danielle!

Allen Johnson Honored with IAVM Foundation Legacy Award

Allen Johnson, chief venues officer for the City of Orlando, was recently named the 2025 recipient of the International Association of Venue Managers' (IAVM) prestigious IAVM Foundation Legacy Award — a national recognition of his visionary leadership, mentorship and lasting contributions to the venue management profession. He was formally recognized at the VenueConnect Annual Conference and Trade Show in New Orleans, July 28–31. Since 2004, Allen has led the City’s Venues Department, overseeing some of our region’s most iconic spaces, including the Kia Center, Camping World Stadium, Tinker Field, Harry P. Leu Gardens and the Mennello Museum of American Art.

Under his leadership, more than $750 million in venue development and enhancements have transformed Orlando’s capacity to host global events. The award-winning Kia Center — named Sports Facility of the Year by Sports Business Journal — and the revitalized Camping World Stadium are just two examples of how Allen’s work has elevated our destination’s appeal. We are proud to celebrate a leader whose impact continues to make our venues more attractive, accessible and impactful — driving visitation and enriching the lives of both residents and visitors. 

Ashley Mayo Honored with Inaugural HPN 'Rock Your Hart Out' Heart Award

Please join me in congratulating Ashley Mayo, Visit Orlando's convention sales group development account manager, who was recently recognized with the first-ever “Rock Your Hart Out” Heart Award at the HPN VIP event in Boston, held July 14–16. HPN Global, one of the largest site selection and venue-finding companies in the industry, is known for its innovative approach to meeting planning and strong relationships across the hospitality sector.

Presented by industry leaders Bill Kilburg, Harold Batiste and Brien Arone, this award celebrates Ashley’s exceptional dedication and the meaningful impact she’s made in strengthening Visit Orlando’s relationship with HPN Global. Ashley’s passion for representing Orlando shines through in everything she does — and this recognition is a testament to how deeply that commitment resonates with our partners. We’re proud to have her on the team and grateful for the energy and excellence she brings to every opportunity.

Around the Destination

Back-to-school Sales Tax Holiday Starts Today

Florida’s Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday begins today and runs through Aug. 31. During this time, consumers can purchase qualifying items — such as clothing, footwear, backpacks and classroom supplies — without paying sales tax. The monthlong holiday supports families preparing for the school year and encourages spending at retail businesses throughout our destination.

In the News

Smart Meetings: Central Florida: where business meets adventure

Yahoo Lifestyle (Mexico): Everything you need to know about Orlando's Magical Dining

Marie Claire (Brazil): Orlando beyond Disney: nature getaways, fine dining, stunning stays, and local luxury

ConventionSouth: James Beard Award-winning chef opens steakhouse at Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin