Join us on Friday, Dec. 11, at Hyatt Regency Orlando for Visit Orlando's Year End Celebration, bringing industry leaders, partners and colleagues together to recognize the year’s accomplishments and explore opportunities ahead in 2027 and beyond.

Guests will hear updates from Visit Orlando leadership and have opportunities to connect with colleagues from across Orlando's tourism industry.

Here’s what you can expect:

• Visit Orlando's Magical Dining, presented by Orlando Health Donation Announcement: Join us as we reveal the charitable impact of Visit Orlando's Magical Dining, presented by Orlando Health. This year's donation will benefit OCA Opportunity Community Ability. We'll also award $3,000 grants to six local nonprofits, one in each of Orange County's commission districts: Children's Safety Village, The Daily Bread, Nathaniel's Hope, NextStep Orlando, The Nurture Place and Victim Service Center.

• The Keys to High Performance: Internationally recognized pianist, entrepreneur, author and business leader, Felipe Gomez, joins us as this year's keynote speaker. Through a unique presentation that blends live piano performance, storytelling, humor and practical business insights, Gomez demonstrates how the habits and disciplines of elite musicians can help individuals and organizations achieve higher levels of performance, collaboration, innovation and resilience.
   
• Celebrating Visit Orlando's Board Chair: We'll celebrate the leadership and contributions of Barb Bowden, area managing director for Loews Hotels at Universal Orlando, as she concludes a two-year term as Visit Orlando's board chair. We'll also welcome new board appointments and mark the transition of board leadership during the official gavel exchange ceremony.

Register today to secure your seat at one of Visit Orlando's signature events.

Visit Orlando Connects With Community At Come Out With Pride

Thousands of residents and visitors gathered Oct. 17 for Orlando’s Come Out With Pride celebration, where Visit Orlando participated through our Orlando For All initiative.

Team members connected with attendees at a Visit Orlando booth offering destination information, giveaways and interactive experiences, then joined the parade alongside iHeartRadio, Johnny’s House and Visit Orlando member organizations. The float showcased Michael James Scott’s “Brighter” song, a love letter to Orlando that celebrates authenticity and belonging.

Thank you to the members who donated giveaway items and helped Visit Orlando connect with attendees!

Orange County Advances TDT Funding Recommendations For 13 Projects

Earlier this week, Orange County commissioners voted to advance recommendations for Tourist Development Tax (TDT) funding for 13 projects and programs totaling approximately $786 million.

The recommendations reflect a broad mix of investments, including arts and cultural programming, eco-tourism initiatives, sports and recreation facilities, tourism infrastructure and community venues throughout Orange County. Next, the package will be reviewed by the Tourist Development Council on Nov. 5 before returning to the Board of County Commissioners for final consideration on Dec. 1. 
   
 The recommended projects and programs include:

• Orange County Application Review Committee ARC Grant program 
• Orange County Natural Resource Tourism Infrastructure Grant Program 
• Orange County Eco-Tourism Grant Program 
• Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs 
• Dr. Phillips Charities Eatonville Museum of Culture and History 
• Creative City Project's Immerse Festival 
• 8 Waves I am Children’s Museum 
• Orange Audubon Natural History Museum at Apopka Birding Park 
• Florida Citrus Sports Parking Structure 
• City of Ocoee Forest Lake Golf Club and Conference Campus 
• Town of Eatonville CRA, Eatonville Heritage Tourism District 
• UCF Soccer Stadium and Track Facility 
• Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts Master Plan

Learn more

Data & Trends

Weekly Metrics

Metro Orlando’s hotel occupancy rate for the week ending Oct. 17 was 76.5%, up 5.2% from the same week last year, and was the highest rate recorded for the destination since April. Room night demand surpassed last year by 4.5%. The Average Daily Rate (ADR) for the week was $225.62, up 6.1% from last year. 

Advance bookings for next week’s reporting period are pacing level with last year, though the following week’s bookings are pacing far ahead again.

Visit Orlando Engaged!

Sports-focused Power Lunch

Sports tourism continues to create opportunities for Orlando businesses to connect with visitors before, during and after major events. During Visit Orlando's Power Lunch at Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel, more than 130 members and industry leaders gathered to learn how sports and live events drive visitation, economic impact and new opportunities for businesses across our destination.

The discussion featured insights from Visit Orlando Chief Marketing Officer Danielle Hollander, Florida Citrus Sports CEO Steve Hogan, Greater Orlando Sports Commission President and CEO Jason Siegel and tourism research expert Joseph St. Germain. Panelists explored Orlando's strong pipeline of future sporting events and shared strategies for converting event attendees into longer stays, repeat visits and broader destination experiences.

Key takeaways:

• Sporting events may bring visitors to Orlando, but destination experiences help turn a game trip into a longer vacation. 
• Businesses of all sizes can benefit by creating experiences, partnerships and promotions that connect visitors with more of what Orlando has to offer. 
• Orlando's pipeline of future sporting events creates opportunities to drive visitation and economic impact throughout the region.

Cruise Planners Conference Connects Orlando With 900+ Travel Advisors

Visit Orlando and six members connected with more than 900 travel advisors during the annual Cruise Planners Conference at the Fort Lauderdale Convention Center. The team positioned our destination for pre- and post-cruise stays, highlighting experiences that can encourage cruise travelers to extend their Florida vacations and spend additional time in Orlando.

Cruise Planners has more than 3,000 home-based offices, with land vacation packages accounting for more than 40% of its business. Its advisors generate millions of dollars in sales for our destination, making the conference an important opportunity to strengthen relationships, increase awareness of Orlando and support future bookings.

Visit Orlando Shares Destination Insights With Brazilian Professionals

Visit Orlando presented to 30 students and Brazilian professionals from American Global Tech University at Rosen College, highlighting tourism’s role in driving visitation, economic impact, job creation and Orlando’s overall success.

The session highlighted Visit Orlando's mission, the importance of destination marketing and how the travel and tourism industry contributes to the prosperity of our community. The students also gained insights into career opportunities within the tourism industry and the role destination marketing organizations play in supporting a destination's growth and success.

Across the Industry

Welcoming Adam Rogers To Visit Orlando

On Oct. 26, Adam Rogers will join Visit Orlando as vice president of travel industry sales. Adam will lead our global travel industry sales strategy, helping strengthen industry partnerships and identify new opportunities to grow Orlando's visitor economy. He will oversee our travel industry sales and market development teams, working closely with members and partners to support our destination's long-term growth.

With more than 30 years of experience across sales, marketing, product development and leadership, Adam brings a unique blend of global industry expertise and deep local knowledge. A longtime Orlando resident, he has worked for some of the travel industry's most renowned brands, most recently serving as vice president of market management for dnata Travel, part of Emirates Group.

Learn more

Around the Destination

A Conversation With José Andrés

More than 1,500 guests attended Winter Park Institute's A Conversation with José Andrés, Presented by Orlando Health at Rollins College's Warden Arena. The event attracted attendees from 28 states, four countries and Puerto Rico, for a discussion with chef, humanitarian and founder of World Central Kitchen José Andrés.

During the conversation he reflected on his journey and connection to Orlando, sharing, "I said very early on, one day I will open a restaurant in Orlando. And it was a dream that came true ... when you talk about the American dream, that's part of the American dream." Through personal stories and insights, Andrés inspired the audience with a message of service, community and the belief that each person has the power to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

As part of the event, Visit Orlando's cookbook, Orlando's Kitchens, was available for purchase, with author Pam Brandon signing copies for attendees. To continue the conversation from the Oct. 26 event, Visit Orlando will join the Winter Park Institute at The Ravenous Pig for a Reflect Forum Dinner featuring a José Andrés-inspired buffet and a conversation with cookbook author Pam Brandon, Chef James Petrakis of The Ravenous Pig, Jamilyn Salonga Bailey of Kaya and Mike Garcia of Everoak Farm. Purchase tickets here.

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