For the third consecutive year, Visit Orlando has been recognized as one of the Orlando Business Journal’s Best Places to Work in Central Florida.

This recognition is based on employee satisfaction across six key areas: communication and resources, manager effectiveness, team dynamics, individual needs, personal engagement and trust in leadership. Being one of only 80 companies selected is a true honor—and a direct reflection of your Visit Orlando team’s passion, collaboration and commitment to the Central Florida community, our members and the travel and tourism industry.

This honor reflects more than just employee sentiment—it speaks to the culture we’ve built together. A strong workplace culture starts with exceptional people. Our team remains our greatest asset. And when you hear directly from them, the impact of our culture truly comes to life.

After more than five years at Johnson & Johnson, Kathy Brown, now Vice President of Marketing, discovered something uniquely inspiring at Visit Orlando:

“Visit Orlando stands out in how it genuinely supports and values its employees—not just as professionals, but as people. I’ve worked in many organizations, and this one truly lives its core values every day.”

Giovana Kaiser began as a tradeshows and event coordinator and recently advanced to sales manager, a reflection of our commitment to internal growth:

"Visit Orlando is the best place to work because of the strong culture, deeply rooted in our core values. My favorite is 'We Orlando,' which celebrates having fun and truly living the destination through our work. For someone who genuinely loves this city, it doesn't get any better than that!"

Newer team members like vacation planner Malia Belleza quickly feel the pride and purpose that define our culture:

“There’s a shared pride that makes Visit Orlando truly special. From the moment I started in my role, it felt like a company that celebrates all people. Each team member brings an energy and pride you can feel throughout the company. It’s all about loving Orlando and showcasing our destination to residents and travelers from all over.”

This recognition highlights how our people strategy fuels real impact. From high-profile opportunities like NBC’s TODAY show and the MICHELIN Guide Ceremony to meetings and events with record-breaking attendance and impactful community engagement, our team continues to deliver exceptional results that elevate Orlando on the global stage.

Looking ahead, with such a strong team, we’re well-positioned to build on this momentum as we work together toward our vision: to be the most visited, welcoming and inclusive travel destination in the world.

Data & Trends

Weekly Hotel Metrics

Metro Orlando’s hotel occupancy rate for the week ending June 21, 2025, was 73.2% down 0.6% from the same week last year. The average daily rate for the week was $195.64, down 1.6% from last year. Room night demand surpassed prior year by 1.3% despite the lower occupancy rate due to the higher hotel room inventory that Orlando has added since last year (more than 2,500 rooms).

May 2025 Orlando Employment Report Summary

The state labor report for May showed a small increase in the Orlando MSA’s overall employment from April’s report with the addition of 1,600 jobs (+0.1%). The May unemployment rate in the Orlando MSA rose from April to 3.4% but remains lower than the Florida unemployment rate (3.5%).

The Leisure and Hospitality sector in the Orlando MSA grew from April to May by adding 2,100 jobs. It is up 3.8% from last year. Sectors within the Leisure and Hospitality industry:

• Food Services and Drinking Places grew 0.4% from April to May and is up 2.9% from last year.
• Arts, Entertainment and Recreation grew 1.1% from April to May and is up 3.6% from last year. 
• Accommodations grew 0.7% from April to May and is up 5.7% from last year.

Around the Destination

Thousands Of Backpacks Assembled for Students in Need at Great Big Backpack Build

A Gift for Teaching hosted its annual Great Big Backpack Build on June 18 at the Orange County Convention Center. As part of the Ready for Back-to-School summer campaign, the event provided essential school supplies to Central Florida students. Over 500 corporate volunteers — including Visit Orlando — from 36 teams gathered to assemble 25,000 backpacks filled with school essentials.

These backpacks will be delivered to more than 140 Orange County public schools with the highest need and to public schools in Osceola County. The event demonstrated corporate social responsibility by offering businesses meaningful team-building opportunities while supporting the local community.

The Pride Chamber Celebrates Achievements at State of the Chamber Luncheon

Today, the Pride Chamber hosted its annual State of the Chamber Luncheon at the National Entrepreneur Center. Gina Duncan, president and CEO at The Pride Chamber, delivered a keynote address, highlighting the Chamber’s accomplishments over the past year and setting the stage for continued growth and advocacy. Attendees also received updates from each of the Chamber Committee chairs, providing an in-depth look at ongoing initiatives and future plans across all program areas. The open forum encouraged collaboration and helped shape the future of the LGBTQ+ and ally business community.

Visit Orlando Engaged!

Orlando City SC Shines in St. Louis

This week, Orlando City SC took home a big 4-2 win on the road against St. Louis CITY SC at Energizer Park. Ramiro Enrique and Marco Pašalić each scored twice, with Pašalić now tied for the team lead in goals. Additionally, Martín Ojeda hit a major milestone with his 30th assist for the club. It was an exciting night to cheer on the Lions and proudly represent Orlando City SC on the road!

Destination Experience Preps for 2026 Conventions

Once organizations book their conventions in Orlando, Visit Orlando’s destination experience team steps in as the local experts around the destination. They work directly with meeting planners to build attendee excitement, ensure the event runs smoothly and connect them with the right local resources to make their event a success in Orlando. Their hands-on support helps create memorable experiences that keep groups coming back.

Recently, Carolyn Martin, destination experience manager, traveled to New Orleans to pre-promote the International Dairy-Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA) 2025 Annual Convention. The IDDBA show will be held in Orlando from June 7-9, 2026, with an estimated attendance of 10,600 people. Exhibitors from around the world will showcase new products to grocery stores, delis and bakeries.

Additionally, the destination experience team conducted a site visit with the American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (AAPM&R). Their convention is scheduled for November 2026 in Orlando, expecting over 3,000 attendees. By welcoming events like IDDBA and AAPM&R, Orlando continues to deliver dynamic, unforgettable experiences that inspire attendees and elevate the impact of every convention held here.

In the News

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