past event

Invest: Orlando 2020

OCTOBER 22, 2020
ORLANDO, FL

Orlando’s economic resilience in the face of unprecedented challenges, innovation and adaptation highlighted the launch of Invest: Orlando 2020.

In this time of uncertainty, it has never been more important to demonstrate the strength and overall resilience of the local community and economy. On Thursday, integrated media platform Capital Analytics provided an opportunity to shed light on the challenges and opportunities in the region as it launched its annual analysis, Invest: Orlando 2020, with a virtual business conference held via Zoom Webinar.

Known for its rapid growth, tourism and reputation as a major aerospace and aviation hub, Orlando is poised for continued growth and economic diversification even in the midst of current coronavirus-related challenges and uncertainty. Invest: Orlando dives into the top economic sectors in the county, including real estate, construction, utilities and infrastructure, transportation and aviation, banking and finance, legal, healthcare, education and arts, culture and tourism.

Like other parts of the nation, Central Florida has felt the economic constriction and health challenges created by the pandemic. But it has also experienced notable job expansion and continued work on capital projects, Jerry Demings, Mayor of Orange County, told the virtual audience in his opening keynote address. “In April, we launched the Orange County Economic Recovery task force to assist the county in developing a plan for reopening businesses in a safe and responsible manner. The 50-member task force met for several months and created guidelines for reopening businesses, launched a consumer confidence survey and reviewed the reopening plans for our theme parks and smaller attractions. We are also working with local partners to train tourism and hospitality workers to help lead them into new career pathways,” Demings said.  “As our economy slowly rebounds, I am confident that our business industries and tourism will recover.”

The pandemic has also allowed city and business leaders to collaborate on addressing recovery efforts and creating solutions for the socio-economic challenges highlighted by the pandemic. “The economy’s underlying strength, many business leaders believe, will provide for greater growth over the long term. Capital Analytics remains steadfast in our purpose: to deliver in-depth business intelligence through its print and digital platforms. Now more than ever, information is not only necessary, it is vital,” said Abby Melone, president and CEO of Capital Analytics.

The panels addressed the current economic climate as well as prevailing themes dominating the Orlando metro area’s economy: The current and future landscape of the healthcare sector and future development of Central Florida in the time of a pandemic. Max Crampton-Thomas, Regional Editor for Capital Analytics, kicked off the virtual conference as the moderator for “Keeping Orlando healthy: Current and future landscape of the healthcare sector,” which featured insights from Tony Jenkins, central region market president of Florida Blue; Jennifer Wandersleben, president and CEO of Acute Care Services – AdventHealth Central Florida; and Babette Hankey, CEO of Aspire Health Partners.

“The pandemic has shined a light on healthcare disparities that exist across the nation. A Lot of those who are being impacted and affected are Hispanics and African Americans. Florida Blue is joining forces with local organizations like Lift Orlando to make sure local communities are getting the healthcare services they need. We are also the only health insurer in the state that offers plans in all 67 counties. It is a way for us to make sure we are helping people get the various options they need to get in front of a healthcare professional,” said Jenkins.

The second panel, “Continued Development of Central Florida in the wake of a pandemic,” was moderated by Jason Perkins, shareholder of Carlton Fields, and featured insights from Phil Brown, CEO of Orlando International Airport; Mark Israel, CEO of Universal Engineering Sciences; and Gary Huttmann, executive director of MetroPlan Orlando.

Almost 400 high-level guests and officials from Orlando’s key industries and economic institutions tuned into the event via Zoom Webinar. For those who missed the event or would like to revisit some of the highlights from the day, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onP9AnRvlqE

Orlando’s economic resilience in the face of unprecedented challenges, innovation and adaptation highlighted the launch of Invest: Orlando 2020.

Orlando, FLA—In this time of uncertainty, it has never been more important to demonstrate the strength and overall resilience of the local community and economy. On Thursday, integrated media platform Capital Analytics provided an opportunity to shed light on the challenges and opportunities in the region as it launched its annual analysis, Invest: Orlando 2020, with a virtual business conference held via Zoom Webinar.

Known for its rapid growth, tourism and reputation as a major aerospace and aviation hub, Orlando is poised for continued growth and economic diversification even in the midst of current coronavirus-related challenges and uncertainty. Invest: Orlando dives into the top economic sectors in the county, including real estate, construction, utilities and infrastructure, transportation and aviation, banking and finance, legal, healthcare, education and arts, culture and tourism.

Like other parts of the nation, Central Florida has felt the economic constriction and health challenges created by the pandemic. But it has also experienced notable job expansion and continued work on capital projects, Jerry Demings, Mayor of Orange County, told the virtual audience in his opening keynote address. “In April, we launched the Orange County Economic Recovery task force to assist the county in developing a plan for reopening businesses in a safe and responsible manner. The 50-member task force met for several months and created guidelines for reopening businesses, launched a consumer confidence survey and reviewed the reopening plans for our theme parks and smaller attractions. We are also working with local partners to train tourism and hospitality workers to help lead them into new career pathways,” Demings said.  “As our economy slowly rebounds, I am confident that our business industries and tourism will recover.”

The pandemic has also allowed city and business leaders to collaborate on addressing recovery efforts and creating solutions for the socio-economic challenges highlighted by the pandemic. “The economy’s underlying strength, many business leaders believe, will provide for greater growth over the long term. Capital Analytics remains steadfast in our purpose: to deliver in-depth business intelligence through its print and digital platforms. Now more than ever, information is not only necessary, it is vital,” said Abby Melone, president and CEO of Capital Analytics.

The panels addressed the current economic climate as well as prevailing themes dominating the Orlando metro area’s economy: The current and future landscape of the healthcare sector and future development of Central Florida in the time of a pandemic. Max Crampton-Thomas, Regional Editor for Capital Analytics, kicked off the virtual conference as the moderator for “Keeping Orlando healthy: Current and future landscape of the healthcare sector,” which featured insights from Tony Jenkins, central region market president of Florida Blue; Jennifer Wandersleben, president and CEO of Acute Care Services – AdventHealth Central Florida; and Babette Hankey, CEO of Aspire Health Partners.

“The pandemic has shined a light on healthcare disparities that exist across the nation. A Lot of those who are being impacted and affected are Hispanics and African Americans. Florida Blue is joining forces with local organizations like Lift Orlando to make sure local communities are getting the healthcare services they need. We are also the only health insurer in the state that offers plans in all 67 counties. It is a way for us to make sure we are helping people get the various options they need to get in front of a healthcare professional,” said Jenkins.

The second panel, “Continued Development of Central Florida in the wake of a pandemic,” was moderated by Jason Perkins, shareholder of Carlton Fields, and featured insights from Phil Brown, CEO of Orlando International Airport; Mark Israel, CEO of Universal Engineering Sciences; and Gary Huttmann, executive director of MetroPlan Orlando.

Almost 400 high-level guests and officials from Orlando’s key industries and economic institutions tuned into the event via Zoom Webinar. For those who missed the event or would like to revisit some of the highlights from the day, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onP9AnRvlqE

invest orlando panel
invest orlando