2019 Orange County Regional Economic Summit
Mayor Jerry L. Demings joined partners from across Central Florida and the Orlando Economic Partnership to host the 2019 Orange County Regional Economic Summit on March 29 at the Orange County Convention Center.
This year, more than 700 attendees and community leaders joined the Summit to hear about the region’s flourishing economy. Spectrum News 13 anchor Ybeth Bruzual presided as the event’s Master of Ceremonies.
Mayor Demings said Central Florida continues to lead the state in job growth, creating more than 52,000 jobs in 2018, a 4.2 increase from the prior year. Additionally, Mayor Demings provided an overview of Orange County’s unparalleled quality of life, robust workforce pipeline and world-class talent pool highlighting regional powerhouses Lockheed Martin, Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems and the $6 billion modeling, simulation and training industry representing 30,000 jobs with an average salary of over $78,000 annually.
Mayor Demings also presented a video titled, Voices of the Region, which highlighted representatives from various local small business and entrepreneurial programs. Following his presentation, Mayor Demings joined a panel discussion on the Orlando Economic Partnership’s 2030 report with Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Seminole County Chair Brenda Carey, Osceola County Chair Cheryl Grieb and Lake County Chair Leslie Campione. The panel was moderated by CEO and President of the Orlando Economic Partnership Tim Giuliani. The report includes input from industry leaders on where the Orlando region is headed in 2030.
Panelists discussed Central Florida’s strong industry sectors, growing and expanding industries and the importance of regional mobility through transportation. Their priorities are nurturing and growing a regional ecosystem and developing Central Florida as a hub for innovative entrepreneurship providing high paying jobs and economic advancement for all residents.
Sean Snaith, Ph.D., director of the University of Central Florida Institute for Economic Competitiveness, provided his annual forecast. In additional to insight on federal regulation, he provided an overview for Florida’s strong economic standing and Central Florida’s continued prosperity.
Watch the Summit
Voices of the Region Video