Becoming a Global Creative Capital
Orlando 2045: Igniting Orlando’s Potential is a collaborative effort spearheaded by the Orlando Economic Partnership (OEP) that sets the stage for the Orlando region to emerge as a global leader in innovation, sustainability, and opportunity within the next two decades.
Orlando 2045 Includes Ambitious Goals
Guided by a commitment to collaboration, bold thinking, and a global outlook, Orlando 2045 is a roadmap to transform the region into a world-class hub for education, business, and entertainment.
By focusing regional leadership on prioritizing connectivity, resilience, and equitable access to opportunity for all, we’re shaping the Orlando region into a place where every resident can thrive, and where the future is truly Unbelievably Real®
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Narrowing the talent gap
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Enhancing transit and infrastructure
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Embracing modern urbanism
Download the Orlando 2045 Brochure
Learn more about the regional vision to transform Orlando from a fast-growing, major U.S. metro to a region for world-class innovation in education, business, entertainment, and beyond.
2025 Orlando Talent Report
Closing the Gap
A comprehensive analysis of the region’s workforce challenges and opportunities.
“Closing the Gap: 2025 Orlando Talent Report” concludes that Orlando remains one of the fastest-growing employment centers in the nation, yet 57 percent of businesses report recruitment difficulties, and nearly 60 percent face skills gaps.
Over the next five years, the region will see nearly one million job openings, with one-third in high-growth fields such as healthcare, digital and creative industries, and science and engineering.
The report also finds rapid technological changes and the rise of AI are reshaping employer needs, leaving only 18 percent of businesses confident their workforce is prepared.
The report calls for bold steps to strengthen the region’s talent pipeline, including:
- Embracing skills-based hiring to unlock new talent pools and reduce barriers to employment.
- Embedding the “Golden Skills Trifecta” of job-specific skills, durable skills, and digital literacy across education and workforce development initiatives to create an adaptable, competitive workforce.
- Scaling programs in high-growth fields and deepening industry, education partnerships, such as collaborations between UCF and Lockheed Martin, Valencia College and advanced manufacturing leaders, and AdventHealth with local nursing programs.
The OEP extends its gratitude to Curium Solutions and its CEO Daniel Entwistle, an OEP Board Member, for serving as presenting sponsor of the report.
“Our community is filled with incredibly creative leaders who are all coming together in the spirit of innovation and collaboration to play a role in shaping the future of Central Florida…”
– Rena Langley
SVP, Communications and Public Affairs, Disney Signature Experiences and Disney Consumer Products, Games & Publishing,
Imagine Orlando
in 2045
Will Orlando capitalize on its strengths, take advantage of its greatest opportunities, navigate around anticipated challenges, and harness the power of collaboration and partnership to create a future that benefits us all?
Our region’s business, elected, community, and everyday leaders hold the key to unlocking Orlando’s next 20 years.
We’ve embarked on a groundbreaking initiative with expertise provided by NEXT Generation Consulting (NGC) to shape the region’s strategic plan, and your voice is crucial to this conversation.
To help explain the visioning process, Orlando Economic Partnership President and CEO Tim Giuliani and NEXT Generation Consulting, Inc. Futurist Rebecca Ryan share more details on how it works in this video.
bringING 2045 into clearer view
How the Visioning Process Works
The visioning process relies on input from various stakeholders and government partners in the Orlando area and other business leaders, chambers of commerce, nonprofits, and others.
Thus, the NEXT Generation Consulting (NGC) team, along with OEP staff, investors, community and government leaders, convened over several months to examine demographics, business trends, and other prevailing economic winds and strategize how the three-county Orlando metro area can grow its economy, best serve its expanding population, and otherwise position itself for the midpoint of the 21st Century.
Representatives of these groups, with the help of the steering committee, guided the process by:
- Responding to surveys
- Attending meetings and workshop activities
- Narrowing ideas down to achievable strategies to help the metro area grow into the place it wants to be.
Visioning Surveys
Through a process known as a Delphi Panel, participants representing a cross section of the Orlando regional business community identified key themes that indicate the direction of the Orlando and Central Florida region. Participants then explored how likely substantial improvement or progress will be made on each theme by the year 2045 in addition to their anticipated impact.
The Big Sort
Held May 22 – 23, 2024, the Big Sort convened seasoned leaders, decision makers, and emerging leaders to discuss the trajectory of Orlando’s future.
During each workshop, diverse teams of Orlando’s business, community and elected leaders prioritized trends in society, technology, environment, economy, and politics that are most likely to impact Orlando.
All participants evaluated dozens of trends that will impact Orlando’s future, and weighted them based on the region’s readiness.
The results from these workshops informed the new set of strategic directions and priorities for the Orlando region.
“I believe that if we plan strategically as we continue to grow, we can transform our already wonderful region into a global creative capital…”
– Rena Langley
SVP, Communications and Public Affairs, Disney Signature Experiences and Disney Consumer Products, Games & Publishing
igniting orlando’s potential
Steering Committee
Rena Langley
Walt Disney Parks & Resorts
Tracey Stockwell
Universal Orlando Resort
PAST CHAIR
Steve Hogan
Florida Citrus Sports
Michael Brown
Travel + Leisure Co.
VICE CHAIR, FINANCE
Isaac Juarez
KPMG LLP
Dr. Alexander Cartwright
University of Central Florida
Jarrod Dillon
Orlando City Soccer Club
Randy Haffner
AdventHealth
Jennifer Evins
United Arts of Central Florida
Alex Martins
Orlando Magic
Tony Massey
Massey Services, Inc.
Cassandra Matej
Visit Orlando
John Rivers
4Rivers Smokehouse
Dr. Kathleen Plinske
Valencia College
Juan Quiroga
JCQ Services
Rasesh Thakkar
Tavistock Group
Dr. Maria Vazquez
Orange County Public Schools
Read More Orlando Economic Partnership News
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Allan E. Keen Named 2026 James B. Greene Award Honoree Press Release
Orlando 2045 poll shows strong support for SunRail expansion, more housing
Igniting Orlando’s Potential: Community Survey Launches for Orlando 2045 Vision Press Release
Orlando Economic Partnership unveils Semiconductor Manufacturing in Central Florida White Papers Press Release
