August 28, 2025

 

Hospitality Industry Stands Strong with
Visit Orlando at BCC Meeting

On Tuesday, August 26, 2025, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) held its regularly scheduled meeting, which included two key items related to tourism. First, Visit Orlando presented its annual update which included their efforts to promote and grow tourism in Central Florida. This resulted in the Central Florida tourism industry generating a record for economic impact of $94.5 billion in 2024. This was followed by a presentation from the County Comptroller on the results of the audit examining Visit Orlando’s compliance with its 2019 agreement with the county.

 

Several of our board leaders including our Board Chair Chris Mueller and First Vice Chair Jon McGavin spoke in favor of the effective marketing and sales efforts of Visit Orlando, along with sharing their personal testimony as to the positive impacts that our industry has our team members and their families.

During the audit report discussion, the Orange County Comptroller’s office provided several recommendations, notably the proposed reclassification of certain non-Tourist Development Tax (TDT) funds as TDT-related expenditures. While the Comptroller and some commissioners suggested that these funds may have been “misused” or “misappropriated,” documentation and data indicate that all of these funds in discussion were generated outside of hotel tax collections. There has been no misappropriation of funds and regardless of reclassification, there is no expectation of funds returned.

 

Classifying items as TDT funds such as the ERC federal tax credit and/or participation fees for Visit Orlando's events, would be based on new rules of engagement and changing historical precedent. Essentially, this is a brand-new method for Visit Orlando to follow that is not laid out in their current contract with the County.

 

The audit also raised subjective interpretations regarding what constitutes “promotional” activity under the agreement, however subjective interpretations do not indicate a violation of an agreement. Some comments made by some of the county commissioners and by some members of the public during the meeting suggested an interest in broadening the allowable use of TDT funds to support non-tourism-related initiatives. However, any expansion of TDT fund usage beyond tourism promotion would require state legislative action and CFHLA support, not a decision by the BCC.

 

Visit Orlando remains committed to working collaboratively with the BCC and Comptroller’s Office to address the audit’s findings and to ensure continued transparency and responsible stewardship of all tourism-related funds. A follow-up update is expected to be presented to the BCC, in coordination with County Administration and Visit Orlando, in December to outline next steps.

 

CFHLA remains fully supportive of the great work Visit Orlando does for our industry and community. We truly appreciate all of our members who showed up in large numbers to the BCC meeting this week.

 

Recognizing Orlando's History, Investing in its Future

CFHLA, along with many of our hospitality leaders, were proud to attend Mayor Buddy Dyer’s State of the City Address last week, as the City of Orlando celebrated its 150th anniversary.

Mayor Dyer reflected on the city's rapid growth and commitment to making Orlando a vibrant place for everyone. Looking ahead, planned projects include enhancements to existing parks and venues, new outdoor amenities, and future renovations of Harry P. Leu Gardens, an Orlando Venue and CFHLA member. 

 

We thank Mayor Dyer and the City of Orlando for their vision, leadership, and dedication to making our community a place where hospitality, tourism, and business can thrive.

 

Register Today! Tee It Up for Tourism will be held

on September 25th

On Thursday, September 25th from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., the CFHLA Political Action Committee (PAC) will be hosting our annual fundraiser at Eagle’s Edge at Omni ChampionsGate.

 

This important fundraising event, sponsored by American Resort Development Association (ARDA), GrayRobinson, P.A., SeaWorld Orlando, Universal Destinations and Experiences and Walt Disney World, will give you the opportunity for Team Building and Political Networking, all in one fun night! We will have dozens of elected officials from across the region and there will be something for everyone!

 

By supporting this event, you will help our CFHLA PAC protect the interests of the hospitality and tourism industry by educating and mobilizing our members to become more politically active and supporting pro-tourism and pro-hospitality candidates during the upcoming 2026 elections.

 

You are not going to want to miss this! Register Today, by CLICKING HERE.

 
 

Reminder: Cast Your Ballot in the
September 2 Special Election 

Early voting is underway for the Orange County Special General Election for the Florida Senate, District 15 and the Florida House, District 40 seats.

 

📅 Early Voting: Now through August 31 | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
📅 Special Election Day: Tuesday, September 2, 2025 | 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

 

Be sure to cast your ballot! We encourage you to support both of our endorsed candidates including LaVon Bracy Davis for the vacant Senate District 15 seat and RaShon Young for the vacant House District 40 seat.

 

We look forward to working with each of these pro-hospitality champions, as we ensure that our region remains the best place to work, play, live and visit.

 

More information here: https://www.ocfelections.gov/SD15Election

 

Reminder: 2025 City of Orlando Elections this Fall

On November 4, 2025, the City of Orlando will be holding elections for the City Commission, Districts 1, 3 and 5.

 

Currently, the CFHLA PAC has endorsed Shan Rose for Orlando City Commissioner, District 5. The CFHLA PAC and PC will be announcing their endorsements for Districts 1 and 3 in early September.

 

As a reminder, the last day to request a Vote-By-Mail Ballot will be October 23rd and early voting will be held from October 27th - November 2nd.

 

If no candidate recieves more than 50%+1 vote, a run-off election will be held on December 9, 2025.

 

Regional Tourist Development Tax Update

Orange County

The Tourist Development Tax (TDT) collections received by Orange County for June 2025 were $33,698,100. That is a 10.3% increase compared to June 2024. 

Osceola County

Osceola County collected $7.5M in TDT for the month of June 2025, up 4% compared to the prior year. 

Seminole County

Seminole County announced that the Tourist Development Tax (TDT) collection for the month of May 2025 was $527,023.

 

Upcoming CFHLA PAC/PC Meeting

The next CFHLA PAC/PC Board of Directors Meeting will take place next week, Wednesday, September 3, 2025 from 8:15 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. at the CFHLA office.

 

Upcoming Governmental Affairs Meeting

The next CFHLA Governmental Affairs meeting will be held on Tuesday, September, 23 2025, from 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM at the Orlando World Center Marriott. 

 

DONATE to the CFHLA PAC

CFHLA MEMBERS - Please consider making a small donation of $50 via the link below to the CFHLA PAC/PC. All contributions help CFHLA expand its efforts to support Hospitality-Friendly candidates who are running for local and state offices in the future. Throughout the 2024 Election Cycle, 27 of 31 or 87% of the PAC endorsed candidates were elected into office.

 

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The mission of the Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association is to represent the Central Florida Hospitality Industry, by setting the standard of excellence through advocacy, collaboration, education, recognition, and service.

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