We are grateful to the candidates who stepped forward to serve their communities and proud to support those who champion a strong business climate, a thriving tourism industry, and a prosperous Central Florida region.

 

On behalf of the CFHLA PAC, we extend our sincere congratulations to our eight endorsed candidates who were elected outright during the August Primary Election and the remaining eight who have moved onward to November!

Recently, the Orange County Tourist Development Tax (TDT) Citizens Advisory Task Force completed its review of proposals for future unallocated TDT revenues and advanced a slate of recommendations to the Tourist Development Council (TDC) and Board of County Commissioners (BCC).

CFHLA would like to first thank Allied Relations Council Board Chair Jackie Bozzuto of Lowndes, who represented CFHLA throughout the Task Force process. Additionally, Immediate Past Chair of the CFHLA Board of Directors Chris Mueller of the Hilton Orlando, also served as a representative on the Task Force. We are grateful to both of them for their time, thoughtful leadership, and commitment to asking important questions and ensuring the perspective of the Central Florida's hospitality industry was represented during these discussions.

Over the course of just a few weeks, the Task Force was asked to review the statutory requirements governing TDT expenditures, the history and existing commitments of TDT funding, and evalutate more than 20 projects and programs that requested more than $3 billion in TDT funding.

In the end, the Task Force recommended 12 projects and programs for consideration, while declining to recommend several major proposals, including the Orange County Convention Center expansion and a new major sports fund that would drive significant sports tourism business to our destination (such as College Playoff Games, International Sporting Events, etc.).

CFHLA remains deeply disappointed by the accelerated pace of this process and the limited time provided to fully and properly evaluate proposals of this magnitude. Decisions involving billons of dollars in future tourism revenues deserve a thoughtful, transparent, and data-driven review that allows stakeholders to fully understand the long-term financial commitments and potential return on investment for our tourism economy.

 

Therefore, as this process moves forward CFHLA will be working diligently with our industry partners, elected leaders, and community stakeholders to identify a resolution that best serves Orange County’s tourism and hospitality industry. We will continue to strongly advocate for responsible and strategic investments of TDT revenues that enhance our tourism economy, generate measurable returns, support continued visitation, and recognize the hotels and hospitality businesses that generate and collect these critical tourism dollars. 

This week, CFHLA’s Governmental Affairs Committee convened again for another engaging panel discussion featuring Senator Jason Brodeur, Representative Nan Cobb, and Representative Ra’Shon Young. The conversation provided CFHLA members with an opportunity to hear directly from several of Central Florida’s legislative leaders about the 2026 Legislative Session and the issues shaping the region’s hospitality and tourism industry. The discussion included a wide range of priorities such as the future of the Tourist Development Tax (TDT), higher education and workforce development, workforce housing, infrastructure needs, and other issues impacting Central Florida’s continued growth.

 

The discussion also looked ahead to the upcoming property tax ballot initiative and the potential implications for businesses, residents, and local governments. Lastly, the panel highlighted the importance of continued engagement between the hospitality industry and elected officials as Central Florida navigates significant economic and policy decisions.

We truly appreciate Senator Brodeur, Representative Cobb, and Representative Young for sharing your perspective this week and for engaging directly with our members on the issues that matter most to the regional hospitality community!

As the Orlando region continues to grow, local businesses are navigating an evolving economic landscape filled with both opportunities and challenges. Understanding how businesses are experiencing current conditions is essential to helping shape programs, policies, and priorities that support a strong and resilient regional economy.

 

We encourage our members to once again participate in the Orlando Economic Partnership’s Q3 2026 Orlando MSA Business Conditions Survey, powered by OUC. The quarterly survey is open to businesses across Lake, Orange, Osceola, and Seminole Counties and takes less than five minutes to complete. Your feedback provides valuable, real-time insight into business confidence, challenges, opportunities, and economic outlook across the region. This quarter’s survey takes a special look at housing affordability and its impact on businesses, a key economic headwind facing the region. Your participation helps ensure the Orlando region’s economic analysis reflects the experiences and perspectives of the local business community. Take the survey and help shape the region’s economic future!