As anticipated, the new Congressional Redistricting Map, which was passed during the first 2026 Special Session in April and signed by the Governor, is now law and is scheduled to be used for the upcoming 2026 elections. Despite multiple lawsuits that are challenging its constitutionality, a judge recently allowed the map to remain in effect while litigation proceeds. In Central Florida, the biggest changes affect the Orlando-area districts currently represented by Congressman Darren Soto (CD 9) and Congressman Maxwell Frost (CD 10). The case is expected to continue through the appeals process and could ultimately shape the state’s congressional boundaries for upcoming elections.

 

The second 2026 Special Session, dedicated to the State Budget, began earlier this month and will conclude later this week. Lawmakers met for the full conferencing process two weeks ago where the bulk of the procedural work was done. Issues were then bumped to the full Appropriations Chairs in both Chambers to make final decisions, and a complete budget bill was released on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 for the Legislature to take a final vote on Friday, May 29, 2026. CFHLA is currently reviewing the final budget and will be releasing our 2026 Post Legislative Session Report next week, as we wrap up the 2026 Florida Legislative Session.   

 

Finally, another Special Session has been officially scheduled to discuss Property Taxes. This Session will begin next week on Monday, June 1, 2026 and run through Wednesday, June 3, 2026. To date, we still do not have a bill filed that will be discussed, but CFHLA will be monitoring closely between now and Monday for that to be released and considered.

The Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association’s (CFHLA) Political Action Committee (PAC) and Political Committee (PC) recently announced their first round of bipartisan state and local endorsements for the 2026 election cycle, highlighting candidates in Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties who support the region’s tourism and hospitality industry. The ten (10) endorsed candidates include County Commissioners, State Representatives, and a State Senator.

 

Each of these candidates have demonstrated a strong understanding of the vital role tourism plays in Central Florida’s economy and a commitment to advancing policies that support local businesses, residents, and continued economic growth throughout the region.

 

Later this summer, the CFHLA PAC and PC will be conducting further interviews for the remaining candidates - who are running for state and local office - and will make our final recommendations then.

 

CLICK HERE to view the CFHLA PAC and PC State and Local Endorsed Candidates.

The Central Florida tourism and hospitality industry continues to benefit from the remarkable growth and global connectivity driven by the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA). In its 2025 Annual Report, GOAA highlighted several milestone achievements at Orlando International Airport, including the expansion to more than 170 nonstop destinations and the addition of approximately 600,000 international passengers over the previous year. New international service offerings - including the first-ever nonstop charter service between Florida and the Asia Pacific, year-round flights to Madrid, and the return of Air France service to Paris - further strengthen Orlando’s position as a premier global destination. These expanded air connections not only enhance accessibility for travelers but also create meaningful opportunities for the region’s hotels, attractions, restaurants, and tourism partners.

 

GOAA’s continued investments in both Orlando International Airport and Orlando Executive Airport reflect a strong commitment to the long-term success of the Central Florida tourism and hospitality industry. Guided by its new vision initiative, “Elevating MCO & ORL: The Vision Forward,” GOAA is prioritizing enhancements focused on customer experience, infrastructure, community, and people.

Some of these planned improvements include expanded parking capacity, a modernized baggage handling system, additional moving walkways in Terminal C, and upgraded interiors and concessions in Terminals A and B. Each of these improvements will further elevate the visitor experience and we appreciate GOAA’s leadership for their forward-thinking investments, as we continue to support the growth, competitiveness, and economic vitality of our region.

A strong convention and events calendar continues to fuel Central Florida’s tourism economy, and the upcoming quarter at the Orange County Convention Center is expected to deliver impressive results for the region’s hospitality industry.

With more than 754,000 attendees anticipated - across 40 events - and an estimated $1.8 billion in regional economic impact, the Convention Center remains a key driver of visitation and business activity throughout the Central Florida Region. Some of these signature events include the Allstar World Championship, Premiere Orlando, and the AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships. Each of these events hosted at the OCCC attract visitors from around the globe, creating substantial demand for hotel accommodations, dining, transportation, and entertainment offerings throughout the region. 

 

CFHLA continues to recognize the significant role of the Orange County Convention Center and how it plays an critical role in sustaining the area’s long-term growth and competitiveness as a premier meetings and events destination.

 

As we look towards the future, progress on the Grand Concourse Expansion (5A) will mark a significant milestone for the venue and the broader tourism community. Construction is now underway following final project approvals, signaling continued investment in infrastructure designed to support larger events and elevate the guest experience. However, we still need Orange County's support in order to complete 5B and meet the growing demand for future conventions, sporting events, and industry gatherings for many years to come. 

This week, CFHLA’s Governmental Affairs Committee held its most recent meeting at the Evermore Orlando Resort, bringing members and the NextGen Leadership Council together for a discussion focused on local education policies impacting the region.

The meeting featured OCPS Chief of Communications Scott Howat and Orange County School Board Member Melissa Byrd, as the special guests. Mr. Howat gave a presentation on the details of the proposed Special Millage Rate that will be on the ballot in November, and School Board Member Byrd answered questions from Committee members on the impact of the initiative should it pass or fail.

 

CFHLA will provide a more details on this proposed ballot initative later this summer, that will support our local schools in Orange County.

As Central Florida continues to experience economic growth alongside shifting market conditions, understanding the experiences and outlook of local businesses remains more important than ever. To help capture these insights, we encourage you to participate in the Orlando Economic Partnership’s Q2 2026 Orlando MSA Business Conditions Survey, powered by OUC. Open to businesses throughout Lake, Orange, Osceola, and Seminole Counties, the quarterly survey takes less than five minutes to complete and provides valuable real-time data on business confidence, economic trends, workforce challenges, and opportunities impacting our region.

 

This quarter’s survey will continue to examine key issues affecting the business community, including ongoing economic pressures and factors influencing regional competitiveness and growth. We encourage all members to share their perspectives and contribute to a stronger, more informed business community.