The Emerging Technology Industry in Orlando

Its exciting to be in the middle of a renaissance, when a city begins to take shape and form and mature into a dynamic kaleidoscope of color, ethnicity, art, technology, business, and politics. We are seeing the transformation of a city right infront of our eyes. For most people outside of this city Disney, Universal Studios, sunshine, the beach, theme parks, and vacation are the usual word associations that come up with the mention of Orlando. For residents of this city its a different exercise in word association. Diversity, variety, culture, new business, and technology are becoming commonly used words. Companies like Darden Restaurants, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumann, NASA, Florida Hospitals, Pulte and Ryland Homes, and Siemens to name a few are bringing the best and brightest talent to the city. The University of Central Florida has morphed and grown into the 6th largest university in the United States serving as a feeder for a growing city.

Please join me on this medium. Post your comments, let’s engage intellectually Orlando!

There is a diverse spectrum of industries ranging from tech to tourism and Florida provides a competitive pro-business climate with no personal income tax; Orlando is the #1 Market for Entrepreneurs including Harold Mills, CEO of Zero Chaos 2007 nominee for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in Florida. Even though Florida is constantly labeled as the retiree state, Orlando has one of the youngest workforces in the country with a median age of 36 and 64% of the population under the age of 44. It also ranks #5 as America’s most wired city. With all of this duly noted how come there is a general feeling of apathy to diversity and business opportunities? How come in a city with so much diversity things are still so clearly defined in color and race? Why is that with all these great statistics professionals in Orlando seem to be paid below the national average? I will like to hear from you on your views of this city, the opprtunities, challenges, stereotypes, frustrations, and successes.

(Economic data and facts taken from the Metro Orlando EDC)