Metro Orlando’s highly-visible entertainment industry has resulted in a worldwide brand associated with imagination, storytelling and customer service. But, tourism is only half of the region’s story. Behind the scenes, a $10 billion technology industry has grown up alongside the palm trees and theme parks.
Even more interesting is the growing crossover between technology and entertainment. Orlando’s strength in both of these industries has placed it at the forefront of this revolution and encouraged innovation in other sectors. Clear examples are in the digital media, life science, simulation and photonics industries. The entertainment and travel industry is also providing a workforce that is second to none in terms of customer service. This skill has been put to work at a variety of Metro Orlando companies that understand the client is number one.
Orlando’s labor market is strong and scalable. It is young, diverse and skilled – fully capable of meeting the demands of growing business operations.
- Metro Orlando has a technically savvy and customer-service oriented labor pool that is capable of meeting the demands of customer contact operations. The labor pool is sustained by nationally ranked in-migration of new residents seeking job opportunities and an affordable, high-quality lifestyle. Nearly 24% of the population is between the prime working ages of 18 to 34; an essential demographic supporting shared service operations.
- Metro Orlando is home to more than 25 colleges and universities and more than 50 professional and technical schools. Our workforce is highly educated and supported by a wealth of degree and continuing education programs throughout the region.
- Major corporations have chosen Metro Orlando for mission-critical customer service operations after extensive national and international site evaluations. Examples include: Oracle, AIG, Hewitt & Associates, Siemens, Bank of New York, America Online, Walt Disney World Resort, Bank One and Fiserv. Metro Orlando is also home to many notable corporate headquarters including: Darden Restaurants, Inc. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, AirTran Airways and Tupperware Brands Corporation. Orlando offers opportunity for growth, while achieving costs savings for businesses and employees.
- Metro Orlando is a global business platform with positive international name recognition equal to that of metropolitan areas two to three times its size. Yet Orlando has highly competitive business costs. Orlando’s infrastructure is strong and continues to grow, positioning the community for sustainable growth.
- Metro Orlando has the ability to move people and data at speeds companies demand. Orlando International Airport is a non-hub/spoke dependent airport with room to grow, competitive fares and a diverse, high frequency route structure. The region possesses relatively new and fully redundant and self-healing telecommunications infrastructure-- a benefit of more recent capital investment for asset development in the Southeast. Metro Orlando is the only MSA in nine southern states served by two incumbent local exchange carriers (BellSouth and Sprint). All major inter-exchange carriers are represented in the market.
- Metro Orlando is virtually the geographic center of Florida, offering almost equidistant access to the state’s other major metro centers. At the intersection of Florida’s Turnpike and Interstate 4, the region has quick access to both Interstates 75 and 95, providing expedient travel both northbound and southbound. The Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority recently finished the Eastern Beltway (SR417), and the new Western Beltway (SR429) is nearing completion. These two systems combined will provide a regional transportation loop connecting all major submarkets, and major residential and employment centers.
- When it’s time to fly, Orlando International Airport (MCO) boasts direct, non-stop service to 86 domestic cities and 16 international cities. Orlando International Airport is ranked by J.D. Power & Associates as “#1 in passenger satisfaction”. Air fares are competitive since its largest carrier controls only 20% of the flights.
Orlando’s affordable yet high quality of living supports the relocation of executive staff and the senior members of critical operations teams.
- Major corporations have relocated executive staff to Central Florida easily and have found little difficulty in relocating key, mid-level employees. This is due in part to the style and quality of living at appreciably lower costs.
- Much of Orlando’s sustained growth can be attributed to its moderate cost of living. Orlando offers diverse, affordable housing in proximity to a variety of employment centers supplemented by recreational and cultural amenities. More than just being affordable, Orlando is a new and exciting town. Orlando offers all the amenities of a mega market without the daily logistical headaches. Orlando boasts opera, ballet, a philharmonic orchestra, NBA basketball, PGA tour events, college bowl games, pre-season Major League Baseball, as well as all of the entertainment options associated with being known as the world’s #1 tourist destination.
- Orlando’s educational institutions have demonstrated the capability and expertise to fulfill the needs of sophisticated corporate operations.
- The University of Central Florida has grown with Metro Orlando boasting an astounding total enrollment of over 46,000 students. In its brief history, the University of Central Florida has quickly achieved recognition as America’s #1 partnership university. Their commitment to partnership is best represented by corporate and industrial affiliations with some of America’s best known companies, including Electronic Arts, Oracle, Siemens, Lockheed Martin, and Hewitt & Associates. These critically important relationships have driven the university’s programs to a high standard of excellence, exceeding the expectations of corporate recruiters and business leaders in the region.
- Metro Orlando is served by three community colleges--Valencia Community College, Seminole Community College, and Lake-Sumter Community College--which are committed to meeting the workforce needs of local businesses. Two years ago, these three schools set out to train 15,000 information technology workers over a three-year period. As of today, they have trained more than 11,000. Valencia Community College, which serves Orange and Osceola counties, ranks second in the nation in total number of associate degrees awarded and fifth in associate degrees awarded to minorities overall.
- Rollins College is the oldest recognized college in Florida, and is the top regional university in Florida according to US News & World Report’s annual rankings. The college’s Roy E. Crummer Graduate School of Business is noted for excellence in graduate management education and lifelong learning programs. Rollins currently has an enrollment of nearly 4,000 students from more than 40 states and 30 nations.
- Metro Orlando is home to more than 50 professional and technical schools whose specialties include aviation and aerospace, digital media, health services, computer software, nursing, customer service, hospitality management, and law.
Recent Metro Orlando Rankings:
- Orlando ranks in the nation’s top five cities for entrepreneurs. - BusinessWeek, July 2005
- Orlando ranks 2nd among Top Hot Cities for job growth. - Business 2.0, May 2006
- Florida ranks 5th for states with the most business-friendly tax systems - Tax Foundation, 2007
- Orlando ranks 3rd in INC’s Best Cities for Doing Business - INC Magazine, May 2006
- Orlando ranks 6th in Milken’s Best Performing Cities. - Milken Institute, 2006
- Orlando is named a top 10 Tech-Town and “Best Geek City” - Wired Magazine, January 2007
- Metro Orlando named “Major Market of the Year” - Southern Business & Development, 2005 & 2004
- University of Central Florida is the 7th largest university in the nation - Fall 2006
To Learn More About Our Programs, Please Click Here to Contact Us
You must have javascript enabled.
