Orlando, the nation’s twentieth largest DMA with over 3.5 million people, is the fastest growing market in the entire nation. The population is expected to increase by 92,700 people annually, through 2012.  Orlando is a destination market, hosting more than 52 million tourists in 2007. More than 55 million visitors are expected to have vacationed here by the end of 2008, with the increase coming primarily from domestic travelers.

In addition to a strong tourism industry, Orlando is home to a wide variety of businesses including entertainment, construction, bio-med, and technology. Top employers in the DMA include Walt Disney, Adventist Health System, and General Electric.

Recent developments:

• Construction of the University of Florida’s four-story, $68 million Medical School began   with hopes of completion by fall 2009.
• The Burnham Institute opened in Lake Nona, making Orlando a key player in the $700 billion biomedical industry.
• The Winter Garden Village at Fowler Groves opened its doors, with nearly 1.2 million square feet of open-air shopping and major retailers.

Source:  2007 Demographics DK Shifflet & Asociates; U.S. Department of Commerce, office of Travel & Tourism industries; Orlando CVB Research Department