The Business Backdrop

What's next for Orlando's luxury hotel and travel scene?

Tourism Reporter Patricia Tolley joins the Business Backdrop to talk about the fancier side of travel in Orlando. How has the region's hotel scene changed when it comes to luxury travel? Also, Rob DelliBovi, owner & CEO of RDB Hospitality Group [https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2025/12/03/rdb-hospitality-group-opens-lake-nona-office.html] shares insight on the changes in the luxury hospitality market, and the indicators that show a boom in the works. Curious about the stories behind The Business Backdrop? Click the links below to catch up. * High-end travel CEO opens Lake Nona office, says Orlando luxury market poised to explode [https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2025/12/03/rdb-hospitality-group-opens-lake-nona-office.html] * Westcourt site work underway, general contractor selected for $500M project [https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2026/05/06/westcourt-kia-center-church-street-jma-turner.html] * New Disney-area beachfront luxury hotel Conrad Orlando opens [https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2024/01/24/conrad-orlando-flagship.html]

What's happening in Winter Garden's historic downtown?

The Business Backdrop dives into one of the hottest topics on Central Florida's west side — Winter Garden's downtown change. The historic downtown has seen a rapid change in real estate ownership that has business owners and residents curious of what comes next. Commercial Real Estate Reporter JC Carnahan joins the show to share more on his findings about Winter Garden's transformation. Read the stories here: https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2026/04/21/winter-garden-retail-strategies-plant-street-cr… [https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2026/04/21/winter-garden-retail-strategies-plant-street-cra.html] https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2026/04/16/downtown-winter-garden-plant-street-bistro-sell… [https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2026/04/16/downtown-winter-garden-plant-street-bistro-sells.html] https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2026/04/02/exchange-winter-garden-plant-street-foundry-ant… [https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2026/04/02/exchange-winter-garden-plant-street-foundry-anton.html]

Is this downtown Orlando's future identity?

We are sticking in downtown Orlando for this episode of the Business backdrop. Orlando Business Journal Managing Editor Steven Ryzewski has an engaging conversation with First Capital Property Group's Jeré Matheny on activity in the central business district. What are some of the changes? Who's moving in and out of the downtown? Also, what does this spell for the overall region?

From the gridiron to the Moon: Central Florida’s next growth opportunities

n this episode of the Business Backdrop, we hit the sports and space sectors of Central Florida. The region is set to welcome another sports franchise in 2027 with the Jacksonville Jaguars coming to town. Also, the Artemis mission from the Space Coast opens a new frontier of opportunities for the region. Staff Writers Riley Benson and J.C. Carnahan join to share their insight. Want to read the stories? Here are the links: Jaguars coming to Orlando: https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2026/04/01/jacksonville-jaguars-camping-world-stadium-nfl.html [https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2026/04/01/jacksonville-jaguars-camping-world-stadium-nfl.html] Artemis II launch spells big business: https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2026/04/01/space-coast-nasa-artemis-ii-launch-moon-landing.html [https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2026/04/01/space-coast-nasa-artemis-ii-launch-moon-landing.html]

Tunnels in Central Florida? How Elon Musk's Boring Co. concept could work

The Boring Co., a tunneling firm by Billionaire Elon Musk, is the name in Orlando that could bring a new transportation concept to Orlando. The firm is working closely with a Universal-created infrastructure district to see how a new system could connect the tourism corridor. Orlando Business Journal Staff Writer Patricia Tolley joins Editor-in-Chief Richard Bilbao to discuss the topic. Also, Tolley talks with a tunneling expert on how the Boring Co. may approach the project.