The most visited destination is also

A Creative Hub

The companies that make Orlando one of the most visited vacation destinations in the nation also spearhead entertainment innovation used across the globe. A culmination of industry and education has exploded into a flourishing tech economy that supports not only the region’s massive theme park and attractions industry, but the expanding footprints of many other major corporations including Lockheed Martin, Darden Restaurants, Siemens and more.

  • 60K+ Tech Workers in Orlando

    Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) , 2023

  • Building Icon 1

    68-Acre Creative Village Supports a High-Tech Cluster in Downtown Orlando

  • Named a “Rising Star” City for Tech Employment and Job Growth

    Brookings Institute, 2022

The home of happiness

Featured Companies

Darden Restaurants, Inc.

Darden Restaurants, Inc.

Company: Darden Restaurants, Inc.

Phone: (407) 245-4000

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Electronic Arts

Electronic Arts

Company: Electronic Arts

Phone: (407) 386-4000

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Falcon’s Creative Group

Falcon’s Creative Group

Company: Falcon’s Creative Group

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IAAPA

The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions represents over 5,300 amusement-industry members in more than 100 countries worldwide and…

IAAPA

Company: IAAPA

Industry: Entertainment

Company Size (Employees): 0-50

ITEC Entertainment

ITEC Entertainment

Company: ITEC Entertainment

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SeaWorld Orlando

SeaWorld Orlando

Company: SeaWorld Orlando

Phone: (407) 351-3600

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Universal Orlando Resort

Universal Orlando Resort

Company: Universal Orlando Resort

Phone: (407) 363-8000

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Walt Disney Parks and Resorts

The Walt Disney World Resort is a Disney theme park resort located in Lake Buena Vista Florida, comprised of four theme parks,…

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts

Company: Walt Disney Parks and Resorts

Industry: Leisure and Hospitality

Company Size (Employees): 50000-100000

"Orlando’s large pool of young and diverse technical talent filled the core need of our fast-growing tech company."

– Barbara Staruk, Chief Growth Officer at Epos Now

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It’s a Smart world

After All

The leading theme park companies have built specialized technical and creative teams to build the next generation of entertainment experiences. Disney and Universal Orlando employ hundreds of experts in 3D modeling, software development, computer-aided design and visual effects. Orlando’s entertainment powerhouses along with media companies such as Electronic Arts and Golf Channel create the need for a talent base with the right combination of technical and creative skills.

  • Disney Employs 232 Imagineers in Orlando

  • Universal Orlando Employs 120+ Creative Experts

  • UCF Rosen College in Top 5 Best Hospitality Schools in the World

    CEOWorld, 2020

The theme here is

Success

And to meet the demand for creative talent, Orlando universities are expanding their contribution to the talent pipeline for the hospitality, theme park and attraction’s technology ecosystem.

CityLab Orlando

UF Master of Science in Architectural Studies with a concentration in Theme Environments Integrations.

UCF MFA Track – Themed Experience

UCF is among the first institutions in the country to offer a degree program dedicated to the design and creation of themed experience.

Themed experience

Programs

UCF and the University of Florida (UF) offer qualifications in Themed Experiences. At UCF, the degree is offered as a track in its Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree. UF offers a Master of Science in Architectural Studies with a concentration in Themed Environments Integration. 

Nationally ranked for

Game Development

The Princeton Review places UCF’s Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy and Full Sail University in the top graduate programs to study game design.

Full Sail University

Full Sail University is recognized by the Princeton Review as one of the best schools to study game design.

UCF’s Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy

UCF’s video game graduate program ranks No. 5 in the world while its undergraduate game design program ranks No. 13, according to The Princeton Review and PC Gamer magazine. 

UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality

The University of Central Florida’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management is one of the largest and fastest-growing hospitality programs in the nation with more than 3,500 undergraduate students.

The DAVE School

The Digital Animation & Visual Effects (DAVE) School, located in on the backlot of Universal Studios, produces skilled graduates in the fields of digital entertainment and interactive media.

fueling the creative

Talent Pipeline

Additional specialized university programs include UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality and Management and the DAVE School, which graduated a skilled labor force with direct connections to the entertainment ecosystem.

Major Developments

It’s more than fun and games here – these companies mean business.

EA Sports Moves to Downtown

Electronic Arts announced the construction of a new $62 million, 180,000-square-foot, five-story building in the heart of downtown Orlando.

Arrow Sky Media Expands to Orlando

Arrow Sky Media, LLC, a digital technology firm, is relocating its international headquarters from Nashville to Orlando’s downtown Creative Village as it grows its animation and game development operations.

BUILD OR RENT YOUR CASTLE

Featured Properties

Orlando is a cost-effective location, whether you plan to build, buy or lease. 

Creative Village

Creative Village is a digital media-focused district in the heart of downtown Orlando, co-located with the University of Central Florida and Valencia College’s downtown campus.

Downtown Orlando

The Central Business District, or Downtown Orlando, is home to City Hall, modern office towers, and 19th-century buildings. The sleek Dr. Phillips Center shows musicals and opera, while the nearby Amway Center features big-name concerts and Magic basketball games.

Orlando. Unbelievably real.

Other Focus Areas

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Connect with a Subject Matter Expert

Get in touch with Abigail Wagner, Director of Economic Development, for additional information including customized talent data and tailored space recommendations.

Call him today: 407.902.2442

Dave School

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Download an overview of Orlando’s entertainment technology sector.

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