Central Florida Leaders Show Their Disney Side

Wearing special Mickey Mouse ears, business leaders from around Central Florida showed their Disney Side during a luncheon for the “One Orlando” Leadership Summit.

Hosted in part by Walt Disney World Resort, the three-day event was organized by the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission, Visit Orlando and the Central Florida Partnership to showcase best practices in the region. The summit included behind-the-scenes tours and detailed discussions about transportation, health, education and tourism.

During the luncheon that focused on future trends in tourism, Walt Disney World Resort President George A. Kalogridis told attendees that Central Florida is a success story, in part because Walt Disney World is a success story.

“And to stay successful, we always strive to stay ahead of trends and integrate emerging technologies that can create ever more immersive experiences for our guests,” Kalogridis said.

To “lighten” up the luncheon, the nearly 150 attendees received illuminated Mickey Mouse ears to demonstrate the new technology used for the Disney Parks’ “Glow with the Show” nighttime-spectacular.

“Disney plays such an important role in our region and state, it was important for our region’s business and community leaders to have a keen understanding of all the good things happening at Walt Disney World Resort,” said Rick Weddle, president and CEO of the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission. “In large part, because of Walt Disney World, ‘Orlando’ is a household name around the globe.