(Photo courtesy of Universal Orlando Resort)
As Epic Universe debuts and Orlando retains its top meetings rank, the city navigates tourism changes, federal funding boosts, and a packed June tradeshow slate
Orlando enters summer with a mix of momentum and uncertainty. While Epic Universe opens its gates to eager crowds and the city holds its place as North America’s top meeting destination, challenges like international travel declines and rising costs continue to shape the local economy. From major tradeshows to high-profile restaurant closures, the region’s tourism, events, and development sectors are all in motion.
Universal Opens First New Orlando Theme Park in 25 Years
Universal Epic Universe officially opened on May 22, marking the first major new theme park in Orlando in more than two decades. Located near the existing Universal Orlando Resort, the park features five themed areas: Celestial Park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, and Dark Universe. The park includes more than 50 attractions, dining venues, and entertainment experiences, plus a new on-site hotel, Universal Helios Grand. Opening day drew thousands of visitors, with celebrations that included fireworks, character appearances, and a drone show.
Coverings 2025 Wraps with Nearly 25,000 in Attendance
Coverings 2025 drew close to 25,000 tile and stone professionals to Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center from April 29 to May 2. The show featured 1,000 exhibitors across 440,000 square feet and reported year-over-year growth in qualified attendance. Industry sectors represented included distribution, retail, design, fabrication, and construction. Coverings 2026 is scheduled for March 30–April 2 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Beauty, Tech, and Dentistry Lead Orlando’s June Tradeshow Lineup
Orlando’s June tradeshow calendar is led by three major events drawing tens of thousands to the Orange County Convention Center:
InfoComm (June 11–13) follows as North America’s leading pro AV and integrated experience event. With nearly 37,000 attendees and more than 800 exhibitors, the show highlights innovations in audio, video, digital signage, conferencing, and immersive tech.
Florida Dental Convention (June 19–21) rounds out the month with more than 8,000 dental professionals and 300-plus exhibitors. The event features continuing education, clinical product showcases, and updates on policy and practice for the region’s dental community.
Adults-Only Lounge Opening Inside EPCOT’s Spaceship Earth
Disney will open GEO-82, an adults-only lounge inside EPCOT’s Spaceship Earth, on June 4. Located at Walt Disney World in Florida, the venue will offer cocktails, small plates, and views of the World Showcase Lagoon. Named for EPCOT’s 1982 opening, the lounge is part of the park’s ongoing updates. Reservations are required, but pricing, full menu details, and operating schedule are still unknown.
Orlando-Area Airports Awarded $33M in Federal Infrastructure Grants
Orlando International Airport and Kissimmee Gateway Airport will receive more than $33 million in federal funding to support infrastructure upgrades. The largest share—over $12 million—will expand Terminal C’s aircraft apron, while $5 million is earmarked for a new pedestrian bridge connecting to the Multi-Modal Connector. Kissimmee Gateway will use $1.5 million to replace aging taxiway lighting.
Drop in Canadian Travel Hits Orlando Theme Parks and Flights
Orlando is seeing a decline in Canadian tourism, with visitor numbers down 3.4 percent in early 2025. Canadians make up the largest group of international visitors to Central Florida, and their absence is impacting revenue at major attractions like Disney World and Universal Orlando. Airline routes from Canada to Florida have also dropped by more than 19 percent, leading to fewer flights and smaller aircraft. Industry analysts point to rising travel costs and political rhetoric—including proposed tourist taxes and tariffs—as factors discouraging international visits.
Orlando Airport Sees Heavy Traffic Over Memorial Day Weekend
Orlando International Airport saw a surge in passenger traffic over Memorial Day weekend, with more than 150,000 travelers passing through daily starting the Thursday before the holiday. Despite concerns about rising costs and economic uncertainty, the city remained a top destination for families kicking off summer travel. Local businesses, especially those near theme parks, reported increased foot traffic as visitors took advantage of warm weather and school breaks.
Soco Thornton Park Closes After 11 Years in Downtown Orlando
Soco Thornton Park, a staple of Downtown Orlando’s dining scene, closed at the end of May after nearly 11 years in operation. Known for its Southern contemporary cuisine and welcoming service, the restaurant hosted a final day of service for longtime patrons. While no reason was given for the closure, the owners thanked guests for their support and urged continued support for local, independent restaurants.
Orlando Dreamers’ $2 Billion MLB Stadium Faces Key Hurdles
The Orlando Dreamers’ proposal for a $2 billion Major League Baseball stadium near SeaWorld faces major challenges beyond financing—including the need to secure a team and gain local government support. The project, which would mark Orlando’s first MLB venue, has drawn attention from investors and community leaders but lacks formal league backing. Officials say design plans are still preliminary, and no timeline has been announced.
Orlando Tops 2025 List of North America’s Leading Meeting Destinations
Cvent has named Orlando the number one meeting destination in North America for 2025, maintaining its top spot in the annual rankings based on sourcing activity across Cvent’s platforms. The rankings reflect more than $18 billion in group business sourced in 2024. Las Vegas and Chicago followed in second and third place.
