What’s Happening in MetroWest 2021 Wins for the Local Business

2021 Wins for the Local Business Community

Dawn Willis, Brian Wetzel, Amy DeYoung and Tonja Mosely, OH-HCH; Camille Evans, Virtus LLP; Rusty Johnson, Mayor of Ocoee; Stina D’Uva; Dr. Alexander Cartwright and Dr. Sean Snaith, UCF; and Heather Easterling, Boyd Development.

The WOCC Economic Update and Forecast Luncheon combined chamber chicken with an economic forecast to create a recipe for success.

By Stina D’Uva, West Orange Chamber of Commerce

Who knew that the time was right to bring back a chamber luncheon featuring the ever-popular chamber chicken dish and a world-renowned economist? Well, the West Orange Chamber of Commerce knew, of course.

It’s also known as pent-up demand, an economic term (if I’m remembering correctly from my few courses in college). This term applies to so much since the lockdown of the pandemic, from travel to eating out to hugging people.

The pandemic has caused many of us, including the chamber, to limit things that were second nature to us. Our luncheons, which always present valuable information to our members, had to be put on hold in 2020. Yet, we knew that bringing back an in-person, CDC-safe luncheon with a relevant topic would relieve that pent-up demand for people to be in a room with one another and to hear first-hand if our economy would continue to move in the right direction.

Our luncheon did exactly that and more. Most people couldn’t imagine that a luncheon featuring an economist would have them laughing and smiling throughout, yet that is exactly what the attendees experienced. Sean Snaith, Ph.D., Director of UCF’s Institute of Economic Forecasting and an internationally recognized economist in the field of business and economic forecasting, is also known for his quick wit and self-deprecating sense of humor. He makes a dry subject not only interesting but also relevant.

The luncheon gave business owners the information they needed to know that our economy is growing and will continue to do so. This knowledge gave them the competitive edge and affirms their decisions for hiring more personnel and approving additional capital expenditures — all activities that will keep us moving in a positive direction.

Dr. Snaith also shared in his presentation that the housing market will continue to be a seller’s market. The current, available inventory of homes in our region is at 1.2 months, whereas, in 2020, it was at 2.4 months. This housing shortage has caused home prices to increase by 19% from a comparison of March 2020 to March 2021.

The good news is that a repeat of the housing bubble bursting isn’t likely, even with low interest rates, since financial institutions have maintained strict guidelines on those able to receive mortgages. That is great news for all.

Some other great news comes from Tallahassee. Main Street Fairness, an important issue on the collection of sales taxes from out-of-state, online retailers, was signed into law. This will bring much-needed revenue to our state and helps businesses with their unemployment taxes. Another item that was signed into law recently is fondly known as Alcohol To-Go. This legislation will help restaurants bolster their revenue through the sale of packaged alcohol to-go.

This year is looking good! To learn about more 2021 wins for the local business community, visit wochamber.com.

National Traveland Tourism Week

Orange County Proclamation Osceola County Proclamation Seminole County Proclamation

Robert Agrusa is president and CEO of the Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association, the world’s largest regional hotel association (www.CFHLA.org).

In honor of National Travel and Additionally, Visit Orlando anTourism Week, the Central Florida Ho- nounced this month that the Official tel and Lodging Association continued Visitation Number in 2020 was over the tradition of passing out pineapples, 35 million. While this number is a sigthe international symbol of hospitality, nificant drop in visitation due to the to our county commissioners in Orange, pandemic, industry leaders remain optiOsceola and Seminole counties. All three mistic that visitor numbers will continue counties presented official proclamations to rebound and recover as travel restricto CFHLA declaring the celebration of tions are eased and consumer confidence Karst Media - Half Page ad - Play Pass 8.pdf 1 2/25/21 1:28 PMNational Travel and Tourism Week. continues to rise.

UP TO 8 ATTRACTIONS ONE LOW PRICE! Plus SHOPPING & DINING DISCOUNTS!

Get your PLAY PASS today at ICONParkOrlando.com

THE ICON PARK PLAY PASS INCLUDES (1) ADMISSION TO: The Wheel at ICON Park, Madame Tussauds Orlando, SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium, Museum of Illusions, Orlando StarFlyer, Pearl Express Train, 7D Dark Ride & $5 In The Game Play Card.

All Play Pass entitlements must be utilized within 30 days from first use. Attractions are subject to change and substitution without notice. Not to be combined with other offers. Other restrictions and exclusions may apply. ICON Park | Free Parking | 8375 International Drive | Orlando, FL 32819 | 407-601-7907