workers,’ so we partnered with the University of Central Florida and created the Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy, which is a graduate program for gamers and is now actually the best in the country. The University of Central Florida is very good about helping us identify and meet the needs of our workforce.” CHARTING THE COURSE FOR THE FUTURE In Mayor Dyer’s words, Orlando is akin to a teenager, forever brimming with potential, and still establishing its identity. “We want to be a ‘future-ready city,’ which has two meanings to it, one is that we embrace the technology that helps us to deliver services for our residents, businesses, and visitors, and secondly, we’re creating an ecosystem that allows businesses of the future to use evolving technology to thrive in our community.” “We’ve coined that we’re ‘the metacenter of the metaverse,’ because all aspects of the metaverse are thriving here in Orlando, whether it’s artificial intelligence, virtual reality, gaming, or the Internet of Things, and the University of Central Florida and Valencia College have very important programs in Cybersecurity. A lot of that is synergistic between theme parks, which use all of that technology, the modeling, simulation, and training that we already have here, and now the gaming industry, which is growing here in Central Florida,” he concludes. As the city charts its path forward, guided by principles of diversity, collaboration, and sustainability, it stands poised to emerge as a beacon of innovation and progress in the 21st century. CONCLUSION Orlando, often celebrated for its enchanting attractions, emerges as a dynamic hub of economic development and growth under the leadership of Mayor Buddy Dyer. “I tell all the other mayors that I’m the happiest mayor in America. I get to be the mayor of this great city that embraces diversity and equality. What gets me up is the people of Orlando.” Through collaboration, innovation, and a steadfast 7 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 07 ORLANDO, FL
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