The Business Backdrop

This week’s Business Backdrop explores a week of ups and downs for one of the region's big commercial space operators: Blue Origin.

In just a few weeks, Blue Origin went from announcing a $600 million capital investment and securing a $188 million NASA contract to making headlines after its New Glenn rocket exploded May 28.

The company remains optimistic it can launch another rocket into orbit by year’s end, though experts have raised questions.

Orlando Business Journal Space Reporter Riley Benson join Editor-in-Chief Richard Bilbao on The Business Backdrop to discuss more on what she has heard in the days following the New Glenn explosion, as well as how the other activity plays into the future of Central Florida.

Curious about the stories behind The Business Backdrop? Click the links below to catch up.

• Blue Origin targets year-end launch as Space Coast contractors eye new opportunities
• Blue Origin faces months of delays, massive costs after New Glenn explosion
• Blue Origin confirms 'anomaly' after New Glenn rocket explodes in Cape Canaveral
• Blue Origin snags $188M contract amid NASA's moon base push
• Blue Origin to bring 500 jobs to Florida's Space Coast with $600M expansion

Tourism Reporter Patricia Tolley joins the Business Backdrop to talk about the fancier side of travel in Orlando. How has the region's hotel scene changed when it comes to luxury travel? Also, Rob DelliBovi, owner & CEO of RDB Hospitality Group shares insight on the changes in the luxury hospitality market, and the indicators that show a boom in the works.

Curious about the stories behind The Business Backdrop? Click the links below to catch up.

• High-end travel CEO opens Lake Nona office, says Orlando luxury market poised to explode
• Westcourt site work underway, general contractor selected for $500M project
• New Disney-area beachfront luxury hotel Conrad Orlando opens

The Business Backdrop dives into one of the hottest topics on Central Florida's west side — Winter Garden's downtown change. The historic downtown has seen a rapid change in real estate ownership that has business owners and residents curious of what comes next. Commercial Real Estate Reporter JC Carnahan joins the show to share more on his findings about Winter Garden's transformation.

Read the stories here:

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2026/04/21/winter-garden-retail-strategies-plant-street-cr…

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2026/04/16/downtown-winter-garden-plant-street-bistro-sell…

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2026/04/02/exchange-winter-garden-plant-street-foundry-ant…

We are sticking in downtown Orlando for this episode of the Business backdrop. Orlando Business Journal Managing Editor Steven Ryzewski has an engaging conversation with First Capital Property Group's Jeré Matheny on activity in the central business district. What are some of the changes? Who's moving in and out of the downtown? Also, what does this spell for the overall region?

n this episode of the Business Backdrop, we hit the sports and space sectors of Central Florida. The region is set to welcome another sports franchise in 2027 with the Jacksonville Jaguars coming to town. Also, the Artemis mission from the Space Coast opens a new frontier of opportunities for the region. Staff Writers Riley Benson and J.C. Carnahan join to share their insight.

Want to read the stories? Here are the links:

Jaguars coming to Orlando: https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2026/04/01/jacksonville-jaguars-camping-world-stadium-nfl.html

Artemis II launch spells big business: https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2026/04/01/space-coast-nasa-artemis-ii-launch-moon-landing.html

The Boring Co., a tunneling firm by Billionaire Elon Musk, is the name in Orlando that could bring a new transportation concept to Orlando. The firm is working closely with a Universal-created infrastructure district to see how a new system could connect the tourism corridor. Orlando Business Journal Staff Writer Patricia Tolley joins Editor-in-Chief Richard Bilbao to discuss the topic. Also, Tolley talks with a tunneling expert on how the Boring Co. may approach the project.

In this episode of The Business Backdrop, Orlando Business Journal Senior Staff Writer Ryan Lynch joins Editor-in-Chief Richard Bilbao to discuss two major road projects bookending Central Florida. See how Central Florida Expressway Authority projects in Osceola and Seminole counties will provide economic development for those regions. Also, find out how these projects signal future growth and how they play a role in more business.

In this episode of Business Backdrop, Icon Park CEO and President, Chris Jaskiewicz details the park's vision as a 20-acre entertainment and hospitality destination for locals and visitors, its development origins after the financial crisis, and how the team rebranded in 2019 and navigated Covid-19 by implementing protocols and reopening early as an open-air, gate-free venue. Jaskiewicz discusses strategies focused on affordability, free parking, flexible visit lengths and being easy to work with for corporate events, as well as curating tenants for complementary fit and collaboration. He highlights upcoming and recent additions including Blue Man Group opening in May on the Universal Boulevard side of the complex; Build-A-Bear expanding to a 30,000-square-foot flagship set to open around August; a new Starbucks, plus future attractions like Ripley’s Crazy Golf. The conversation also touches on the impact of Universal’s Epic Universe, Visit Orlando’s role in promoting the region and initiatives like the Michelin Guide, and Icon Park’s outlook for 2026 amid tighter consumer spending by emphasizing value while continuing to add new concepts.

In this episode, Staff Writer J.C. Carnahan dives into the details of how two major grocery chains — Publix and Trader Joe’s — are carving out their own paths in the grocery wars of Central Florida. See how each have expanded their reach and what we hear may be driving both their expansion plans.

Curious about the stories behind the episode? Click here to catch up.

- https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2026/01/16/publix-windermere.html

- https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2026/01/02/trader-joes-party-city-waterford-lakes-east-orange.html

A new podcast from the Orlando Business Journal. The Business Backdrop pulls back the curtain on Central Florida’s business scene — and the newsroom that covers it.

Every two weeks, Editor-in-Chief of the Orlando Business Journal Richard Bilbao takes you behind the headlines to dive into the story behind the story shaping central Florida’s economy through candid conversations with the reporters who brought it to life. You’ll hear how stories come together, what’s shaping Orlando business, and who’s driving the change.

From real estate to tourism to tech, The Business Backdrop gives you the context, insights, and newsmakers behind the stories that matter most to Orlando’s business community.