Welcome to The City Playbook, where President and CEO Tim Giuliani takes you behind the ideas, innovation, and initiatives shaping the future of Orlando.

In this episode, Tim sits down with architect and urban planner Dan Kirby of Jacobs to talk about what it takes to build a people-first city that attracts talent, investment, and opportunity.
From converting one-way streets to designing great “third places,” Tim and Dan dig into how policy, placemaking, and smart growth can elevate downtown Orlando and surrounding main streets across Central Florida.

Tune in to learn:

• Post-COVID downtowns and what’s next for Orlando
• People-first design vs. car-first design
• One-way to two-way street conversions and street life
• Safety through activity and “eyes on the street”
• The 15-minute city concept and walkability
• Mixed-use, density, and housing affordability
• Transit options, transit-oriented development, and better connections
• Policy frameworks that work (Portland), and modeling with digital twins
• Charlotte’s light rail as a case study
• Civic leadership, shared agendas, and why cities are the key economic unit

Connect with Dan Kirby at:

Website:  Jacob.comIG: @dankirbyflX: @dankirbyfl

If you enjoy conversations with the decision makers and difference makers shaping Central Florida’s future, like, comment, and subscribe to The City Playbook.

------------------------------------------------------
What do you want to see more of in downtown Orlando? Drop a comment with one placemaking idea you think would make the biggest difference.

Like, subscribe, and share with a friend who cares about building great cities. New episodes explore the people and ideas shaping Central Florida’s future.

Connect with our host Tim at:
Social: https://www.instagram.com/timgiuliani/
Website: https://timgiuliani.com/

Brought to you by the Orlando Economic Partnership Learn more: https://orlando.org

In this episode of The City Playbook, Orlando Economic Partnership President & CEO Tim Giuliani sits down with Michael Brown, President & CEO of Travel + Leisure Co. (Fortune 1000), to talk about the company’s evolving strategy, why they’re moving their headquarters into Downtown Orlando, and how civic leadership can shape neighborhoods and futures.

Tune in to learn:

• Why Travel + Leisure Co. chose Downtown Orlando (west of I-4) and what that means for daytime vibrancy, talent, and the local economy
• How the company became a multi-brand platform during COVID by acquiring the Travel + Leisure brand, plus updates on Sports Illustrated Resorts, Eddie Bauer, and Accor Vacation Club
• Orlando’s true industry footprint: beyond rides and hotels to engineering, finance, IT, construction, corporate operations, and global talent
• The power of proximity: MCO’s connectivity, coast-to-coast access, trails, food, arts, and year-round amenities that attract and retain talent
• Philanthropy and inclusive growth: scholarships and community work in Eatonville and Osceola County, and how corporate action can catalyze long-term neighborhood impact
• The future of American downtowns and how Orlando can win with residential density, culture, and everyday activation
• Leadership lessons on necessary endings, risk, and reinvention inside a public company 

Connect with Michael Brown at:
Website: https://www.travelandleisureco.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/travelleisureco/#

If you enjoy conversations with the decision makers and difference makers shaping Central Florida’s future, like, comment, and subscribe to The City Playbook.
------------------------------------------------------

What do you want to see more of in downtown Orlando? Drop a comment with one placemaking idea you think would make the biggest difference.

Like, subscribe, and share with a friend who cares about building great cities. New episodes explore the people and ideas shaping Central Florida’s future.

Connect with our host Tim at: Social: https://www.instagram.com/timgiuliani/
Website: https://timgiuliani.com/

Brought to you by the Orlando Economic Partnership Learn more: https://orlando.org

In this episode of The City Playbook, Orlando Economic Partnership President & CEO Tim Giuliani sits down with Steven Pedigo, renowned urban strategist and faculty at the University of Texas at Austin, to explore what truly makes a city world-class.


From placemaking and destination branding to economic development, innovation ecosystems, and the bold Vision 2045 plan — discover how Orlando is positioning itself alongside global creative capitals like Barcelona, Tokyo, and Montreal.

You’ll hear why Orlando’s story is about more than tourism — it’s about the fusion of creativity, research, and opportunity that’s redefining the future of work, life, and community in Central Florida.

Tune in to learn:

• How Orlando climbed into America’s Top 11 Best Cities ranking
• The power of placemaking and why “loveability” drives economic success
• What the rise of AI, entertainment, and innovation means for Orlando’s future
• How collaboration between Visit Orlando, UCF, and the private sector is fueling growth
• Why storytelling is the new strategy for city branding and global recognition

Connect with Steven Pedigo at:
Website:  https://iamstevenpedigo.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/iamstevenpedigo/

If you enjoy conversations with the decision makers and difference makers shaping Central Florida’s future, like, comment, and subscribe to The City Playbook.

------------------------------------------------------

What do you want to see more of in downtown Orlando? Drop a comment with one placemaking idea you think would make the biggest difference.

Like, subscribe, and share with a friend who cares about building great cities. New episodes explore the people and ideas shaping Central Florida’s future.

Connect with our host Tim at:
Social: https://www.instagram.com/timgiuliani/
Website: https://timgiuliani.com/

Brought to you by the Orlando Economic Partnership Learn more: https://orlando.org

------------------------------------------------------

Podcast produced by Hi Hello Labs: 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hihellolabs/
Website: https://www.hihellolabs.com/

Orlando is more than theme parks. In this episode of The City Playbook, host Tim Giuliani sits down with real estate creator and community builder Ken Pozek (The Orlando Real) to unpack Orlando’s growth story, what residents and newcomers really want, and how smart development can strengthen community.

Ken shares his journey from Detroit to Central Florida, how content marketing helped him scale a 55-person real estate company, and why neighborhoods like SoDo, Mills 50, and Winter Garden are setting the pace. We compare takeaways from Orlando’s learning trips to Nashville and Charlotte including light rail, infill, 15-minute districts, and policies that fast-track high-quality development. Plus, we talk food scene surprises, the power of third places, and why “amenities and access” often matter more than bed-bath counts.

What you’ll learn:
• How Orlando’s brand and creative economy attract talent and companies
• Lessons from Nashville and Charlotte that Orlando can apply now
• Why downtown housing, mobility, and mixed-use are key to a thriving core
• What today’s buyers value most and where growth is heading
• Practical ways cities and developers can foster true community and belonging

TIME STAMPS:

• 00:00 – Intro: shaping Orlando’s future
• 00:25 – Meet Ken Pozek, The Orlando Real
• 01:10 – From Detroit to Orlando
• 02:45 – Building a content-driven real estate business
• 04:45 – What people ask before moving to Orlando
• 06:15 – Hidden gems & Orlando’s food scene
• 08:00 – Lessons from Nashville’s growth
• 09:45 – Charlotte insights: light rail & live-work balance
• 11:30 – Why downtown Orlando needs more residents
• 13:15 – Growth, policy, and opportunity
• 15:00 – Orlando housing market outlook
• 17:00 – What buyers value most today
• 18:45 – Building community & belonging
• 20:30 – Winter Garden’s model for success
• 22:30 – Orlando’s next decade & key catalysts
• 25:00 – Big projects reshaping downtown
• 27:15 – Ken’s book & podcast recommendations
• 29:00 – Where to find Ken Pozek
• 31:00 – Closing thoughts & CTA

Connect with our Guest at:
• Ken Pozek — Real estate leader and creator behind The Orlando Real
IG: @theorlandoreal
YouTube: Ken Pozek

------------------------------------------------------

What do you want to see more of in downtown Orlando? Drop a comment with one placemaking idea you think would make the biggest difference.

Like, subscribe, and share with a friend who cares about building great cities. New episodes explore the people and ideas shaping Central Florida’s future.

Connect with our host Tim at:
Social: https://www.instagram.com/timgiuliani/
Website: https://timgiuliani.com/

Brought to you by the Orlando Economic Partnership Learn more: https://orlando.org

------------------------------------------------------

Podcast produced by Hi Hello Labs: 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hihellolabs/
Website: https://www.hihellolabs.com/

Welcome to The City Playbook — the show that takes you behind the ideas, innovation, and initiatives shaping Orlando’s future. 

In today’s episode, I sit down with Sal Rehmetullah — co-founder of Stax and now president/cofounder at Worth AI — to unpack a decade-long “overnight success,” a billion-dollar exit, and why he’s building company number two right here in Central Florida. We cover scaling from startup to unicorn, creating 500+ jobs, making 70 new millionaires, and how Orlando’s talent, connectivity, and quality of life factor into founder decisions, investment, and retention.

What you’ll learn:
-How Stax scaled from a small team to a billion-dollar exit
-Why Sal chose Orlando again to build Worth AI
-Redefining small-business credit and faster onboarding for banks and fintechs
-The role of talent pipelines (UCF, UF, Rollins) in scaling companies
-Quality-of-life levers that attract and keep top talent
-Sal’s “mayor for a day” wish list for a more vibrant, 15-minute city
-Book and podcast recs for leaders and operators

Connect with Sal:
Socials: @SalRehmetullah
Website: WorthAI.com

------------------------------------------------------

What do you want to see more of in downtown Orlando? Drop a comment with one placemaking idea you think would make the biggest difference.

Like, subscribe, and share with a friend who cares about building great cities. New episodes explore the people and ideas shaping Central Florida’s future.

Connect with our host Tim at:
Social: https://www.instagram.com/timgiuliani/
Website: https://timgiuliani.com/

Brought to you by the Orlando Economic Partnership
Learn more: https://orlando.org

------------------------------------------------------

Podcast produced by Hi Hello Labs: 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hihellolabs/
Website: https://www.hihellolabs.com/

Curious about what is next for Orlando and Central Florida’s urban core? In this episode, host Tim sits down with Brooke Myers, founder of Velocity Red, an Orlando-based urban developer instrumental in the Creative Village project. Brooke shares lessons from a decade at Disney working on land strategy and real estate, how the Great Recession sparked her entrepreneurial path, and what it really takes to build walkable, vibrant, mixed-use places that work for residents, students, and employers.

We unpack post-COVID trends, why residential density drives everything, the role of placemaking and safety, and what is coming in Creative Village Phase Two, including restaurants and ground-floor activation, new apartments, a multi-tenant office building, a hotel, and the adaptive reuse of the Bob Carr as an innovation hub.

If you care about how cities grow, this one is for you.

In this episode:
-Brooke’s path from Disney business development to Velocity Red
-Disneyland strategy insights and what cities can learn
-The origin story of Creative Village and winning the City RFP
-UCF and Valencia’s downtown campus as a turning point
-Post-COVID downtown dynamics and why “more” residential matters
-Orlando vs Tampa, Nashville, Charlotte, Atlanta lessons
-Placemaking that invites people to walk, linger, and connect
-Safety, services, capital markets, and the developer’s role
-What is planned next for Creative Village Phase Two
-Book and leader recommendations from Brooke


What do you want to see more of in downtown Orlando? Drop a comment with one placemaking idea you think would make the biggest difference.

Like, subscribe, and share with a friend who cares about building great cities. New episodes explore the people and ideas shaping Central Florida’s future.

Connect with Brooke at:
Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brooke-anderson-myers/
Website: https://velocity.red/

Connect with our host Tim at:
Social: https://www.instagram.com/timgiuliani/
Website: https://timgiuliani.com/

Brought to you by the Orlando Economic Partnership
Learn more: https://orlando.org

-----------------------------------

Podcast produced by Hi Hello Labs: 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hihellolabs/
Website: https://www.hihellolabs.com/

Welcome to The City Playbook. I’m Tim Giuliani, President and CEO of the Orlando Economic Partnership. Today I’m joined by Rob Starkman, founder and CEO of Rock’em, the Orlando company behind the viral MCO carpet socks, in-park Disney and Star Wars designs, and performance gear for NCAA and pro athletes.

Rob shares how a dorm-room side hustle turned into a 30,000 sq. ft. design-to-delivery operation in Orlando. We talk talent, manufacturing, licensing, and why Orlando’s connectivity and partnerships help founders scale globally.

In this episode:
-The UCF origin story that sparked Rock’em Socks
-From kitchen sink dye baths to a vertically integrated facility
-Building global brands from Orlando with partners like Disney, Universal, EA Sports, and the Orlando Magic
-Why direct flights, tourism, and a business-friendly climate fuel growth
-Investing in people, culture, and an in-house athletic performance space
-Community mindset, mentoring, and keeping talent in Central Florida
-Book picks for leaders: Ego Is the Enemy and The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday

Connect with Rob:
Website and Socials: https://rockemsocks.com/ and @rockem
Business inquiries: via the contact form on rockem.com

Connect with our host Tim at:
Social: https://www.instagram.com/timgiuliani/
Website: https://timgiuliani.com/

------------------------------------------------------
What do you want to see more of in downtown Orlando? Drop a comment with one placemaking idea you think would make the biggest difference.

Like, subscribe, and share with a friend who cares about building great cities. New episodes explore the people and ideas shaping Central Florida’s future.

-----------------------------------
Podcast produced by Hi Hello Labs: 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hihellolabs/
Website: https://www.hihellolabs.com/

Hosted by Tim Giuliani, President and CEO of the Orlando Economic Partnership, The City Playbook shares the stories of leaders, innovators, and changemakers shaping Central Florida’s future. Each episode features candid conversations about the people, ideas, and industries driving Orlando’s economic growth, along with insights on the trends and opportunities transforming the region into a hub for innovation and opportunity.

Subscribe now, share with a friend, and join us as we build the city together. 

Brought to you by the Orlando Economic Partnership

Learn more: https://orlando.org

Connect with our host Tim at: 
Social: https://www.instagram.com/timgiuliani/
Website: https://timgiuliani.com/

-----------------------------------
Podcast produced by Hi Hello Labs:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hihellolabs/
Website: https://www.hihellolabs.com/