Business and community leaders gathered at Osceola Heritage Park on Monday for the St. Cloud Economic Forecast Breakfast 2025, an event hosted by the City of St. Cloud in partnership with the St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce. The annual event provided insights into workforce development, business expansion, and the regional economy, featuring discussions led by prominent industry leaders.
The event began with St. Cloud Mayor Chris Robertson delivering the welcome remarks and Pledge of Allegiance, setting the stage for a morning of discussions on St. Cloud’s economic future. Spectrum News 13’s Ybeth Bruzual, who served as emcee, introduced the lineup of speakers and moderated key panel discussions throughout the event.
The first session, “St. Cloud 2025: Navigating Economic Currents,” was presented by Neil Hamilton, Vice President of Research & Strategy at the Orlando Economic Partnership. Hamilton provided an overview of economic trends impacting St. Cloud and the greater Central Florida region, highlighting factors influencing business growth, infrastructure development, and investment opportunities.
The discussion then shifted to “Workforce Trends & Economic Growth: Opportunities & Challenges,” presented by Nilda Blanco, Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at CareerSource Central Florida. Blanco emphasized the importance of job training programs and workforce development initiatives designed to support St. Cloud’s growing economy.
Following a brief networking break, the “Evolving Landscape of Tourism” panel took center stage.
Moderated by Ybeth Bruzual, this session featured:
✅ Frida Bahja, PhD, Director of Research, Experience Kissimmee
✅ Sam Haught, Co-Founder & Co-Owner, Wild Florida
✅ Robb Larson, General Manager, Osceola Heritage Park
Bahja, representing Experience Kissimmee, delivered a comprehensive overview of tourism’s impact on Osceola County. She shared key data on visitor trends, tourism’s contributions to local businesses, and the role of strategic marketing in keeping Kissimmee a leading travel destination.
“Our region’s success is deeply tied to tourism,” Bahja explained. “Every visitor supports local businesses, creates jobs, and strengthens our economy. Experience Kissimmee remains committed to fostering sustainable tourism growth that benefits both businesses and residents.”
Haught and Larson reinforced this message, sharing insights from their respective industries, including eco-tourism and event-driven tourism at Osceola Heritage Park.
Employer Perspectives on Economic Shifts
The final panel, “Employer Perspectives: Navigating Economic Shifts,” also moderated by Bruzual, brought together business leaders to discuss workforce trends and economic resilience. Panelists included:
✅ John Fremstad, Director of Sales & Sustainability, OUC
✅ Pedro Turushina, President, Hispanic Chamber
✅ Brian Wetzel, President, Orlando Health St. Cloud
Panelists discussed workforce retention, healthcare’s role in economic development, and the growing influence of small businesses in Osceola County. Wetzel highlighted Orlando Health St. Cloud’s expansion, emphasizing how the healthcare sector is a major driver of job growth and community stability.
Closing Remarks and Community Commitment
The event concluded with closing remarks from Annmarie Forbes, Economic Development Director for the City of St. Cloud and Dirk Webb, President/CEO of the St. Cloud Greater Osceola Chamber of Commerce. reiterated the City of St. Cloud’s commitment to fostering economic growth, strengthening public-private partnerships, and ensuring a strong future for local businesses.
St. Cloud Chamber President Dirk Webb shared, “you’ve seen a lot of data, and you’ve and heard a lot of great information about St. Cloud and about the growth that is St. Cloud. What we want you to know, is if you would like to learn more, the St. Cloud Chamber is here to help. Just visit StCloudChamberfl.com.”
The Economic Forecast Breakfast 2025 provided a valuable platform for discussion, connecting business leaders, economic strategists, and policymakers in a shared mission to drive economic success in St. Cloud and beyond.
As Osceola County continues to evolve, events like this play a critical role in shaping the region’s economic strategy, ensuring sustainable growth and long-term prosperity.
