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The Business Backdrop

The Business Backdrop

By: Orlando Business Journal
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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.Copyright 2026 Orlando Business Journal Economics Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Disney partners with Adobe for AI; Brightline faces ongoing hurdles
    Jul 2 2026

    This week's Business Backdrop takes a look at a new partnership by Disney and Adobe, as well as the latest chapter for high-speed rail operator Brightline.

    Technology advances continue to give companies the edge on business, and the region's largest employer, Walt Disney World, entered a partnership to utilize artificial intelligence more. Computer software giant Adobe announced June 16 it would be collaborating with Walt Disney Imagineering Research & Development to provide its Firefly Foundry AI services to the company’s theme park design and visualization pipeline. The collaboration is expected to help further improve the theme park's think-tank processes.

    Meanwhile, Miami-based Brightline, the high-speed rail system connecting Miami to Orlando, is facing uncertainty, despite a growth in ridership. Faced with a debt issue, the rail operator is considering the bankruptcy protection process to find viable alternative paths to better stability.

    To speak more on each subject, Dow Jones News Reporter Kendal Asbury and Senior Staff Writer and Transportation Reporter Ryan Lynch join the Business Backdrop to share the latest on each trend and what it means for each business.

    Read the stories behind this episode:

    • Disney to integrate AI into theme park design amid $17B expansion
    • Brightline considers bankruptcy as ridership grows but $5.5B debt load looms

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    20 mins
  • A peek at what's ahead for Port Canaveral
    Jun 19 2026

    Port Canaveral CEO Capt. John Murray joins the Business Backdrop to discuss the state of Central Florida's sea hub. New projects are underway that may be the catalyst for the next big cruise ships sailing the seas. Also, the burgeoning commercial space sector primes more areas of opportunity for the port, as well as other tertiary improvements. Find out what's the latest for Port Canaveral.

    Read the stories about this episode:

    https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2026/06/06/port-canaveral-cruise-terminal-10-upgrades-ship…

    https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2026/05/22/carnival-glory-port-canaveral-upgrades-casino-c…

    https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2026/03/25/port-canaveral-turns-down-natural-gas-plant-dea…

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    25 mins
  • New Glenn explosion raises questions about Blue Origin's timeline
    Jun 5 2026

    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

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    14 mins
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