Gunster and the African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida hosted their annual CEO Roundtable featuring Lance Lyttle, CEO of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA). Moderated by Gunster’s Derek Bruce, chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, the discussion covered MCO’s economic impact, the capital plan ahead, procurement opportunities, and the leadership practices that sustain operational excellence at one of the nation’s busiest airports.
MCO’s Economic Engine and Vision
MCO serves one of the world’s most visited destinations, carrying about 50 million passengers in 2024 and generating an estimated $41 billion in regional economic impact. GOAA’s airport‑authority governance keeps strategy aviation‑focused and anchored to a higher civic purpose: unlocking opportunity for small businesses and driving community benefit through infrastructure, access, and jobs.
Where Opportunities Are Growing
A decade‑long modernization is transforming MCO into a smart, connected hub. Construction and terminal upgrades are being sequenced to sustain activity over many years, creating steady opportunities across trades and specialty services. Concessions and retail programs are being packaged for operators of different sizes, with pathways that can lower barriers to entry. Professional services and technology needs are expanding quickly, especially in biometrics, mobile transactions, operational technology, and analytics—all aimed at delivering a smoother, faster passenger experience.
Navigating a Tourism Gateway
Air‑service development is a team sport in Central Florida. MCO collaborates with destination marketing organizations, local leaders, and community stakeholders to market the region, share risk with airlines, and acknowledge the job creation and economic spillovers that new routes produce. As the airport evolves into a true intermodal hub, the focus is on speed, convenience, and delight—integrating Brightline, planning for air‑mobility concepts, and infusing the journey with “theme park touches” that make travel part of the destination experience.
How to Compete: Procurement and Inclusion
Vendors should expect phased solicitations tied to long‑horizon capital work and technology rollouts rather than a single, all‑at‑once renovation cycle. GOAA is reshaping participation models with SBE/DBE‑style programs, pursuing reciprocity across agencies, and tracking evolving national guidance through a dedicated task force. In concessions and select categories, GOAA may consider offsetting build‑out costs to help smaller businesses enter and compete, leveling the field while maintaining operational standards.
Talent, Culture, and Operational Readiness
MCO’s Manager‑in‑Training (MIT) program rotates non‑management employees across functions to build the next generation of leaders. As air service expands, GOAA coordinates closely with federal and local partners to scale public safety and customer‑facing resources. Underpinning this work is a leadership mindset that emphasizes shared vision, psychological safety, and intentional energy management—creating an environment where people can do their best work and where teams are empowered to improve the passenger experience.
Words of Wisdom: Lance Lyttle on Leadership and Personal Growth
Lyttle shared the personal principles that have shaped his path. He emphasized the importance of surrounding yourself with people who share your ambitions and values, noting that the company you keep is a powerful driver of trajectory. He spoke candidly about control and resilience: you cannot dictate what others say or do, but you control your reaction and your response—discipline that turns setbacks into learning and keeps teams focused on outcomes rather than distractions. He chooses positivity deliberately, treating energy as a resource to be managed; deciding to be happy each day sharpens perspective, builds stamina, and sets the tone for those around you.
While there was no single defining breakthrough in his journey, he credited a series of experiences that built on one another: consistent habits, small wins, and cumulative learning that compound over time. His advice to aspiring leaders echoed this arc—invest in your circle, guard your mindset, own your responses, and create spaces where others can thrive. That is how careers advance, institutions evolve, and communities are lifted together.
View photos from the event here. Credit to First Klass Memories.
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This publication is for general information only. It is not legal advice, and legal counsel should be contacted before any action is taken that might be influenced by this publication.
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