The Orlando region is home to next-gen gaming, entertainment, artificial intelligence (AI), augmented/virtual reality (AR/VR), IoT, and simulation training companies. The people, entrepreneurs, and businesses in the region have created an engaging, technologically-advanced region over several decades are now doing the same for the metaverse, leading to Orlando dub itself the MetaCenter.

The declaration of the MetaCenter comes after the announcement of “Unbelievably Real”—a new brand that tells the complete story of Orlando, both the fantastical and authentic elements of the metro, in both tourism, and business. According to the Orlando Economic Partnership (OEP), the MetaCenter is an “important piece of the unbelievably real work happening here”.

“After watching intently for years as the building blocks of this new frontier unfold, the metaverse is taking shape—and it is evident that Orlando’s tech companies play a big part in developing this new world,” said David Adelson, Orlando Economic Partnership chief innovation officer.

According to the OEP, Orlando and the surrounding region have evolved into a booming tech hub, home to everything from startups to global giants, all powering the technology that is creating the metaverse and helping businesses access what both Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley pegged as an $8 trillion growth opportunity.

Watch the video below to learn more about Orlando as the MetaCenter.

The OEP is taking the entire region into the metaverse, working with Unity to create a digital twin of the 800-sq.-mile metro area that will use new 3D technology to map out scenarios on everything from infrastructure to real estate to talent availability to climate change. According to the OEP, the Orlando region has one of the highest concentrations of Unity licenses in the country, thanks to the number of local companies working in modeling, simulation, and training, as well as theme parks, gaming, and entertainment.

Leaders from entertainment, sports, fashion, retail, and academia already call the Orlando region home, and this diversity of innovation has proven to have a global reach with the formalization of the first MetaCenter, says the OEP.

“The Orlando technology community continues to grow; the identification of the MetaCenter is a building block for our community to plug in,” said Charlie Lewis, founder and CEO of BlueWave Resource Partners and chair of the Orlando Tech Council.

Launched by the OEP, TheMetaCenter.org is a tool for anyone wanting to learn more about the MetaCenter. Features include:

• Information on why Orlando stands out across tech industries
• A list of Orlando companies in AR/VR, AI, 3D reconstruction, gaming, and more
• A news section with recent press releases, announcements, and media coverage
• Quotes from industry leaders like Daryl Holt, vice president and general manager at EA Tiburon, and John Riccitiello, CEO at Unity
• A video on the MetaCenter featuring Buddy Dyer, Orlando Mayor, and Cathy Hackl,  chief metaverse officer at Journey

“The MetaCenter is home to everything from startups to global giants and showcases why Orlando is Unbelievably Real, with work happening here that continues to draw attention,” said Adelson.

For more on the MetaCenter, visit TheMetaCenter.org and follow on Twitter (@the_MetaCenter) and LinkedIn.