Greetings,
The Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) remains steadfast in its mission of economic development and continues its immeasurable community impact by serving as Orange County’s host site for senior COVID-19 vaccine.
We are grateful for the leadership and the collaborative partnership of Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings with the Florida Department of Health, which has enabled almost 300,000 COVID-19 tests to be administered at the OCCC’s remote parking location since March 2020. Additionally, more than 23,000 vaccines have been distributed to seniors through the OCCC since December 2020.
In fiscal year 2019-2020, the Center welcomed an estimated 667,000 attendees across 79 events, generating an estimated $1.49 billion in economic impact. These events donated nearly $840,000 in funds and merchandise, and about 1.1 million pounds of goods to non-profit organizations in Orange County.
That direct show floor workforce does not include the multitude of employees who work behind the scenes in the transportation, parking, sales, leasing and the finance sections at the OCCC – key staff who assist in coordinating these shows. Additionally, ancillary staff at local hotels, restaurants, retailers, attractions, theme parks and the convention bureau provided additional support and services to attendees and exhibitors beyond the show floor.
The Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend generated $7.7 million in economic impact and about 2,300 cumulative room nights, alone. The AKC National Championship’s economic impact stood at $15.4 million with about 8,200 cumulative room nights. These two combined events contributed $23.1 million to the community and 10,500 room nights. Learn more in this video of recent OCCC events.
In recent years, the OCCC has contributed approximately $3 billion in economic impact to the Central Florida region, averaging nearly 200 events, including 115 conventions and trade shows that attract more than 1.5 million attendees to the destination annually. On average, events at the OCCC donate more than $2.3 million every year to local charities. Learn more in this OCCC Community Impact Video.
Between 2012 and 2019, the Center assisted conventions, trade shows and events in donating over $14.2 million of supplies and food to local community organizations. Some beneficiaries include Habitat for Humanity, A Gift for Teaching, Pet Alliance of Orlando, Heart of Florida United Way, and Clean the World.
In past years, the OCCC has also served residents as a designated staging area for hundreds of public safety and emergency responder vehicles and aircraft from across the nation during a weather emergency. The OCCC houses first responders and their equipment to assist with hurricane recovery efforts across the state.
We want our community to know that we are here for our residents through the good and hard times. Whether it is assisting our first responders during a hurricane, infusing our economy with jobs or creating economic opportunities for our residents, The Center of Hospitality is ready to serve our residents and community.
The staff at the OCCC is committed to moving our community forward as we find new and innovative ways to continue Meeting Safely Today for a Stronger Tomorrow. Since launching our robust Recovery and Resiliency Guidelines in June, we have worked hard to position Orlando as a destination that our clients, employees, community, and industry can trust. Gaining industry-wide recognition as a model for safely hosting live events, the Center’s recovery efforts have enabled local residents to stay employed and have helped the OCCC solidify future bookings that further create economic opportunities from visitors, attendees and exhibitors who support local businesses.
With December signaling its busiest month since the pandemic, the OCCC continues to carefully prepare and provide value to the surrounding community, while offering a safe and responsible environment for attendees, clients and employees.
The events we host at the OCCC provide countless economic, employment and community benefits for the residents of Orange County. From convention and event staffing, to supporting the local economy and area businesses, including local hotels, restaurants, mom and pop shops, and collaborating with the Florida Department of Health to get our residents COVID-19 vaccinations and tested safely, the impact of the Center reverberates throughout the economy and produces a positive impact for our entire region.
