OCCC News & Views | August 2022

News & Views | August 2022

Greetings,

The Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) continues to host some of the largest and most prestigious events in North America, as we continue to lead the industry’s economic recovery. The OCCC welcomed an influx of returning conventions and sporting events during the spring and summer months resulting in significant guest attendance and economic impact for the region.

During the fourth quarter of the fiscal year, from July to September, the OCCC is projected to host 37 events, with approximately 260,000 attendees, creating an estimated $429 million economic impact for our region. We remain focused on prioritizing the health and safety of guests, while working with our new and existing clients on their ever-changing needs.

In July, ICAST reeled in approximately 15,000 attendees, creating an estimated $38.5 million economic impact for the region. This event features outdoor fishing demonstrations and kayak launches – making great use of the beautiful pond at the North-South Building.

This week, The Landscape Show will return to the Center, with more than 7,000 attendees, creating an estimated $18.4 million economic impact. Hosted by the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association (FNGLA), The Landscape Show is a legacy client, whom we have had the pleasure of hosting ever since the OCCC’s opening in 1983.

Next month, we are also welcoming back Surf Expo. This event is estimated to bring in more than 30,000 attendees, generating an economic impact of approximately $77.8 million. This highly anticipated biannual event has been a part of the OCCC event rotation for more than a decade.

Overall this fiscal year, we are positioned to host, 159 events, with approximately 1.5 million attendees and a total economic impact of $2.4 billion. This quarter, we were also honored to host our 2022 Executive Client Advisory Committee (ECAC) Meeting. This highly successful event brought 14 of our esteemed clients together with our leadership team, partners and stakeholders for discussion on the OCCC’s continued success. The feedback we received from this meeting regarding the future of our Center, current social issues and their impacts to our industry, transportation priorities, and more, was extremely valuable. We are eager to implement key points from this discussion into our strategic planning moving forward.

Thanks to the trust and confidence of our legacy and first-time clients, coupled with our dedication to excellence, we are showing the industry that the OCCC continues to do Business Better Than Usual – positioning us for a strong close to our 2021-2022 fiscal year.

Mark Tester

Executive Director

Orange County Convention Center

OCCC Press Releases

The Orlando Boat Show at the OCCC turns the tide in 2022.

Motivated Buyers at the Orlando Boat Show

The Marine Industry Association of Central Florida (MIACF) hosted the Orlando Boat Show Aug. 12-14 at the Orange County Convention Center. The highly anticipated show featured 22 of Central Florida's top boat dealers representing more than 80 manufacturers with approximately 400 boats on display.

The Center played host to Mecum’s signature wide variety of vehicles, and the top 10 sellers list well reflected the diverse selection on offer.

$34.8 Million at Mecum’s Orlando Summer Special Auction at the OCCC

Sales at Mecum’s most recent collector car auction in Orlando, Florida, reached $34.8 million overall, July 7-9. The second Summer Special auction held at the OCCC saw 869 vehicles change hands, topped by a 2017 Lamborghini Aventador LP 740-4S (Lot S47) that sold for $440,000.

With over 460 of top-name exhibitors, the packed show floor was buzzing with attendees exploring demos and shopping.

Premiere Orlando Shines With Top Rated Exhibit Floor Shopping and Industry-Leading Education

Premiere Orlando 2022 was a completely immersive 3-day experience that hosted over 40,000 visits from beauty professionals across the U.S. and globe, in the Orange County Convention Center from June 4-6. Premiere Orlando’s educational platform and exhibit floor brought brand new trends to a vast audience of students and professionals looking to expand their careers.

OCCC Security team members attend a recognition luncheon by the Greater Orlando Chapter of ASIS International for the extraordinary work of the OCCC Security Division in first aid measures.

OCCC Security Team Recognized for Heroic Actions

Five long-time employees serving the Orange County Convention Center's (OCCC) Security Division were recognized for their recent heroic actions at the Center by the Greater Orlando Chapter of ASIS International. Security Supervisor Charles Young, and Security Representatives Urbane Caleb, Robert Estevez, Jason Norfleet, and Gerry Nunez received the SOAR (Security Officer Awards and Recognition) Award in the Critical Incident Category during an award ceremony on May 26.

MEGACON Orlando 2022 brought a high-energy weekend filled with enhanced programming and exciting celebrity encounters.

MEGACON Orlando Wraps Up a Fun Fandom Filled Week at OCCC

More than 140,000 fans shattered attendance records and celebrated a weekend of all things fandom at MEGACON Orlando 2022. The Southeast’s most sought-after fan convention brought a star-studded celebrity lineup, cosplay encounters, endless programming and more to the OCCC on Thursday, May 19 to Sunday, May 22.

The Florida Volleyball Challenge, by the Florida Region of USA Volleyball, was held from April 22-24, and hosted 20,356 attendees with nearly $26 million in economic impact.

Robust Return of Sporting Events Serves Up $565 Million Economic Impact for Region

The OCCC is hosting several large sporting events with an estimated 426,224 attendees and a projected $565 million in economic impact to the region during the 2021-2022 fiscal year. The competitive youth sporting season commenced this spring, and the OCCC has welcomed back this robust market and its positive economic impact for the Convention Center District.