Explore
the Economic Impact and Community

The Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) is dedicated to driving economic growth and development in Orange County. By positioning itself as a catalyst for economic activity, the OCCC continuously strives to enhance the local economy through its robust schedule of conventions, trade shows and sporting events. When event organizers choose The Center of Hospitality, they help stimulate and infuse the local economy with new money – expanding business opportunities and creating enriching experiences. As an industry leader, the OCCC excels in delivering world-class customer service, fostering mutually beneficial partnerships and maintaining a team of dedicated employees. By actively engaging with employees, clients, and stakeholders, the OCCC consistently ensures that each interaction is memorable, contributing to the center's mission of economic excellence and unforgettable experiences. Recently, the Center has provided approximately $3.9 billion in economic impact to Central Florida annually. The OCCC has averaged nearly 200 events, including 115 conventions and tradeshows that attract more than 1.5 million attendees to the region each year.

Economic Impact
of The Center of Hospitality

The overall goal of economic impact aligns with the mission of maintaining and growing jobs – convention industry jobs that range from event managers, riggers, audiovisual engineers, production assistants, stage managers, truck drivers, caterers, accountants, security workers, logistics managers, show designers, trade journalists, talent agents, insurers, musicians, social media managers, photographers, videographers, carpenters and other live event personnel and freelancers. Not to mention that many local retailers, mom and pop souvenir shops, restaurants, entertainment, theme parks and transportation options used by convention visitors during their visit on International Drive and across Orange County.

The goal of economic impact aligns with the OCCC’s mission to build and grow employment opportunities within the convention industry. This encompasses a wide array of professions, including event managers, riggers, audiovisual engineers, production assistants, stage managers, truck drivers, caterers, accountants, security personnel, logistics managers, show designers, trade journalists, talent agents, insurers, musicians, social media managers, photographers, videographers, carpenters, and other live event professionals and freelancers. Furthermore, the influx of convention visitors supports local businesses, from large-scale retailers and restaurants to independent souvenir shops, entertainment venues, theme parks, and transportation services along International Drive and throughout Orange County.

Every dollar a convention attendee or exhibitor spends during their visit creates and supports jobs in the local community, puts funds for vital services in government coffers, and puts money in the hands of tens of thousands of citizens. According to a study by PFM Group Consulting completed in 2023, the average attendee at the OCCC has a $2,536 impact on the local community – that number is how overall economic impact is estimated from events using the OCCC’s rentable 2.1 million square feet of exhibit space. The profound economic impact gives emphasis to the vital role the OCCC plays in sustaining a thriving community, supporting both large-scale enterprises and small businesses alike.

Executive Summary

The Orange County Convention Center provides a $3.9 billion-dollar total economic impact annually, to the Central Florida economy. Over 28,100 workers are employed directly and indirectly as a result of Convention Center business activity. An estimated 1,200 local businesses throughout the economy depend on Convention Center events, in full or in part, and provide support and logistics for Convention Center activity.

In recent years the Convention Center has averaged nearly 200 Meetings, Conferences, Banquets, Conventions/Tradeshows, and Sporting Events per year. Among the Conferences, Conventions/Tradeshows, and Sporting Events, this brings 1.5 million attendees to the market each year. In addition, many attendees bring one or more guests with them during the visit. As a result, 2.5 million attendees and guests come to the market each year because of Convention Center activity which takes place in Conferences, Conventions/Tradeshows, and Sporting Events. This translates into more than 2.7 million occupied hotel room nights per year. Occupied room nights represent 7,300 supportable hotel rooms or nearly fifteen fully occupied 500-room hotels. Tourist Development Tax revenues from this activity exceed $28.8 million per year. Orlando hosts 74 million total visitors, according to VisitOrlando, in part due to Convention Center activity.

There is significant property value generated from the hotels, support businesses and restaurant and retail establishments supporting needs of attendees, guests and the Convention Center itself. The estimated property value of these establishments is $3.2 billion, some 19% higher than in 2018, despite pandemic related property value declines. These properties generate $30.5 million in Orange County ad valorem tax revenue, on an annual basis. Another $20.8 million annually in ad valorem revenue is generated for the School District. The local-option sales tax, which replaces a portion of the school capital ad valorem taxes, totaled $8.1 million. The combined revenues to Orange County and the School District saves every Orange County household $124.19 in ad valorem taxes per year.

In addition to ad valorem revenues, there are County revenues generated from licensing, sales taxes, and fees for services. When compared with the annual cost of the County providing governmental services, such as police, fire and EMS, Orange County Convention Center business activity provides a net budget “surplus” to Orange County government of $28.8 million per year.

In 2023, the total economic impact of the Convention Center was $3,900,361,424. This includes direct, indirect and induced impacts. The number of event attendees in 2022 was 1,538,078. Dividing attendees into total economic impact yields $2,536 in economic impact per attendee.¹

^{[1] Source: The Economic and Fiscal Impacts of the Orange County Convention Center, 2023. PFM Group Consulting LLC.}

Orange County Convention Center Infographic of Economic Impact study from 2023

Community Impact

Convention Center's Commitment
to Corporate Social Responsibility

Giving back to the community is weaved into the Center’s mission and values. Through charitable contributions and partnerships with several of the region’s non-profit organizations, the OCCC offers clients opportunities to engage meeting attendees as part of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. This includes ensuring that items left over after events are donated to charitable organizations such as Great Oaks Village, Second Food Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, United Against Poverty, One Heart for Women and Children and Orange County Public Schools. Since 2013, the OCCC has donated nearly $15 million worth of food, goods, furniture and supplies to local non-profits, schools and organizations.

Economic Impact Study Announcement

The Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) generates approximately $3.9 billion in economic impact for the Central Florida economy each year – a significant increase that highlights the Center’s business activity according to a recent study by PFM Group Consulting (PFM).
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