• Through a collaborative partnership with Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings and the Florida Department of Health, almost 300,000 COVID-19 tests have been administered at the OCCC’s remote parking location since March 2020. More than 17,000 vaccines have been distributed to seniors at the OCCC since December 2020.
• For 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.

Orlando, Fla. – (Jan. 18, 2021) 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 distribution and testing amid the unprecedented global pandemic.

Recently, from Dec. 8-20, 2020, the OCCC welcomed three major conventions and trade shows including the American Kennel Club (AKC) National Championship presented by Royal Canin, Olympia Fitness and Performance Weekend, and the Central Florida International Auto Show. Collectively, the shows employed about 753 local residents with a combined salary range of $9 to $168 per hour. The average hourly rate at the OCCC for all full-time and permanent part-time employees, excluding management, is $23.26.

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.

From March to December 2020, the Center safely hosted more than 50 events under modified operations. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the OCCC enjoyed a successful 2019-2020 fiscal year, welcoming an estimated 667,000 attendees across 79 events, generating an estimated $1.49 billion in economic impact. Despite the pandemic, visiting conventions and trade shows donated nearly $840,000 in funds and merchandise, and approximately 1.1 million pounds of goods to Orange County non-profit organizations this fiscal year.

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.

“The events we host provide countless economic, employment and community benefits for the residents of Orange County,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “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.”

Through a collaborative partnership with Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings, the Florida Department of Health and Orange County Health Services Department, the OCCC’s remote parking location has successfully administered almost 300,000 COVID-19 tests since March. Additionally, since Dec. 27, the OCCC has supported the distribution of more than 17,000 vaccines to local senior residents. In past years, the OCCC has also served residents as the state’s 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.

The OCCC is committed to moving forward to find new, innovative ways to continue Meeting Safely Today for a Stronger Tomorrow. Since launching its robust Recovery and Resiliency Guidelines in June, all eyes have been on Orlando to lead its clients, employees, community, and convention industry to success. 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 Central Florida International Auto Show, hosted Dec. 18-20, 2020 at the OCCC, was the first nationwideauto show hosted since the onset of the pandemic.

The OCCC serves as the staging area for hundreds of public safety, emergency responder vehicles and aircraft from across the nation during Florida’s hurricane recovery efforts.

In March 2020, the OCCC offered its off-site and remote parking locations for drive-through COVID-19 testing.

Orange County seniors began receiving COVID-19 vaccines just after the holidays at the OCCC.

###

About the Orange County Convention Center
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center provides approximately $3 billion in economic impact to Central Florida annually. In recent years, the Convention Center has averaged nearly 200 events, including 115 conventions and tradeshows that attract more than 1.5 million attendees to the region each year. For more information about the Orange County Convention Center, visit www.occc.net.