The Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) and Visit Orlando took the main stage at the Professional Convention Management Association’s (PCMA) 2022 Convening Leaders conference during Jan. 9-12, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The convention attracted more than 2,500 convention and trade show industry professionals nationwide and from around the world.

PCMA Convening Leaders is one of the most highly attended events in the meetings and conventions industry where top convention, trade show and meeting planners converge to plan their events, share best practices and network in between educational sessions.

During Tuesday’s General Session, OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester and Visit Orlando’s President and CEO Casandra Matej provided an overview on Destination Orlando and the Center’s three-prong strategy that remains focused on health, safety and the OCCC’s Business Better than Usual campaign.

“Being on the main stage and participating in this year's Convening Leaders was important to show that our industry is united, able to host safe events, innovating and changing the way we do business for our clients,” said Tester. “The power of meeting face-to-face couldn't be more relevant in this new world, especially with supplier chain issues, new health protocols and the competitive staffing issues that many of us in the industry are facing. Exchanging ideas and best practices is best done in person.”

The duo, accompanied by members of the OCCC and Visit Orlando’s sales and marketing teams, outlined new OCCC renovations, hotel additions and improvements, theme park and venue innovation taking place throughout the Orlando destination. Team Orlando also hosted a luncheon for potential and existing clients to highlight offerings at the OCCC and Orlando.

“We are offering even more opportunities for planners to create memorable and well-attended events. From new hotels with unique event spaces to major renovations at our convention hotels and resorts, Orlando is evolving at a rapid pace,” Matej told the audience. “Our destination is home to more than 450 hotels and 127,000 rooms, so we can accommodate groups of all sizes and budgets. In addition, our convention district boasts over 75 restaurants and 100 entertainment venues. Our legendary theme parks are also adding amazing new attractions, many of which can host private events.”

In addition to its presence on the main stage, Team Orlando met with convention trade press and clients at the Orlando Promenade over the four-day conference to share best practices and experiences taken from the OCCC hosting more than 200 events since July 2020, one of the few nationwide destinations to host this many conventions during the pandemic.

For information on the Business Better than Usual campaign, visit www.occc.net/businessbetterthanusual. To learn more about entertainment and hotel options for convention and trade shows, please visit www.orlandomeeting.com.