ORLANDO — With eight marquee sporting events expected to draw 95,760 visitors, the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) is making a comeback this spring and summer. After a long, difficult year of COVID-related cancellations, more than 90% of Orlando hotels have reopened, Visit Orlando and the Center have rescheduled 47 canceled conventions, and 73,900 lost jobs have been restored, Casandra Matej, Visit Orlando’s new president and CEO, said in a March 19 commentary in the Orlando Sentinel.
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“Our tourism-based economy provides us with a positive long-term resource,” she said, “not only for the economic benefits in good times, but also for its ability to bounce back from bad times – which is where we are now.”
OCCC starts the year off in style
The OCCC got 2021 off to a flying start, kicking off the year with Surf Expo from January 6-8. Then, from February 9-11, industry leaders Informa Markets, Clarion Events and Tarsus Group teamed up to produce MAGIC Pop Up Orlando, Womenswear in Nevada (WWIN) Orlando Showcase and OFFPRICE at the Center.
The event was guided by the AllSecure Guidelines, a program developed in collaboration with industry associations, event organizers and venues that includes a detailed set of measures to maximize safety at trade shows. The event included widened aisles, open-plan booths, temperature checkpoints and mandatory masks, as well as continuous disinfection and deep cleaning measures across all show floors.
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During the weekend of March 6-7, the OCCC hosted three concurrent sporting events, including a cheerleading and dance competition and two volleyball tournaments, with 43,750 attendees. At the Orlando Boat Show, held the same weekend, boat enthusiasts were able to experience 21 of Central Florida’s top dealers, representing more than 70 manufacturers. Attendance increased 66% over the 2019 event.
Shows Move to Orlando
More than a dozen conventions have relocated to the OCCC from other destinations, including Vision Expo East in June, the National Wood Flooring Association in July and the ROOFCON 2021 training conference and trade show in September.
“Since the start of the pandemic, the OCCC has hosted more than 60 events, many of which were sporting events,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “We thank our partners for their continued trust in our center.”
Contact Casandra Matej at Casandra.Matej@VisitOrlando.com or Mark Tester at mark.tester@occc.net