Editing Orange County Convention Center
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{{Short description|Convention center in Orlando, Florida}} |
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{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2014}} |
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2014}} |
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{{Advert|date=August 2010}} |
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{{Infobox convention center |
{{Infobox convention center |
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| name = Orange County Convention Center |
| name = Orange County Convention Center |
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| banquets = 3,600 {{small|(Valencia Room)}}<br>3,120 {{small|(Tangerine Ballroom)}}<br>480 {{small|(Sunburst Room)}} |
| banquets = 3,600 {{small|(Valencia Room)}}<br>3,120 {{small|(Tangerine Ballroom)}}<br>480 {{small|(Sunburst Room)}} |
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| theatre = 2,643 {{small|(Chapin Theater)}} |
| theatre = 2,643 {{small|(Chapin Theater)}} |
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| total_space = |
| total_space = {{convert|7000000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} |
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| exhibit = {{convert|2053820|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} |
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| exhibit = {{convert|1104940|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}<br>{{small|(West Concourse)}}<br>{{convert|950282|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}<br>{{small|(North/South Concourse)}}<br>{{convert|2055222|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}<br>{{small|(Total)}} |
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| breakout = |
| breakout = {{convert|479190|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} |
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| ballroom = {{convert| |
| ballroom = {{convert|155656|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} |
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| parking = 6,227 |
| parking = 6,227 |
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| bicycle = |
| bicycle = |
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The '''Orange County Convention Center''' is a [[convention center]] located in [[Orlando, Florida]]. Opened in 1983 as the '''Orange County Convention and Civic Center''', it is the primary public [[convention center]] for the [[Central Florida]] region and the second-largest convention center in the United States, after [[McCormick Place]] in [[Chicago]]. |
The '''Orange County Convention Center''' is a [[convention center]] located in [[Orlando, Florida]]. Opened in 1983 as the '''Orange County Convention and Civic Center''', it is the primary public [[convention center]] for the [[Central Florida]] region and the second-largest convention center in the United States, after [[McCormick Place]] in [[Chicago]]. |
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The '''OCCC''' offers {{convert|7000000|sqft|abbr=on}} of space, {{convert|2100000|sqft|abbr=on}} of which is exhibit space. The complex is located on the south end of [[International Drive]], a major tourist area in Orlando. |
The '''OCCC''' offers {{convert|7000000|sqft|abbr=on}} of total space, {{convert|2100000|sqft|abbr=on}} of which is exhibit space. The complex is located on the south end of [[International Drive]], a major tourist area in Orlando. Solar panels on the roof of the South Concourse provide 1 MW of power. |
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The original building (the "West Concourse") housed an 11,300-seat arena from 1983 to 1992. |
The original building (the "West Concourse") once housed an 11,300-seat arena from 1983 to 1992. During its time, it hosted concerts by popular artists including [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]], [[Tina Turner]], [[Whitney Houston]], [[Styx (band)|Styx]], [[Aerosmith]], [[Mötley Crüe]] and [[Hall and Oates]]. Use of the arena declined following the opening of the [[Amway Arena|Orlando Arena]] in 1989. The arena closed in 1992 and was renovated and converted into the main exhibition hall in 1996. |
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On April 18, 2012, the [[American Institute of Architects]]'s Florida Chapter placed the building on its list of "Florida Architecture: 100 Years. 100 Places".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aiaflatop100.org/Current-Standings.cfm|title=Start Voting for Your Favorite Florida Architecture!|website=2017 People's Choice Award (Florida Architecture)}}</ref> |
On April 18, 2012, the [[American Institute of Architects]]'s Florida Chapter placed the building on its list of "Florida Architecture: 100 Years. 100 Places".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aiaflatop100.org/Current-Standings.cfm|title=Start Voting for Your Favorite Florida Architecture!|website=2017 People's Choice Award (Florida Architecture)}}</ref> |
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The center is host to hundreds of events annually including [[IAAPA]] Expo and [[MegaCon]]. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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The '''Orange County Convention and Civic Center''' (OCCCC) was born out of a 1977 law passed by Florida's State Legislature |
The '''Orange County Convention and Civic Center''' (OCCCC) was born out of a 1977 law passed by Florida's State Legislature that permits counties to collect a "Tourist Development Tax" on top of regular [[sales tax]] on hotel room stays, with the approval of the county's voters, for state-approved purposes. In a special election in April 1978, the voters of [[Orange County, Florida|Orange County]] approved a 2% Tourist Development Tax (the limit set by the state) to build a convention and civic center. That August, the [[Orange County Board of County Commissioners]] (BCC) approved a location for the OCCCC in Orlando Central Park, on International Drive, and drew up plans for a {{convert|325000|sqft|abbr=on}} gross area facility. The following year, BCC and Orlando Central Park agreed to give OCP one cent per taxed dollar of the '''Tourist Development Tax''' (TDT) each year for 30 years; in return, OCP would donate land for the initial facility, give the county an option to buy another {{convert|45|acre}} for future expansion, and commit adjacent lands for hotel and tourist development. |
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Phase I was completed on February 25, 1983 |
Phase I was completed on February 25, 1983 at a cost of $54 million. The [[Boston Pops Orchestra]] played at the grand opening on February 26, 1983, and 14,000 people attended the open house on February 27, 1983.<ref name="google.com">{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=W5QsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=uvsDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6399,2015760|title=Lakeland Ledger - Google News Archive Search|website=news.google.com}}</ref> |
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In June 1984, the BCC exercised its {{convert|45|acre|sing=on}} option for $2 million and began planning Phase II. The TDT was raised to 3% by a state law in 1986, and groundbreaking occurred in February 1987 on Phase II. It was completed in January 1989, adding {{convert|150000|sqft|abbr=on}} of exhibition space to increase it to {{convert|344790|sqft|abbr=on}} of total exhibition space, and adding {{convert|100000|sqft|abbr=on}} of meeting and support space. |
In June 1984, the BCC exercised its {{convert|45|acre|sing=on}} option for $2 million and began planning Phase II. The TDT was raised to 3% by a state law in 1986, and groundbreaking occurred in February 1987 on Phase II. It was completed in January 1989, adding {{convert|150000|sqft|abbr=on}} of exhibition space to increase it to {{convert|344790|sqft|abbr=on}} of total exhibition space, and adding {{convert|100000|sqft|abbr=on}} of meeting and support space. |
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In 2004, OCCC acted as a staging area for relief operations following [[Hurricane Charley]], [[Hurricane Frances|Frances]] and [[Hurricane Jeanne|Jeanne]]. Disruptions to convention operations were minimal, and a feared reduction of convention booking did not occur afterward. |
In 2004, OCCC acted as a staging area for relief operations following [[Hurricane Charley]], [[Hurricane Frances|Frances]] and [[Hurricane Jeanne|Jeanne]]. Disruptions to convention operations were minimal, and a feared reduction of convention booking did not occur afterward. |
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In 2009, the Hilton Orlando, a 1400-room luxury hotel, opened. It adjoins with the South Concourse of the Orange County Convention Center's North/South Building via an elevated, covered pedestrian walkway. The [[Hyatt Regency Orlando|Hyatt Regency]], a 1641-room hotel, also connects directly to the Convention Center via the Oversight Pedestrian Bridge and the Hyatt Skywalk. The elevated walkway connects the North, South and West concourses over [[International Drive]] and the Hilton Orlando. |
In 2009, the Hilton Orlando, a 1400-room luxury hotel, opened. It adjoins with the South Concourse of the Orange County Convention Center's North/South Building via an elevated, covered pedestrian walkway. The [[Hyatt Regency Orlando|Hyatt Regency]], a 1641-room hotel, also connects directly to the Convention Center via the Oversight Pedestrian Bridge and the Hyatt Skywalk. The elevated walkway connects the North, South and West concourses over [[International Drive]] and the Hilton Orlando.{{citation needed|date=December 2010}} Rosen Plaza and Rosen Centre, with 800 and 1,334 guest rooms respectively, straddle the West Concourse and also have elevated, covered pedestrian bridges connecting them both to the OCCC as part of Orange County's master plan to improve connectivity and safety for convention-goers. |
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In |
In Spring 2019 plans were submitted for a 340,000 square foot expansion of the North/South Concourse. <ref>{{cite web |last1=Powers |first1=Scott |title=Orange Co. kicks off contracting for convention center expansion |url=https://floridapolitics.com/archives/290935-orange-county-kicks-off-contracting-for-convention-center-expansion |website=Florida Politics |access-date=14 July 2019}}</ref> |
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==Facility overview== |
==Facility overview== |
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* A 200-seat Lecture Hall |
* A 200-seat Lecture Hall |
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* The {{convert|48600|sqft|m2|adj=on}} Tangerine Ballroom |
* The {{convert|48600|sqft|m2|adj=on}} Tangerine Ballroom |
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* The {{convert|62000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} |
* The {{convert|62000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} multi-purpose Valencia Room |
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* Three full-service restaurants/8 food courts |
* Three full-service restaurants/8 food courts |
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* Three business centers |
* Three business centers |