Orange County Convention Center: Difference between revisions

| total_space = {{convert|4000000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}<br>{{small|(West Concourse)}}<br>{{convert|3000000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}<br>{{small|(North/South Concourse)}}<br>{{convert|7000000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}<br>{{small|(Total)}}

| breakout = {{convert|313140|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}<br>{{small|(West Concourse)}}<br>{{convert|166050|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}<br>{{small|(North/South Concourse)}}<br>{{convert|479190|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}<br>{{small|(Total)}}

| ballroom = {{convert|155656110784|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}

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]].<ref>{{cite web| title=United States Convention Centers (250,000 - 2.5 Million Square Feet)| url=http://www.cvent.com/en/destination-guide/us-convention-centers-3m.shtml| access-date=April 7, 2024| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108084737/http://www.cvent.com/en/destination-guide/us-convention-centers-3m.shtml| archive-date=January 8, 2012| website=[[Cvent]]}}</ref>

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.

The original building (the "West Concourse") once housed an 11,300-seat arena from 1983 to 1992. During its time, itIt hosted concerts by popular artists including [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]], [[Tina Turner]], [[Whitney Houston]], [[Styx (band)|Styx]], [[Aerosmith]], [[Mötley Crüe]], and [[Hall and Oates]]. UseIts of the arenause declined following the opening ofafter the [[Amway Arena|Orlando Arena]] opened in 1989. The arena closed in 1992 and was renovated and converted into the main exhibition hall in 1996.

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> Solar panels on the roof of the South Concourse provide 1 MW of power.

The '''Orange County Convention and Civic Center''' (OCCCC) was born out of a 1977 law passed by Florida's State Legislature. The thatlaw permitspermit 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.

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>

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}}Additionally, Rosen Plaza and Rosen Centre, withoffering 800 and 1,334 guest rooms respectively, straddleare situated along the West Concourse. andThey are alsolinked haveby 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.{{citation needed|date=December 2010}}

In Springspring 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> In spring 2020, the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] occurred and the expansion was cancelled citing shortfalls in tax collections necessary to fund the expansion. <ref>{{cite news |last1=Bilbao |first1=Richard |title=Orange County steps back from convention center expansion due to lack of financing |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2020/08/31/orange-county-delays-convention-center-expansion.html |access-date=29 January 2023 |agency=Orlando Business Journal |date=31 August 2020}}</ref>

* The {{convert|62000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} multi-purposemultipurpose Valencia Room