Economic Impact of the Heart of I-Drive
The OCCC is committed to moving forward from the pandemic and finding innovative ways to continue Meeting Safely Today for a Stronger Tomorrow. Since launching its robust Recovery and Resiliency Guidelines in June 2020, all eyes have been on Orlando to lead its clients, employees, community and the convention industry to success. 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.
Every dollar a convention attendee or exhibitor spends during their visit, creates and supports jobs in the local community, puts funds for vital services in government coffers, and puts money in the hands of tens of thousands of citizens. According to a study by PFM Group Consulting, the average attendee at the OCCC has a $2,229 impact on the local community – that number is how overall economic impact is estimated from events using the OCCC’s rentable 2.1 million square feet of exhibit space.
The 7 million square feet figure, used by some media outlets, paints an inaccurate picture. It creates the impression that the OCCC is 7 million square feet of useable space, when in reality much of it is OCCC space that cannot rented - unusable spaces like back of house areas, kitchens, walkways, lobbies, hallways, parking, landscaped areas, etc.
The overall goal of economic impact aligns with the mission maintaining and growing jobs – convention industry jobs that range from event managers, riggers, audio visual engineers, production assistants, stage managers, truck drivers, caterers, accountants, security workers, logistics managers, show designers, trade journalists, talent agents, insurers, musicians, social media managers, photographers, videographers, carpenters and other live event personnel and freelancers. Not to mention the many local retailers, mom and pop souvenir shops, restaurants, entertainment, theme parks and transportation options used by convention visitors during their visit on International Drive and across Orange County.
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