OCCC in the News

Catch up on the latest news and all of the exciting things happening inside and around the award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) and the International Drive Convention District.

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How Florida, California, Texas, New York, Nevada, Illinois, Hawaii, Tennessee, and Georgia Are Using Tourist Taxes to Boost the US Tourism Sector: What You Need to Know

4/10/2025 11:26:00 AM|

Across the US, tourist taxes—charged on hotel stays and short-term rentals—are being used not just to collect revenue, but to actively fuel tourism growth and infrastructure investment. In 2025, Florida, California, Texas, New York, Nevada, Illinois, Hawaii, Tennessee, and Georgia are using these funds to expand convention centers, upgrade transportation, support local festivals, fund tourism marketing, and enhance traveler amenities.

Orlando tourism sees steady growth in February

4/10/2025 11:23:00 AM|

February was a strong month for tourism in Orlando, with growth across almost every category. Hotel occupancy rose by 1.6%, topping 80%, it’s the highest level the city has seen since March of last year.

Orlando-Area Projects Push Ahead Despite Headwinds

4/10/2025 11:14:00 AM|

Despite potential economic headwinds, Leo is bullish on Orlando. “There’s always something happening in Orlando,” she says. “With COVID, there was a bit of a blip, but things kept rolling. Since the election, people have been trying to figure out the norms, but projects keep getting financed.

Convention Center Briefs: Orlando, Phoenix, and San Antonio Convention Centers Launch Expansion Projects, Sustainability Initiatives, Tech Upgrades

4/10/2025 11:11:00 AM|

Three major U.S. convention centers announced event space expansions, new environmental practices, and enhanced tech capabilities recently.

Women in Sports/AAU at OCCC Attendance

4/10/2025 11:08:00 AM|

The coach of the Orlando Valkyries has seen her squad hit major milestones in its second season of play in the Pro Volleyball Federation, including a nine-game winning streak and a tie for the top spot in the eight-team league as of March 27.

Preparing Today's Leaders to be Future-Ready

4/8/2025 12:21:00 PM|

Never before has it been so important for leaders to be future-ready: to anticipate and act on change before it happens and to pivot strategies to stay a step ahead. T.D. Jakes' annual International Leadership Summit, presented by Wells Fargo, will give leaders at the intersection of faith and business a leg up on navigating a rapidly changing world as they learn from global leaders making an impact as innovators, entrepreneurs, and church and business leaders when the event returns to Orlan...

Orange County tourist tax collections hit record in February

4/8/2025 12:18:00 PM|

Tourist Development Tax dollars hit a record in February in Orange County, according to new numbers released by the comptroller’s office.

Defying tourism fears, Orange hotel tax collections shatter records

4/8/2025 12:16:00 PM|

Amid worries about the U.S. economy and international travel, Orange County’s tourist-tax collections are roaring, with the first five months of 2024-25 nearly $9 million ahead of the previous year when the surcharge brought in a record $359 million.

Mark Tester OCCC Leadership featured in OBJ

4/4/2025 2:32:00 PM|

17 People to Know in Tourism & Hospitality: Mark Tester, Orange County Convention Center

Mark Tester listed in OBJ’s People to Know

4/4/2025 2:29:00 PM|

Few industries are more synonymous with Orlando than tourism and hospitality. Thanks to an ever-growing industry in tourism, travel, hospitality, food and beverage, entertainment and more, the region's biggest economic driver — easily worth billions of dollars in impact and local wages.

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