TDT funding sought by OCCC could help it compete

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) is asking for another $523 million in tourist development tax (TDT) funding, and the construction might help it compete with other markets.

“You have Las Vegas, Chicago, Orlando, and we were always falling number three,” said Walt McCreary, who supervises trade shows around the country, helping to run major events. He started working in Orlando in 2017.

According to McCreary, Vegas and Chicago are two venues that continue to grow, and the Orange County Convention Center needs square footage to compete.

He says recent smaller sporting events held at the convention center might be suited to the new hall it’s looking to build. According to its TDT application, the convention center wants to add a hall with retractable seating for roughly 8,000 people.

OCCC officials say this hall has been part of the North-South Building construction plan since its conception, and the completion is solely funded by TDT funds.

Leaders declined an interview about their TDT funding application until it is presented to the task force, but shared a statement explaining the project’s timeline:

“The North–South Building completion and expansion has been part of the Convention Center’s long‑term capital plan since 2001. The long timeline reflects the suspension of the project due to uncertainties from the various economic downturns the country has faced. Therefore, due to the manner in which TDT is allocated, we continue to request funding in order to fulfill the original intention and design of the North-South Building.”

Earlier this month, the National Association of Home Builders announced it was moving the International Builders Show permanently to Las Vegas. NAHB Chief Revenue Officer Geoff Cassidy called the OCCC a “fantastic host,” but said it needs more space.

“Orlando has been a fantastic host for the show for many years, and we are grateful for their hospitality,” Cassidy said in a statement. “The significant growth of the International Builders Show (IBS) and the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) over the years, however, necessitated a change in venues moving forward. The leadership of the National Association of Home Builders, the National Kitchen & Bath Association (which owns KBIS) and Emerald Expositions (who manages KBIS) decided several years ago to make the difficult decision to leave Orlando and make Las Vegas the shows’ permanent home beginning in 2027. The decision was made primarily due to the logistical needs, including the requirement for additional exhibit space and hotel room blocks, as well as the ease of transportation options.”

“Orlando did not have the space they needed,” said McCreary, who says space is a priority for these big trade shows.

McCreary says the new separate hall at the OCCC would allow larger trade shows to take over the entire North-South and West buildings.

Currently, the OCCC reports that it holds 200 events a year and provides $3.9 billion in economic impact annually to the Central Florida economy.