Orange County Convention Center Event Clients Work to Combat Hunger During the Holiday Season
December 20, 2022
Over the course of each year, the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) in Orlando, Fla., routinely works with sustainably minded clients to help them donate leftover food and unwanted materials after their events. With food and event waste still a glaring problem at many trade shows and conferences, this charitable effort not only helps keep leftover food and event items out of landfill, but also helps positively impact local community nonprofits working to combat hunger and assist those in need.
Most recently, the venue worked with two major event clients to collectively donate nearly 200,000 pounds of food to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida (SHFBCF), which secures and distributes food and grocery products to more than 625 local nonprofit feeding partners throughout Central Florida.
SHFBCF volunteers were able to collect 3,588 pounds of nonperishable, wrapped and canned food from exhibitors at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo (FNCE) and 196,285 pounds of fresh food items from exhibitors at the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA)’s Global Produce and Floral Show.
“As one of the largest convention centers in the U.S., we continuously encourage and empower our clients to implement sustainable initiatives during their event,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “We greatly appreciate the efforts of IFPA and FNCE to prioritize these food donations that have created a significant impact on our local community.”
During the center’s 2020-2021 fiscal year, nearly $220,000 worth of food and merchandise, including approximately 13,725 pounds of food, were donated to local organizations including the SHFBCF, Great Oaks Village, Libby’s Legacy, United Against Poverty, One Heart for Women and Children, and Orange County Public Schools.
In January, the NAFEM Show is expected to gather one to two pallets of food donations for SHFBCF, and several other event clients have expressed interest in setting up food donations after the holidays, as well as incorporating other sustainable initiatives at their events, according to OCCC officials.
As a member of Feeding America, the largest charitable domestic hunger-relief organization in the U.S., SHFBCF distributes approximately 300,000 meals every day to a seven-county service area including Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Volusia and Marion. With the help of food and financial donors, volunteers and a caring and committed community, SHFBCF works to solve the root causes of hunger while helping its neighbors thrive via job training programs, advocating for access to nutritious foods and inspiring community involvement. To learn more, go here.
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Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact
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