Trade Show News

Orlando welcomed 76.7 million visitors in 2025, a 1.8 percent increase from 2024, marking the highest number of visitors in the city's history. Meetings business grew 3.1 percent in 2025 to 5.8 million visitors, with ongoing investments in the convention center and airport expected to attract more business.

Visit Orlando announced that the destination welcomed a record 76.7 million visitors in 2025, a 1.8% increase from the previous year, solidifying its position as the most visited US destination. The announcement, made at the Orange County Convention Center, also highlighted strong momentum in the group meetings segment, which saw a 3.1% year-over-year increase to 5.8 million visitors.

Orlando welcomed a record 76.7 million visitors in 2025, marking a 1.8% year over year increase, with domestic visitation hitting an all-time high of 70.3 million. The meetings segment posted a 3.1% gain, reaching 5.8 million visitors, reinforcing Orlando's status as a leading convention destination. This milestone was announced by Visit Orlando as part of its annual National Travel & Tourism Week event.

Orlando welcomed a record-breaking 76.7 million visitors in 2025, marking a 1.8% increase over 2024 and the highest visitation total in the destination's history. The meetings and conventions segment also continued to grow, increasing 3.1% year over year to 5.8 million visitors, further reinforcing Orlando's position as one of the country's leading convention destinations. Domestic travel drove much of this growth, with 70.3 million visitors from within the United States.

Orlando recorded its biggest March ever for Tourist Development Tax (TDT) collections, bringing in $42.9 million. This record high reflects booming hotel occupancy at 80.8% and surging travel demand heading into the summer.

A pre-dawn fire at the Orange County Convention Center on April 15, 2026, hours before Ulta Beauty World, underscored the critical importance of move-in safety and emergency preparedness for trade show executives. The incident, which involved a booth fire and sprinkler activation, was quickly contained, allowing the show to proceed as planned.

Private equity firm Apollo has acquired Emerald and Questex, creating a combined B2B portfolio. Emerald's portfolio includes Surf Expo, a major watersports and beach lifestyle trade show held twice annually in Orlando, FL.

The 2026 Orlando Sports & Entertainment Career Expo, hosted by Orlando City SC, is scheduled for May 13th at Inter & Co Stadium. The event offers networking opportunities with hiring managers from top sports and entertainment organizations in Central Florida, showcasing over 100 open jobs.

Visit Orlando's Travel & Tourism Event, the Signature Luncheon, was held on May 7, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center. The event celebrated National Travel and Tourism Week and honored the incredible industry professionals whose passion and dedication drive the success of Central Florida's tourism community. Guest speakers included Geoff Freeman, President and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, who focused on advancing the industry's full recovery and strengthening its competitiveness.

Visit Orlando hosted its Travel & Tourism Event at the Orange County Convention Center on May 7, 2026, to celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week. The event featured insights from the U.S. Travel Association and Tripadvisor, highlighting the industry's impact on Central Florida.

The SAP Sapphire & ASUG Annual Conference is recurring daily until May 13, 2026, at the North/South Building of the Orange County Convention Center. This major event brings together SAP users and partners for insights and networking.

The 2026 SBC Annual Meeting, scheduled for June 7-10 in Orlando, is expecting approximately 20,000 total attendees, including over 13,000 messengers, making it the largest annual meeting since 2021. Complimentary shuttle service will be provided to the Orange County Convention Center from partner hotels.

The SAP Sapphire and ASUG Annual Conference began on May 11, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center, bringing together SAP customers, partners, and industry professionals for sessions on AI, cloud systems, and business transformation. This event contributes significantly to Orlando's convention economy through hotel stays, dining, and business travel.

The SAP Sapphire and ASUG Annual Conference commenced on May 11, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center, running through Wednesday. This enterprise-tech event gathers SAP customers, partners, and industry professionals to discuss AI, cloud systems, and business transformation. It represents a significant convention week for Orlando, impacting local hotels, restaurants, and business travel.

The International Card Manufacturers Association (ICMA) announced its 2026 EXPO in Orlando, Florida, providing exhibitors with toolkits and a 'Meet the Exhibitors' feature in the April EXPO Insider. The event offers networking opportunities for manufacturers and personalizers in the card industry.

The Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) has expansion plans underway, with construction beginning in late 2025 and an expected completion in 2029. The project includes a new 100,000 sq ft ballroom and 44,000 sq ft of meeting space to connect the North and South lobbies. Additionally, pre-existing office structures in the West Exhibit Hall were removed in 2025 to expand Hall E by approximately 6,000 sq ft.

The Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) has begun construction on its $560-million Grand Concourse Expansion. This project will add 44,000 square feet of meeting space and a 100,000-square-foot ballroom to the Center's North-South Building, with completion expected in 2029.

Work on a $560 million expansion to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando is expected to begin in 2026, with a completion date scheduled for 2029. The project will add 44,000 square feet of meeting space and a 100,000 square-foot-ballroom to the North-South Building, with a second phase also approved.

Orlando, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale are developing their convention infrastructures to meet growing demand. The Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) is projected to host 185 events in its 2025–2026 fiscal year, with an estimated 2.3 million attendees.

The Orange County Convention Center completed its Grand Concourse expansion in 2026, connecting its North and South buildings. The article highlights the significant investment in facility expansion versus the lack of investment in attendee transit solutions, leading to long 'convention hikes'.