Orlando Orange County Convention Center: event and exhibition space

Orlando Orange County Convention Center (often simply called OCCC) is built for big-scale events.

It’s an easy place to “package” an international trade show, a congress with multiple parallel tracks, and business meetings with VIP areas — all under one roof.

The address everyone in Orlando’s event industry knows: 9800 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819.

Important: the campus has two major sections — West Concourse and the North/South Building — and each has its own access routes and navigation logic.

Video tour of the Orlando Orange County Convention Center

If you want to “walk” the venue in advance and feel the true scale, watch this walking tour overview.

Orlando Orange County Convention Center history: how the venue became an industry magnet

The story of OCCC is a series of expansions driven by market demand.

• February 1983: the first phase of the complex opens (originally as the Orange County Convention & Civic Center).
• 1987–1990: additional expansion stages add more exhibition and meeting space.
• 1992: “civic” is removed from the official name, and the venue becomes the Orange County Convention Center.
• 1996 and 1997: major expansion phases add new square footage and strengthen the infrastructure, including a large theater and lecture hall.
• September 2003: Phase V opens — what is now known as the North/South Building.
• August–September 2004: the center is used as an operations base for hurricane relief, while convention activity remains resilient.

Orlando Orange County Convention Center advantages in numbers

When venues are compared, the decision often comes down to numbers.

• 7 million sq ft total campus area.
• 2,055,222 sq ft of exhibition space (total across buildings).
• 479,190 sq ft of meeting and session space.
• 74 meeting rooms (across the entire complex).
• 6,227 on-site parking spaces.

That’s a key reason why the Orlando Orange County Convention Center is chosen for “heavy” formats where crowd flow, logistics, and parallel programming really matter.

OCCC buildings and layout: West Concourse and the North/South Building

OCCC has two main buildings separated by International Drive, connected by pedestrian infrastructure.

West Concourse: exhibit halls A–F and the “classic” big-show setup

West Concourse is loved for its clear hall logic and strong “stage-ready” infrastructure.

• West Hall A — 367,200 sq ft, 40 ft to truss.
• West Hall B — 275,400 sq ft, 40 ft to truss.
• West Hall C — area is listed in the building plans (used as a dedicated hall in combination with the lobby and service zones).
• West Hall D — 81,000 sq ft (270′ x 300′), 30 ft to truss.
• West Hall E — area is listed in the building plans (widely used for expos and hybrid formats).
• West Hall F — 49,468 sq ft (166′ x 298′), 40 ft to truss.

West Concourse also has strong content “anchors.” For example, the Linda W. Chapin Theater with 2,643 seats.

North/South Building: wide spans, flexible divisions, and signature architecture

The North/South Building is often chosen for events that need a real “wow” factor and lots of parallel activities.

• North Hall A — 287,495 sq ft, 40 ft to truss (can be divided into NA1 and NA2).
• North Hall B — 187,646 sq ft, 40 ft to truss.
• South Hall A — 287,495 sq ft, 40 ft to truss (can be divided into SA1 and SA2).
• South Hall B — 187,646 sq ft, 40 ft to truss.
• Two general-use areas of 92,466 sq ft each (NA1/NA2 and SA1/SA2 in certain configurations).

This building is designed for fast move-in and build efficiency. Documentation mentions underground docks, truck bays, and drive-in entrances for freight logistics.

Key session spaces: where to host a keynote and where to run VIP

At the Orlando Orange County Convention Center, it’s easy to build a program like “morning congress — afternoon expo — evening reception.”

Flagship spaces

• Valencia Room — 62,182 sq ft, with maximum capacity listed in plans up to 6,000 people.
• Tangerine Ballroom — 48,961 sq ft (featured in OCCC documents and materials as a key West Concourse ballroom).
• W340 Sunburst Room — an event and reception room with access to the Sunburst Hospitality Terrace.
• Linda W. Chapin Theater — a 2,643-seat theater for keynotes, shows, and headline sessions.
• Lecture Hall — a dedicated lecture/education format (mentioned in West Concourse materials).

Meeting rooms and breakout logic

Across the campus, 74 meeting rooms are listed. That’s ideal when you’re running multiple partner meetings and closed sessions at the same time.

OCCC infrastructure and services: guest comfort and exhibitor efficiency

A successful show is not only about square footage. It’s about how smoothly everything works on site.

• On-site dining: multiple food court areas and full-service restaurants across the campus.
• Business services: business centers, printing, and on-site service partners.
• Wi-Fi: free access is listed in public areas, with upgraded connectivity options available for events.
• Pedestrian bridges: connections to nearby hotels help guests avoid street-level traffic.
• Parking: 6,227 spaces are listed on campus — often a critical factor in Orlando.

Sustainability and green practices at the Orlando Orange County Convention Center

If your partners care about ESG, OCCC has solid reasons to support venue selection.

• Solar generation: the North/South Building includes a 2 MW rooftop solar farm plus additional ground-mounted arrays.
• LEED: the North/South Building holds LEED O+M certification.
• Center-to-Table Gardens: 81 aeroponic grow towers producing over 50,000 heads of lettuce and herbs per year for the F&B provider.
• EV charging: 12 charging stations are listed on campus.
• Reporting: post-event reports on water, energy, and waste are available (by billing cycles).

How to get to the Orlando Orange County Convention Center

The best part about this location is that you’re already in the “convention district.” Hotels, restaurants, and entertainment are all around — and many are walkable.

By car

• A key landmark by building: West Concourse — 9800 International Drive.
• The North/South Building uses separate access points, including Universal Blvd and International Drive.
• If International Drive is congested, it’s smart to keep an alternative route via Universal Boulevard in your navigation.

Taxi and ride-share

• The venue supports Uber/Lyft workflows and uses designated drop-off and pick-up points.
• The convention center website provides distance references and typical routes (airport, theme parks, downtown).

Public transportation

• I-RIDE Trolley: stops are located by the West and North/South buildings on International Drive.
• LYNX bus: routes serve the convention center area with connections to the airport and Downtown Orlando.

On foot and by bike

• Pedestrian bridges and marked crossings are available.
• On site, you’ll find clear tips for safe street crossings (signals, buttons, beacons).
• Pedicabs are common in the area — the ride is usually free, but tips are expected.

OCCC visitor tips: small details that save time and nerves

• Confirm the building right away in your invite and navigation: West Concourse and the North/South Building mean different routes and entrances.
• Allow extra time for walks inside the campus: the scale is truly big, and “five minutes” can easily turn into fifteen.
• Plan meet-ups at clear landmarks: major lobbies, the entrances to West Hall C, or near the Chapin Theater.
• Use the skywalk if you’re staying at connected hotels: it’s faster and calmer than catching transport during peak hours.
• Eat outside peak times: food courts are a lifesaver, but midday lines are predictable.

Major events and records: why industries “get business done” here

OCCC regularly hosts shows where deals, partnerships, and next-year budgets are decided.

• IAAPA Expo: one of the world’s leading events for the attractions and entertainment industry, with expansion plans across concourses for future editions.
• InfoComm: in 2025, the show was held at OCCC and published official attendance and exhibit figures.

Requirements and rules for event participants at the Orlando Orange County Convention Center

Below are practical rules organizers and exhibitors should keep in mind. They impact budgets, timelines, and your on-site production.

• Logistics and docks:
  • Freight vehicle entry goes through a security checkpoint.
  • Moving freight across the pedestrian Oversight Bridge is prohibited.
• Logos and safety:
  • You can’t block exit signs, fire equipment, or critical building wayfinding.
  • Placing logos on ceilings, walls, doors, windows, painted surfaces, and columns is prohibited without approval.
• Smoking:
  • Smoking and vaping are prohibited inside OCCC.
  • During show open and close periods the restriction is especially strict; only designated outdoor areas may be used.
• Partitions and room conversions:
  • Modular movable walls in halls and meeting rooms may only be installed or removed by OCCC staff.
• Climate control and additional hours:
  • For certain activities, air conditioning is operated within session and rehearsal hours.
  • Additional move-in/move-out hours for booths and products may be billed by area.
• Responsibility for property:
  • Documentation explicitly highlights the organizer’s responsibility for the security of materials and equipment.

Exhibition stand for OCCC: custom build and rental by ESBAU

At ESBAU, we work so your company doesn’t just “show up” — you look confident and leave with real meetings booked.

Want maximum impact at your next event at the Orlando Orange County Convention Center? Order a custom exhibition stand build from us — tailored to your product, goals, and visitor flow.

If speed and a predictable budget matter most, we’ll offer exhibition stand rental with a clean, brand-accurate adaptation.

Send us your participation details (hall, square footage, dates, objectives), and we’ll quickly prepare a concept, a quote, and a work plan aligned with the venue’s regulations.