ORLANDO, Fla.—The Orange County Convention Center marked a major milestone with the official groundbreaking of its $560 million Grand Concourse expansion, a project expected to significantly enhance the facility’s capacity, connectivity, and long-term competitiveness in the global meetings market.
Construction on the expansion is expected to finish in 2029. The project will add 44,000 square feet of new meeting space and a 100,000-square-foot grand ballroom to the North-South Building, responding to increasing demand for flexible, large-scale event venues. The Grand Concourse expansion is designed to improve flow and connectivity between concourses while allowing the convention center to better accommodate larger, more complex conventions and trade shows. Once completed, the expanded facility is expected to attract higher-attendance events, increasing visitor spending and generating long-term economic gains for Orange County.
“For 10 years, Orlando has been named the No. 1 meetings destination in the U.S. by Cvent as a result of strategic investments and our community’s commitment to meet the evolving needs of planners and attendees,” says Casandra Matej, president and CEO of Visit Orlando. “The Grand Concourse expansion is a shining example of how Orlando will continue to meet those needs in an increasingly competitive marketplace.”
The Orange County Convention Center is a major economic engine for the region, generating approximately $4.6 billion in annual economic impact. The facility hosts nearly 200 events each year, including more than 115 conventions and trade shows, and welcomes more than 2 million attendees annually.
Beyond its impact on meetings and events, the expansion project is expected to deliver substantial economic benefits to the region. More than 800 jobs are anticipated during the construction phase, providing employment opportunities across a range of skilled trades and support services.
