A new workforce study conducted by the University of Central Florida’s (UCF) Rosen College of Hospitality Management highlights the strength, experience and commitment of the workforce supporting operations at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC).

The study gathered responses from nearly 300 individuals representing a comprehensive cross-section of the OCCC workforce, including Convention Center employees, contractors, service partners and other industry professionals who work within the facility. The findings provide a broader look at the people and organizations working behind the scenes to deliver world-class conventions, trade shows, sporting events and other experiences at The Center of Hospitality.

Results demonstrate a workforce that is experienced, highly engaged and deeply connected to the Central Florida community.

Among the study’s key findings:

• More than 70% of respondents are not planning to leave the industry in the near term, indicating strong workforce stability.
• 60% have more than 10 years of industry experience, while nearly 80% live in Orange or Osceola County, demonstrating the workforce’s strong local roots.
• Approximately 73% describe their work as meaningful, and nearly 75% report enjoying their day-to-day responsibilities.
• 95% believe the OCCC contributes to Orlando’s economic future, while more than 90% recognize the Center’s role in generating regional investment and business activity.

“Behind every successful event at the Orange County Convention Center is an extraordinary network of people who bring their expertise, commitment and dedication to our campus every day,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “These findings reinforce what we see throughout the Center – an experienced workforce that takes pride in the work they do and understands the important role the OCCC plays in our community.”

The study also found strong levels of workplace collaboration and a consistent guest-first approach across the OCCC workforce. Respondents highlighted pride in contributing to successful events and supporting the region’s reputation as a premier destination for meetings, conventions and trade shows.

“This study provides a people-centered perspective on the Orange County Convention Center,” said Dr. Manuel Rivera, UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management Associate Dean of Research. “Employees view the OCCC as an important contributor to Central Florida's economy and describe it as a people-powered public asset.”

Beyond identifying the workforce’s existing strengths, the study also provides opportunities to further support long-term workforce development. Areas identified include strengthening career advancement pathways and professional development opportunities, providing greater visibility into compensation and career progression, and continuing to support early-career employees as they build their professions within the industry.

“The findings point to a workforce that is experienced, stable, and closely connected to the community, with many employees spending a decade or more in the industry,” Dr. Rivera added. “Employees generally report that their work is meaningful and worthwhile, while also highlighting strong coworker relationships, service commitment, and short-term retention. Collectively, these findings help illustrate how employees experience their work and their role in supporting OCCC's operations and impact.”

The research underscores the important connection between the OCCC workforce and the Center’s core mission of economic development. The employees supporting events throughout the OCCC not only help create exceptional experiences for clients and attendees, but also contribute to the business activity, employment and visitor spending generated throughout Central Florida. The research reflects a collaborative effort by Dr. Manuel Rivera, Dr. Stephen Pratt, Dr. Frank Badu-Baiden, and Ms. Margaret Zorrilla of UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management.

The full UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management workforce study is available online at https://online.fliphtml5.com/dnoeb/OCCC-Full-Report/.

# # #

About the Orange County Convention Center

The award-winning Orange County Convention Center provides approximately $3.9 billion in economic impact to Central Florida annually. In recent years, the Convention Center has averaged nearly 200 events, including 115 conventions and tradeshows that attract more than 1.5 million attendees to the region each year. For more information about the Orange County Convention Center, visit www.occc.net.