(The Orange County Convention Center continues to anchor Orlando’s busy tradeshow calendar, hosting events that draw thousands of attendees and drive record-setting tourism revenue. Photo by Bill Morrow via Flickr.)
Convention attendance surges as new attractions debut, big events return, and city officials push to protect key funding tools
Spring momentum continued in Orlando as convention crowds packed the city, new attractions opened their doors, and state lawmakers debated the future of tourism funding. From record-breaking tax collections and upcoming tradeshows to big moves in sports, dining, and theme parks, April brought a surge of activity across Central Florida’s meetings and hospitality sectors.
Orlando Sets February TDT Record as Convention Attendance Surges
Orange County collected $35.5 million in Tourist Development Tax revenue for February 2025, the highest ever for that month and a 4.2 percent year-over-year increase, according to the Orange County Comptroller’s Office. The boost came despite a slight drop in hotel demand caused by 2024’s Leap Year skew, with occupancy still rising to 80.4 percent and ADR climbing to $225.50. The Orange County Convention Center reported a 39 percent jump in attendance over last year, driven by major events like MegaCon (180,000 attendees) and AHR Expo (43,000). TDT reserve funds also grew by $5.3 million, supporting upcoming projects including the Convention Center’s Grand Concourse expansion and Camping World Stadium upgrades.
Orlando Set to Host Major Tradeshows in May
Orlando’s May trade show calendar spans beauty, legal, HR, and franchise industries, drawing tens of thousands to local venues. Premiere Orlando – Beauty Show returns to the Orange County Convention Center from May 31 to June 2, expecting more than 66,000 attendees and 850 exhibitors. All Rise takes place May 28–31 at Gaylord Palms, welcoming 7,000 legal professionals for education and networking. WorldatWork Total Rewards Conference (WorldatWork) runs May 19–21 and brings together HR and compensation leaders. The National Franchise Show is scheduled for May 17–18 at the convention center, offering franchise opportunities and small business insights to entrepreneurs.
Epic Universe Set to Open May 22 with Major Economic and Tourism Impact
Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe opens May 22, marking the first new major theme park in Central Florida in over 25 years. The 750-acre resort will feature five themed lands—including Super Nintendo World, the Ministry of Magic, and Dark Universe—anchored by a central hub called Celestial Park. The park is expected to generate $2 billion for Florida and create more than 17,500 jobs in its first year. In addition to over a dozen new attractions, the resort introduces 32 dining options, three new hotels, and immersive design elements aimed at extending guest stays and positioning Universal as a full-week destination in Orlando’s tourism landscape.
Orlando Approves $29 Million Bid to Attract WrestleMania, Jaguars Games
Orange County commissioners have committed $29 million in tourist tax funding to bid for high-profile sporting events, including WrestleMania in 2031 and Jacksonville Jaguars home games in 2027 during the NFL team’s planned stadium renovation. If successful, the Jaguars would play temporarily at Camping World Stadium, which last hosted WrestleMania in 2017. The funding aims to boost tourism by bringing nationally televised events back to the Orlando area.
Mermaids Return to SEA LIFE Orlando with Educational Twist
SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium brought back its popular “Meet a Mermaid” experience in May, featuring underwater dive shows and dry-land meet-and-greets from May 2 through Memorial Day. The interactive event included mermaid performances in the Atlantic Ocean habitat alongside sharks, rays, and sea turtles. New this year was “Tails of the Ocean,” a family-friendly educational activity that explored how marine animals like manatees and dolphins helped shape mermaid legends. Guests earned collectible stickers by visiting learning stations and could trade them for themed merchandise, adding a conservation-focused layer to the aquarium’s seasonal programming.
SeaWorld Opens Expedition Odyssey Following April Announcement
SeaWorld Orlando officially opened Expedition Odyssey on May 1, following an April announcement that previewed the ride’s immersive Arctic theme. The family-friendly attraction combines motion-based ride tech with real-world Arctic footage, taking guests through tundra, glaciers, and icy ocean scenes featuring polar bears, belugas, and orcas. The experience ends with an encounter zone, where guests meet real Arctic animals, including Uki, an orphaned Pacific walrus calf rescued in Alaska. The attraction expands SeaWorld’s focus on conservation storytelling, joining last year’s Penguin Trek in the park’s Antarctica realm.
Orlando Adds Three Michelin Stars Across Two Restaurants, Outpaces Miami in Latest Guide
Orlando’s dining scene earned new national attention in April as the 2025 Michelin Guide Florida awarded three stars across two restaurants. Sorekara in Baldwin Park received two stars—making it Florida’s newest two-star restaurant—while Winter Park’s Ômo by Jônt earned one. The awards were announced during a ceremony held in Orlando, which outpaced Miami this year in new stars. The shift marks a notable moment for Central Florida’s culinary growth, as the city gains recognition for high-end dining beyond its tourism reputation.
Orlando Officials Push Back on Proposed TDT Changes
Florida lawmakers are considering legislation that could reshape how counties use Tourist Development Tax (TDT) revenue, with implications for venues like the KIA Center and Camping World Stadium. The proposal would dissolve local tourist development councils and allow counties to redirect hotel tax revenue toward property tax relief, raising concerns in tourism-heavy regions like Orlando. City officials say the changes could impact funding for previously approved projects that support conventions, sports, and entertainment. Rep. Anna Eskamani of Orlando expressed hope that legislative negotiations would preserve local control and flexibility for future TDT use.
