The Orange County Convention Center is the second largest facility of its kind in the country, and county officials recently heard plans to make it even bigger.

  • Orange County Convention Center wants 800,000-square-foot expansion
  • Would add multi-purpose spaces to North/South concourse
  • Would cost $500 million in tourist development tax

The project will come with a half a billion dollar price tag that officials say will be an investment in Orange County’s financial future, all of it paid with tourist tax dollars.

At more than 7 million square feet of space, the Orange County Convention Center drew in more than 120 conventions last year. That added up to nearly 1.5 million attendees and a $2.5 billion economic impact for the county and local businesses.

“We call it the multi-purpose venue," said Carla Bell Johnson, the director of strategic planning and development at the OCCC. "That is intended to be a really flexible space that can serve as an extension of the exhibit floor which we know right now has reached capacity during many of our shows.”

It seems the convention center is bursting at the seams. But Johnson says that is a good sign.

“It means that our destination as a whole is extremely attractive to conventions and trade shows throughout the world,” said Johnson.

A plan presented to Orange County officials on Tuesday, looks to expand the facility by some 800,000 square feet at a cost of $500 million. The plan is to add a new multipurpose venue, along with a grand concourse, to the North/South Concourse.

Orange County commissioners say the presentation even had repeat convention clients who say they could have bigger events here if there were more space.

“They also mentioned how important it was because with other venues, they don’t have the opportunity to actually speak to leadership that make decisions as it relates to expansion,” said Orange County Commissioner Victoria Siplin.

Siplin says that could mean a host of new construction jobs and new business opportunities for the surrounding area.

The project could be approved by the end of 2017. It will paid for through tourist tax dollars and could take up to four years for the construction to be completed.