Industry News
Orange County Convention Center tradeshows donate more than $1 million locally in 2006 - 100,000 pounds of food, eight semis of exotic tile, $150,000 in school supplies and a house among donations
ORLANDO, Fla. - While the Orange County Convention Center is known for providing an economic boost to the Central Florida community, it's also become a major source of donations for several of the area's charitable organizations. In 2006, it's estimated more than $1 million in funds and goods were donated to local organizations by visiting conventions and tradeshows and their exhibitors and attendees.
More than two dozens visiting shows made donations that included nearly 100,000 pounds of food to local food banks, more than $200,000 in educational supplies and grants and more than $100,000 in monetary donations.
"We're very proud of all the conventions and shows that choose to make a donation to one of our local groups," said Kathie Canning, the convention center's Deputy General Manager. "It's great to see our visitors are providing a positive economic impact to our community not only by spending locally, but also giving locally."
Some of the tradeshows and conventions that made donations locally include:
Coverings - Donated eight semi-trucks with more than 100 pallets of tile and tile materials to Tile Partners for Humanity, a partnership between the tile industry and Habitat for Humanity International. Also donated six benches to Give-Kids-The-World.
International Home Builders - Donated one of the houses constructed in the convention center parking lot to Habitat for Humanity, as well as $3,000 to the Adam Pierce Fund, $5,000 to the Orange County Law Officers Memorial and $3,000 to Orlando Children's Safety Village.
International Pow Wow - Made a $15,000 cash donation to Give-Kids-The-World.
National Automobile Dealers Association - Awarded $10,000 grant to Canine Companions for Independence Southeast, and donated a CPR mannequin to the Osceola Sheriff's Department.
National School Supply and Equipment Association - Donated more than $150,000 in products and supplies to the Orange County Title I schools.
Orgill Spring Dealer Market - Donated 130 pallets of tools to Habitat for Humanity Orlando.
PITTCON 2006 - Provided a $24,000 grant to Volusia County School District, awarded Orlando Science Center a $25,000 grant in conjunction with the Peabody Orlando, and presented additional awards and grants totaling more than $12,000 to support science education at the elementary, middle school and high school levels.
The Super Show - Donated $6,400 in sporting good equipment to Central Florida United Way.
Several events made major donations to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida and Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida totaling nearly 100,000 pounds of food. Those events making donations of food included:
-Central Florida Home & Garden Show
-Florida Restaurant Association
-Florida School Nutrition
-GlobalShop
-International Dairy, Deli & Bake
-Institute of Food Technologies
-National Automatic Merchandising Association
-Sysco Food Show
-University of 7-11
-World Financial Group
About The Orange County Convention Center
The Orange County Convention Center is the second largest convention facility in the country. Each year OCCC brings more than 250 events to the Central Florida area. As a result, roughly 1.4 million attendees contribute approximately $1.4 billion to the area's economic impact each year. For more information about the Orange County Convention Center visit our Web site at www.occc.net
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