Ocean Center is a convention center located in Daytona Beach, Florida. It opened in 1985 and is the fifth-largest convention center in Florida.
- Venue
- Ocean Center
- Town
- Daytona Beach, US
Ocean Center is a convention center located in Daytona Beach, Florida. It opened in 1985 and is the fifth-largest convention center in Florida. The Ocean Center features 205,000 square feet (19,000 m2) of prime meeting space; 42,000 square feet (3,900 m2) of exhibit space at the main arena, 14,000 square feet (1,300 m2) of space in the Ballroom and 32,000 square feet (3,000 m2) of meeting rooms. The new addition of the Exhibit Hall features 94,695 square feet (8,797.5 m2), ceiling heights: 22 to 45 feet (14 m), a drive-in door: 20' x 16', and 6 loading docks with self-adjusting levelers. 100,000 square feet (9,300 m2) of parking lot/outdoor exhibit space was also added near the Exhibit Hall. Thanks to a $3 million grant from the ECHO program, the county's Ocean Center has a grand entrance. The grant from the ECHO grants-in-aid program was used to create a Cultural Information Center (CIC). The funds were used for site preparation and construction of the CIC, an enhancement of 51,635 square feet (4,797.0 m2) of lobby space with gathering areas, restrooms and concession facilities. It displays works from the "Arts in Public Places" program and has dedicated areas for permanent and visiting art works and cultural displays from all areas of Volusia County. The grand entrance also includes a new façade and entrance along N. Atlantic Avenue. Other features of the new entrance lobby and CIC is a marquee mural on the west wall above the ballrooms doors, seen from inside and outside the facility. The mural will change with the center's exhibits. The center and its displays are in the highest pedestrian traffic area for the venue. The main arena seats 6,176 for ice hockey and arena football, 8,362 for basketball, 7,184 for the circus, 7,380 for ice shows, 8,582 for wrestling and 9,440 for concerts. The Ocean Center is also used for banquets, trade shows, high school graduations, conventions and other events. In 1985, the Ocean Center opened with 60,000 square feet (5,600 m2)