BREAKOUT DISCUSSION GROUP NOTES Description of personalities Trust their feelings about situations and people. React strongly to emotion. Warriors Consider truth more important that tact. Value logic, justice and fairness. Experts Trust what is certain and concrete. Value realism and common sense. Like to learn new skills. Become bored with things they have mastered. Group Leader: Ron Mickey Ellucian Group Leader: Keegan Hooks SAP Global Marketing, Inc. Group Leader: Deb Hanson American Society for Reproductive Medicine Group Leader: Gene Sanders SPI Q1 District: What additional improvements can be done to make Orlando the number one convention destination? Moving around the area; an easier transit system Creating a pedestrian area along I drive Parking solutions/price of parking too expensive Branding the area as a "place" not separating "district" and "campus"; a boutique feel; less chains; tie in the feel of Convention Area to restaurant row on Sand Lake Rd. Price of hotels; quality of immediate hotels "Image" Orlando vs. Vegas; Vegas is viewed as sexy and Orlando as wholesome, how to make Orlando a healthy balance Incorporate an entertainment venue/district (indoor/outdoor) within Pointe Orlando (arena capacity) Warriors Registration issues at the n/s bldg. Have a welcome OCCC table at the airport to welcome clients. Does not like staying at Hilton because nothing around it and not much in hotel not many restaurant choices. Need hotel expansion. Was told we are still looking at a Hyatt hotel. WESTIN hotel is there an update for pedestrian safety? Need more walkable places for food in the n/s building It's hard when hotel and Center have different tech company it's hard to make the technology connect. Difficulty finding hotels that can accommodate peak room nights and difficulty finding a low end property. Centers do not have enough food access and enough grab & go stations.
Not enough plug in stations. Limited seating. Seating and plug in stations should be together. Extended stay properties need to expand and be re done. No place to congregate in the n/s bldg. (we are looking at the font space of the north bldg where there is currently a pond. Could drain that and put outdoor space or hotels.) Marriot would be a great property (many agreed) Look at top of north building for green space (like San Diego) Experts Parking (need more spaces) Additional parking in the West Building Build up (parking garage) concern to get cars out back parking lot in West Bldg next to Rosen Plaza. Need is in the West Building for parking garage: o 7 stories o 1000 parking spots in each garage o 10 12 level needed o Clear directional signage North South Building Parking garage? A lot of drive up (rental car capitol) People Movers How do we get people around? Trams campus wide; currently just have overflow parking shuttles. One circulator for each bldg? District Wide circulator System is needed rubber tire bus system, clients think a covered moving sidewalk more efficient Something outside Hilton to West Building Moving sidewalk from South Concourse to North Concourse People movers on Oversight Bridge do not extend the entire bridge Additional meeting space in the N/S bldg.: needed on both sides, add ballroom, theater More branding in the parking lots (Nature, Water, and Sunshine) Colors more helpful than words QR codes at parking spots to help you remember where you park Parking attendants able to assist? Need to hire employees for parking garages and cameras for safety (people feel safe in Orlando let's keep it that way) Parking spaces with lights notifying when spaces are open Automated parking instead of parking attendants Signage blends into the landscape More restaurants and retail needed Good job of improving restaurants, need more in walking distance similar to Pointe Orlando. Off Universal Blvd open space or North end of the West Bldg Food available during shows off property, shut down I Drive to vehicular traffic in front of OCCC. Add restaurants within steps of the convention center Defining the Convention Center District What do you consider the "convention district"? Universal to North, West is I4, East is Universal, South is 528 This is the possible definition of the "district"
Some consider Sand Lake part of the "convention district" but others do not because it is not easy for their attendees to get to. Marketing the Convention Center District When thinking of OCCC as a campus, what can be done to help people not leave the campus? Sand Lake is twice as close as anything in Chicago but it doesn't feel that way to other planners. There needs to be good marketing for the Convention Center District. Attendees not knowing what is available is part of the issue. Marketing "the district" to attendees. They do not feel that the marketing of the "district" is the planner's job but it is the OCCC and the destination s job. Getting Around the Convention Center District Would having a rubber tire circular system to the hot spots help or some other kind(s) of public transportation? What about using the I Drive trolley just for conventions and taking people to restaurant row? What is the plan as the area grows to help congestion? Group sees the area getting more and more congestion. What can we do to get more cars off the road? What about closing International Drive off to every car and just allow foot traffic, bikes, and buses? It would give it more of a New Orleans feel. Denver does a similar concept as well as Boulder. "Rubber Tire System" refers to a trolley on tires and not on a track. The trolley would be free to the campus, Pointe, and the IDrive hotels. If you went to Sand Lake there would be a charge but maybe restaurants could validate. If you opened up IDrive just to foot, bus, and bike traffic you could have more entertainment, farmer's markets, shopping, outside art, add'l options. Maybe add a potential bypass to the campus. Pointe Orlando How many people can eat at The Pointe? Is there conversation about building an additional Pointe Orlando area in the open spots of International Drive? Yes, everyone feels we need dining options. On a lunch break during a show there is not enough seating at Pointe Orlando. Food Trucks This would be a great option which other destinations have outside of their convention centers. This is perfect so when shows are not in the food trucks can go elsewhere. You are not building additional restaurants to be empty when the numbers are down. This would be also a good fit for International attendees as a way to offer international food. Attendees have an expense account to eat but not to shop. This may be why retails options are Pointe Orlando are not making it. Retail at Pointe Orlando should be focused more on the business traveler (e.g. luggage, spa/salon, technology, dress clothes, high end gifts).
Restaurant Row/Getting to Restaurant Row Provide transportation to Sand Lake/Restaurant so attendees do not have to take a cab An easy access system to restaurants V Cycles Pick up and drop off by bicycles Maryland, DC, Nashville, San Francisco all have the cycles Chicago is rolling out divvy which is bikes for transportation Having a dedicated trail to get you to all of the important spots in the destination. This idea hits many topics at once: sustainability, less cars on the road, and easy access to hot spots. Cab $15 flat rate Does extend to restaurant row This does work for attendees but only if they can find a cab offering this rate. Another issue is finding a cab. Example There was a massive line at the Peabody waiting on cabs. Communication There needs to be a better communication system. Whether it is finding a cab or making a restaurant reservation. A general dispatch system is needed desperately. This system could also communicate about the flat rate. Are there cabs waiting for you when you are ready to leave dinner? It is only 2 miles to Sand Lake road but it seems much longer to get there. Is it safe to walk? Yes, it is safe but it would be better if there was an actual trail so it is a pleasant ride and not along a busy road. A lit trail would be nice so if you are leaving dinner late you still feel safe. Also, having police officers monitoring the trail would make people feel safe too. It was mentioned there are tons of areas open to build more restaurants surrounding the campus. What about entertainment options? The bowling will be great; planners haven't seen a ton of billiards. The groups agree that having more indoor/outdoor music would be nice because Orlando has the weather for it and a lot of resources to pull from with theme park talent, UCF, Full Sail, etc.. Bringing music down to the convention area would be a way to showcase local artists. Live music may also bring Central Florida residents to Convention Center District, too. Group would love to see an arena near the convention center. A venue to hold 7,000 10,000 people Anaheim has a plaza area where they can set up for a large concert. One idea was similar to Shamu Stadium at SeaWorld (halfway covered) or maybe a band shelter similar to Lake Eola. The OCCC is working with a developer for options. Noise barrier for I 4 will be needed. Campus: What additional improvements do you feel need to be done inside of the convention center? Other options for a general session that isn't as expensive; turnkey option for general session with "turnovers" Connectivity; reliable and fast data, wi fi; show office not having connectivity issue.
Bathroom sinks w/a no touch option N/S Building: removing the steps; moving sidewalks vs. registration space, most prefer the use of it for registration space Outdoor exhibit space in the front of building Media/broadcast center so allow for the media area to be used as a meeting or exhibit or entertainment space On site pharmacy/convenience store AMEX Lounge concept tied to the creative lounge ideas Taxi Line covers Warriors Sponsorship opportunity for destination lounges could they lease lounge to exhibitors? Privacy shades for glass windows Build it if it's in unused space Lounges do not make or break show. Would rather not have them if it's more economical Parking: parking needs improvement in the west building especially since it's used more. Universal Blvd should be used more We need to use I drive roads less. (Clients were explained to why parking garages haven't worked) Telescopic & Stadium Seating It's nice to have built already but for for some shows it would probably want own design, others agreed. Group agrees, other facilities have stadium seating, but it never is located where actually is needed. If permanently assigned will ruin design of general session. Chapin Theater Rather be ballroom space Many want to use own A/V Not user friendly rooms Clients like if the rules were taken away. Phoenix Center entire level for an executive conference center W330D = turn that into an executive area possibly turn that into a permanent executive area since it's not convenient for attendees Pink lady to conversion of Phoenix style boardrooms/walkway to EF meeting rooms Majority consensus would utilize an executive conference area See something, text something campaign need more signage around the building (Raymond James Stadium has this program) Need green rooms/bath rooms on back walls. When using hall A for general session, you walk straight, but nothing behind you for guests or speakers to use. Would love an ADDITIONAL exhibit hall for 10 15,000 people. Would like choice to have carpeted. Need more banner options for North/South exterior need to be more visible like west building
Experts Need Starbucks in the building Upgraded food courts with healthier options Need permanent and portable options Meeting rooms looped for hearing impaired do not currently have. McCormick has this currently in place. Chapin Theater should it be repurposed? Expensive to have events there build another in the N/S Bldg too big for some groups and too small for others... Option to break into smaller space. Can utilize just lower level, possible to turn into a lounge space. Outdoor Band Shell. Too hot, group does not feel it is needed; groups would not walk to Rosen Plaza for Band Shell. Need for retractable seating / telescopic seating in the N/S. Yes, some groups would have a need, but not all. Hall F will be multipurpose, carpeted, can still be used for exhibits Company looking at entire campus for other solar opportunities Improvement Plan (listed in priority order): #1 General assembly seating #2 Technology #3 Improvements to the North/South Building #4 Circular system around the OCCC #5 Food Court Food trucks may solve this problem North/South Building No place to have general assembly No connectivity The above reduce the attractiveness of the North/South building If you can attract more business by putting these items in then it will make the buildings equal. How much pressure can you take off the west building by adding these items? The convention center needs to connect the two buildings (South to North). You cannot get to the North side of the South Building without going outside. North Building specific OCCC is currently studying how to take part of the North exhibit hall to add riser seating to hold 5,000 7,000. At one time there were 5,700 seats in the building. The seats would be able go back into wall floor shows that are exhibits only. Doing this to North Hall would be good since it is the step child. It would be good build a walkway to the Pointe from the North. Walkways, in general, needed. Need more connectivity between the OCCC and surrounding areas. There is not enough meeting space in North to support the exhibit space Need to add more meeting rooms. Groups do not have the exhibit space to fit in South and could fit in North but can't because of limited meeting space.
West Building specific There is not a good keynote room in West Building Groups are too big for Valencia. Groups could use an additional 3,000 4,000 seats. Current Projects under Consideration for Open Space Add a parking garage o If people can get here and get around then they will not need a car o If you get people out of the cars then a garage is not needed Add outdoor space Add connectivity Flexible Space is key Technology OCCC should appoint a Technology Executive. This Chief Information Officer (CIO) from Orange County will oversee the technology at the OCCC. Everyone has mobile device and there is a cap on how many people can access wifi. All would like to see a higher cap on wifi. Most buildings only support 4,000 people. Need to support 10,000 or more. The wifi limit is based off of the gross square footage too. There may be technology limits for this issue? Also, many planners do not know where the charging stations are. More charging stations too...a few stations won't support 10,000 attendees. Additional CIP Recommendations Groups would like to see the facility have a uniform utility capability for their exhibitors. Chapin Theater Needs to be updated What about adding green space on the roof? Nashville, Chicago, San Diego have garden spaces on the roof. Riser seating is needed general assembly seating up to 10,000 Updates to these areas needed o Technology o Security o OCCC circular updates Food court updates Additional/Entertainment Space: What have you seen at other venues and would this be an added value to the OCCC? Outdoor sitting space in front of building; umbrella/covered area w/fans; include connectivity Exhibit Space Flexible ambiance space covered multi purpose space with a capacity of about 5,000 Using space along convention way Replicating space on north side of West Building in N/S Building Recreating what has been seen in San Diego Food truck option Warriors
Outdoor space at north end of west building possibilities o Ideas: eco friendly meeting venue, glass structures that hang over the wet land area. Comments were made that that side of the building is the "dead" side o Jack Discussed that Hall F renovations and additional meeting rooms and boardrooms will energize that side of the building Discussion on 6 acres how many people will it hold? Jack explained it depends on what we decide to do with the acres Clients said they would use it more for an outdoor reception but not for the actual event space. Would like an open space that represents Florida. Stage that can be put in the middle. Would like raised building with glass floor so you can see greenery. Concerned about meeting space taken away in WF N/S Bldg general session portable seating: takes away flexibility and is never in the right place. All for additional bldg but do not want space taken away All agreed that more breakouts in n/s bldg would be more beneficial Experts Denver Blue Bear Garden, bathrooms are now an issues, looking at adding restrooms. Would be nice to work with the center for closing reception instead of off property. Green space wanted to outdoor events. Location. Baltimore outside patio with herb garden, chef using herbs from garden utilizes roof space. Anaheim also has a similar space. Sail Area High priority of food options right outside both building, easy access Denver has added restaurants right outside the convention center not necessarily connect to the convention center. This will help when attendees arrive early. Retail area schedules can be set with Center Plate. Build elevated retail and restaurants above I Drive and keep I Drive open to traffic Central Lobby Grassy knoll for retails and restaurants See answer #2 re: Chapin Theater, riser seating, auditorium and utilizing the roof of facility buildings Creative Meeting Spaces: How do you think these lounges should be designed and have you seen a destination lounge in any other convention center? Lounges need to be converted into usable space if needed Lecture Hall on 300 Level to convert to meeting space Bring in someone to consult with on what's to come Clean, quiet, comfortable space that offers amenities Creating a space where phone calls and business could be handled "whisper rooms" (within the destination lounge) Destination lounge that can be placed where needed (i.e. in exhibit hall) Prayer, quiet, mother room, childcare are they still needed?
Warriors Discussed lounges above during question 2 after receiving more info some opinions have changed. If it's taking away climate control room then that's fine. Look really nice and could be useful space, but if the cost point where it's needed then it might not be beneficial. Would rather have the choice to make it public space or private. No restricted access for charging stations. Attendees already have enough fees Uses charging stations for sponsorships opportunities, would not want it stationary because every show would want this placed in a different area. Place cash bars in lounges for networking opportunities. Lounges would allow attendees to continue the conversation in the building instead of leaving for hotels Experts Arrangement with coffee tables and seating, appearance of hotel lobby (Long Beach), Denver has pods with wifi set into configurations. Furniture needs to be comfortable (not the wooden benches). Space for groups and singles have plugs close by like an airport JW Marriott DC has chairs with tables attached (like a school desk) a lot of little areas more conducive than a destination lounge. Long Beach has a nice restaurant at the back of the convention center, open all times, locals utilizing. Would prefer restaurants outside of building; want to go outside of center for a drink after meeting. Group wants an open lounge area, more pod like with chairs and plugs keep 2 restaurants in N/S, turn Climate Change room into open space use outside sponsorships like McCormick Place in a closed lounge area. Amex has it closed to VIP members. Small quiet rooms for relaxation, not cell phones, comfortable seating (meditation room) separate from a prayer room These are necessary. Attendees will not have to go back to their hotels. A large portion of attendees come to shows for networking. Layout should allow for sponsors. Atlanta has a great international lounge nice environment. Open spaces to have meetings Developing these spaces will not take away from meeting space. Where would you want to place these rooms? o South lobby A space would be an option Where in the West Building? o Press Room on the third floor? W300 o Should be a central area so both sides of the bldg can use it o Hall F is being turned into a ballroom flex space o Should the entire Hall F be used for a ballroom or should a portion go to the destination lounge? o Above F1 & F2 is another option No, should remain ballroom o What if Hall F was turned into two stories of hospitality suites? o Gallery Room 333 that overlooks the floor Not ADA compliant
o 109 & 110 Rooms may be an option? Kathie mentioned moving operations offices out of where they currently are and moving the offices to 109 since office is in a great central location. Red carpet lounges in airports would be a good example Some people looking to sit or work full connectivity Half of group likes bigger room that can be divided down Half would like 2 stories of hospitality suites for exhibitor suites & meeting space medical meetings moving away from hospitality suites because of sunshine act. Location, location, location determines if a hospitality suite will be successful or not. If it is far from exhibit space they usually are not successful. There should be 2 destination lounges one on each side San Diego has seating on parameters table & chairs Houston Airport has pods. Having pods down the open areas would be great. Cone of Silence Place seating down open space for seating. Placing comfortable seating areas in open space will eliminate having to build actual rooms. Having to step out quickly to take a call and not having to run down to separate room. Group would like to see a nice relaxing room with curves and pods throughout the open space. Adding a coffee machine in the lounges would be nice. Reservation Process for rooms or pods: Example Angelica Theater Northern Virginia Mosaic Center go on the web and reserve your seat before you go and you can also order things to be delivered to you. Parking Garage Most innovative Rivers Casino, Baltimore examples Light that is red or green above and it tells you where to go. Family Friendly Bathrooms Unique now but may not be in 10 years Wellness: What other meeting wellness options would you like to see in Orlando and at the OCCC? Pharmacy ran by third party (similar to Walgreens), possibly fill prescription through this company (off property), similar to medical concierge and be picked up here on location. Quality of air; filter, humidity... air filtration system Turnkey option for facilitating wellness: yoga, aerobics, running Partner with the hotels & YMCA for solutions Wellness App ("OCCC Cares about your health"); QR Code for nutritional facts and ingredients Where is the organic food, gluten free, vegan options offer list on website Rotating restaurants in and out of the convention center Concession options; are they healthy enough Warriors Wants to turn the negative idea of walking into a positive exercise experience. Used pedometers for attendees and at end of event turned pedometers in and show donated $1 for every mile walked.
Need toilet liners in each stall! Kudos to Centerplate for healthy options. More variety for vegetarians and more healthy quick options for retail. Experts CSR in house is convenient Maybe have other CSR projects along with Clean the World. Safe walking areas, fitness app with walking areas and healthy food options that could be incorporated with show app. Massage chairs on event basis, this is an added benefit to attendees, have them provided complimentary and permanent Vibrating massage chairs Retail shop to sell flip flops, shoes, panty hose (like a drug store) Utilize Pointe Orlando more More plants inside the building Incorporate the Florida feel to both buildings Pump scent into the building, orange scent at front door not throughout the entire building (Atlanta roasted nuts.) Trail around the center that shows distance. Many shows are incorporating fitness into their programs. Adding a trail around the OCCC for 5k runs. Turnkey 5K programs that show management can offer attendees.